Where residents, first responders can learn more about Sept. 11 health-related compensation

Beth Ann Miller, The Daily American
Updated ·2 min read

Editor's Note: This story was updated Oct. 25, 2023, to better describe who is eligible for assistance.

SHANKSVILLE ― To anyone who was involved in the initial disaster response, recovery and cleanup efforts near the Flight 93 crash site on Sept. 11, 2001, there’s an important meeting at 6 p.m. Nov. 8 that you will want to attend.

Representatives from the Sept. 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) and the World Trade Center Health Program (WTC) will speak at a town hall meeting at the Shanksville Volunteer Fire Department, to present information about these health-related programs to residents, first responders and their families.

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In this Daily American file photo, first responders examine the site where Flight 93 went down in Shanksville on Sept. 11, 2001.
In this Daily American file photo, first responders examine the site where Flight 93 went down in Shanksville on Sept. 11, 2001.

Each of the programs has its own purpose and enrollment criteria, so an individual who enrolls in one program is not automatically enrolled in the other program.

Sept. 11th Victim Compensation Fund

According to vcf.gov, this fund provides financial compensation to first responders who worked at the Flight 93 crash site between Sept. 11, 2001, and May 30, 2002, and have been diagnosed with a 9-11 related illness or injury. The VCF program is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice.

In this Daily American file photo, first responders and other authorized personnel are shown working at the Flight 93 crash site in Shanksville on Sept. 11, 2001.
In this Daily American file photo, first responders and other authorized personnel are shown working at the Flight 93 crash site in Shanksville on Sept. 11, 2001.

VCF Special Master Allison Turkel will be at the Shanksville meeting to explain the specifics of the program and how to register. Individuals do not have to be currently sick or injured to register, as registration just allows them the option of filing a claim in the future.

More information on the VCF program can be found at vcf.gov or by calling 1-855-885-1555.

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In this Daily American file photo, first responders examine the site where Flight 93 went down in Shanksville on Sept. 11, 2001.
In this Daily American file photo, first responders examine the site where Flight 93 went down in Shanksville on Sept. 11, 2001.

World Trade Center Health Program

Representatives will also be at the Shanksville meeting to explain the WTC program, which provides medical monitoring and treatment to individuals who have health conditions related to exposure to the events of 9/11.

To be eligible for this program, individuals must have worked at least four hours at the Shanksville crash site between Sept. 11 and Oct. 3, 2001. Eligible persons are an “active or retired member of a fire or police department (fire or emergency personnel), worked for a recovery or cleanup contractor, or was a volunteer” at the Shanksville crash site, according to the program website, cdc.gov/wtc/eligiblegroups.html.

Medical care is provided locally, through a provider network affiliated with the WTC program.

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This program is administered by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

More information on the WTC program is available at cdc.gov/wtc or by calling 1-888-982-4748.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Shanksville meeting to offer information about Sept. 11-related health programs