By Mark D. Stein Staten Island Advance
At the JCC in Sea View, attendees get information on the 9/11 compensation fund.Staten Island Advance/Hilton Flores
Folks who worked, lived or volunteered in, near and around exposure zones and who suffered physical harm as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, can still claim help.
But time is running out.
The deadline to sign up for the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund is Oct. 3. Those encouraged to register are anyone who knew or had reason to know of physical harm or illness resulting from the 9/11 attacks before Oct. 3, 2011.Rep. Michael Grimm (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn) staged a forum Wednesday night at the Joan and Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center in Sea View to spread word to people impacted by 9/11.
“Some people might not be aware [about what’s offered by the VCF]. Anyone that was in the exposure zone may be eligible,” he said, noting it’s an effort to preserve the rights of the many individuals who tirelessly labored at multiple locations assisting with the relief and cleanup effort.
About 30 people attended Wednesday’s event, which educated folks about how they can register, eligibility, and other details.
Grimm recalled how he saw the same volunteers working at the World Trade Center site and Fresh Kills Landfill, adding the such people, as well as first responders, firefighters and police officers, may be eligible for benefits.
The administrator who oversees the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, Sheila Birnbaum, also addressed the attendees.
For more information and to register, consult www.vcf.gov.
