New ‘kick’ for those suffering

New Yorkers who survived 9/11 only to be sickened by the toxic dust swirling around Ground Zero were stunned to learn Friday that the federal government will be cutting compensation payouts as much as 70% — fearing that the decision will leave scores of ill survivors with little to live on.

“It's pretty outrageous, especially since more and more people are coming down with a serious illness connected to 9/11,” said attorney Jeff Goldberg, who represented dozens of first responders suffering from illnesses linked to their time at Ground Zero. “It shows that everyone is forgetting that people are still suffering from the after-effects of 9/11.”

On Friday, 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Special Master Rupa Bhattacharyya announced that those currently applying for federal compensation will see roughly half of the money other survivors received a few years earlier. Those that applied after Feb. 1 are expected to receive about 70% less than what was first given out .

Gerard Fitzgerald, the president of the United Firefighters Association, called the cuts unconscionable.

“(It's) immoral to leave families without the very little compensation their loved ones earned,” Fitzgerald said.

The news came as a blow to FDNY EMT and 9/11cancer sufferer Jennifer Dougherty, who is still negotiating for assistance from the fund.

“I can't believe it. That really stinks,” she said as she was being treated for the flu on Friday. “This is a good thing that helps a lot of people like me suffering from 9/11 illnesses.”

“This is another kick in the stomach for Jen,” her attorney, Matthew McCauley said. e subject to at least a 50% reduction.”

Police Commissioner James O'Neill told the Daily News, “Congress needs to do the right thing and fully invest in the fund.”