$ 1B for GZ heroes
Ailing workers’ fund hits milestone
The fund for Sept. 11 victims has awarded more than $ 1 billion to date, with first responders receiving the bulk of the cash, according to a report released Wednesday.
Responders are getting $ 973 million of the 9/ 11 Victim Compensation Fund, which awards medical and financial aid to those who have fallen ill from exposure to toxic chemicals at Ground Zero.
Retired NYPD Detective John Walcott, stricken with leukemia afterworking months at the site of the 9/ 11 lower Manhattan terror attacks, was one of those compensated.
“I know in the NYPD there have been so many guys who’ve died of heart attacks this year, all from 9/ 11 conditions. Hopefully . . . [ the fund keeps] going,” he said.
Award amounts for 4,415 claimants have already been decided, and 10,549 additional claimants have been approved for compensation with amounts still to be determined, the fund said.
The highest single payout has been $ 4.1 million— with the average at $ 241,000.
Claimants are getting 10 percent of their awards now and the rest by 2017, when the fund closes.
“While we are making progress, we will not be satisfied until we process as many claims as possible in the shortest amount of time,” said VCF Special Master Sheila Birnbaum in a statement.
The latest total award figure — which VCF releases each quarter — comes with a caveat.
Because of limited funding, VCF said it can’t yet determine the amount of victims’ final payments.
“If the total loss calculations for all claims exceeds the VCF’s funding limit, the final payments on all claims will be further prorated and the amount of your combined payments will be less than the full amount of your loss calculation,” Birnbaum said.
Some 719 victims stricken with cancer will split $ 190 million.
The claims of another 2,043 applicants with cancer have been approved, with award determinations in the works.
More than 18,800 claims have been submitted to date and new ones can be submitted through October 2016.
This time last year, about 13,800 claims had been submitted, with 5,600 decisions rendered.
As of March of this year, the fund has paid out only $ 76 million, officials told The Post.
John Feal, president of the Fealgood Foundation, a Ground Zero advocacy group, applauded the $ 1 billion payout but said more needs to be accomplished.
“I believe VCF is finally on the right track to reaching its goal,” he said. “While it’s hard to tell those in the 9/ 11 community to sit back and wait, the reality is the numbers are better but, more importantly, we have to get this Zadroga bill renewed.”
The Zadroga Act, which funds the $ 2.7 billion VCF, is set to expire next year.
Feal will meet with members of Congress next week to push to get an extension passed.