9/11 Zadroga Victim Compensation Fund Open for New Claims as of 10/31/2011

Yesterday, September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Special Master Sheila Birnbaum reopened the Fund for new claims. Claimants can now file for "eligibility" determinations online.

To her credit, Ms. Birnbaum appears to be running a tight ship and is rolling out this complex compensation program in a timely and  understandable way.  This simplicity will be of great help to victims and their families.

In an effort to assist victims with the filing of claims, the Special Master also announced two upcoming legal clinics in Manhattan staffed by volunteer lawyers.   Such outreach, like her Town Hall meetings that preceded the reopening of the Fund, has quickly established Ms. Birnbaum as an equal to the much lionized former VCF Special Master, Kenneth Feinberg.  US Attorney General Eric Holder should be credited for an excellent choice. 

The 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund is currently taking "eligibility" applications, which are different than the actual "compensation claim" forms which will be released at the end of November 2011.  Potential claimants with questions can call the official Victim Compensation Fund Toll Free Number at 1-855-885-1555, or feel free to call me at 1-855-WTC-INFO (1-855-982-4636).