N.Y. Extends Workers’ Comp Eligibility Deadline for 9/11 Responders

World Trade Center responders now have another year — until August 14, 2008 — to file the paperwork needed to claim workers’ compensation benefits if they become ill in the future.

The registration deadline would have been August 14 of this year had the state Legislature had not acted to extend it.

“Those who responded to the 9/11 disaster as workers or volunteers have another year to let us know they were on site,” New York Workers’ Compensation Board Chair Donna Ferrara said. “We want to make sure they preserve their eligibility should they become ill in the future.”

The law (S.4067/A.4940), which went into effect July 3, 2007 after being signed by Gov. Eliot Spitzer, allows people who worked or volunteered at the World Trade Center to register with the Workers’ Compensation Board and reserve the right to claim benefits if they become ill at a later date. It amends workers’ compensation law by giving those who participated in the rescue, recovery and clean-up until Aug. 14, 2008, to file a WTC-12 form.

While officials say it is unclear how many people participated in the rescue, recovery and clean-up of the World Trade Center, more than 19,000 people have filed a WTC-12 form, registering as responders and volunteers.

Source: New York Workers’ Compensation Board
www.wcb.state.ny.us.