Why You Should Document Your Proof of Presence
While it is common knowledge that first responders were covered for their illnesses resulting from exposure to 9/11, many who lived, worked, or attended schools in the exposure area were and are still unaware that they too may be entitled to the same healthcare benefits and compensation. This was not highly publicized.
If you were working and/or attending classes at BMCC between September 11, 2001, and May 30, 2002, you were exposed to the same toxic dust as the first responders. Twenty years later, more people have died since 9/11 than those who died on 9/11. There are 68 cancers that have been approved by the WTCHP as presumed to be caused by exposure to 9/11 toxic dust.
The Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) was established by the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 and provides compensation for economic and non-economic loss to any individual who suffered physical harm as a result of 9/11 or the aftermath. To be eligible, survivors must have a physical health condition certified by the WTCHPand have been below Canal Street* on 9/11 or during the clean-up period that ended on May 30, 2002. (Survivors include area residents, workers, and students.)
The importance of documenting your proof of presence in the exposure area cannot be overemphasized. To be eligible for compensation from the VCF, you must be able to prove that you were in the New York City Exposure Zone on 9/11/01, or during the clean-up activity that ended on 5/30/2002. Your specific circumstances determine the number and type of documents you need to provide. One way to prove presence is by providing two witness presence statements from individuals who can attest to your presence in the exposure area (someone who witnessed your presence at BMCC). For additional information on the witness presence statement and access to the form please see: https://www.vcf.gov/forms/witness-presence-statement. Additional types of documentation that can help you to prove presence are discussed below.
Even if you have not experienced a WTC-related physical health conditions, and are not currently ill, you should still collect your proof of presence documentation (e.g., employment letter, transcripts, etc.) now and register with the VCF to protect your right to file a claim in the future.
Although it is optional, you should consider completing a Victim Presence Statement. The Victim Presence Statement allows you to provide additional details regarding your presence for future reference. However, it is not sufficient to establish presence by itself. For additional information and a copy of the form please see: https://www.vcf.gov/forms/victim-presence-statement.
The normal deadline for registering with the VCF is 2 years from the certification of an illness by the WTCHP or two years after the death of a victim. With the permanent reauthorization of the VCF in 2019, the Special Master of VCF opened a two-year window which allowed previously time barred claims (claims which were not filed within the two-year time limit) to be submitted. This extension, however, expired on July 29, 2021. As indicated above, if you were unaware of this deadline, there is a possibility your registration will be permitted, and you should determine how best to pursue such registration. For additional information on registering your claim please see: https://www.vcf.gov/sites/vcf/files/media/document/2020-08/VCFRegisterInfo.pdf
Faculty
If you were a full-time or an adjunct faculty who taught at BMCC during the Fall 2001 and/or Spring 2002 semesters, and you meet the eligibility criteria for each of the Programs, you may qualify for free medical care from the WTCHP and compensation from the VCF.
To be eligible for compensation from the VCF, you need to have a certification from the WTCHP establishing the presence of a 9/11-related physical health condition. VCF applicants will also need to establish their presence in Manhattan, below Canal Street on 9/11 or during the clean-up activity that ended on May 30, 2002. The VCF does not care how long you were there – they just need proof you were in the VCF New York City Exposure Zone at some point during those dates.
Documentation that can Help Establish Your Presence in the Exposure Zone
- Letter of employment from Human Resources specifying dates of employment, location of employment, job function and indication whether it is full-time or adjunct position, as well as attestation that you were not on leave (if applicable). OR
- Two witness statements from colleague(s) and/or a Chairperson who witnessed your presence at BMCC during the exposure period.
Adjunct faculty need to identify the class(es) taught, days and time, and location in order to substantiate their presence in the exposure zone. If they are retained in your personnel file, the best documentation would be your Faculty Workload Report and/or PAFs for the Fall 2001 and Spring 2002 semesters.
We recommend you ask the BMCC Human Resources Department to determine whether any of these documents are in your personal personnel file, and, if so, submit them as supporting documentation to your claim.
Staff
If you worked at BMCC full-time or part-time between September 11, 2001, and May 30, 2002, you may be eligible for free medical care from the WTCHP and compensation from the VCF.
To be eligible for compensation from the VCF, you need to have a certification from the WTCHP establishing the presence of a 9/11-related physical health condition. VCF applicants will also need to establish their presence in Manhattan, below Canal Street on 9/11 or during the clean-up activity that ended on May 30, 2002. The VCF does not care how long you were there – they just need proof you were in the VCF New York City Exposure Zone at some point during those dates.
Documentation that can Help Establish Your Presence in the Exposure Zone
- Letter of employment from Human Resources specifying dates of employment, location of employment, job function, full-time or part-time, and hours worked, as well as attestation that you were not on leave (if applicable). OR
- Two witness presence statements from colleague(s) and/or a supervisor who witnessed your presence at BMCC during the exposure period.
Students
If you were a full-time or a part-time student who attended BMCC during the Fall 2001 and/or Spring 2002 semesters, you may be eligible for free medical care from the WTCHP and compensation from the VCF.
To be eligible for compensation from the VCF, you need to have a certification from the WTCHP establishing the presence of a 9/11-related physical health condition. VCF applicants will also need to establish their presence in Manhattan, below Canal Street on 9/11 or during the clean-up activity that ended on May 30, 2002. The VCF does not care how long you were there – they just need proof you were in the VCF New York City Exposure Zone at some point during those dates.
Documentation that can Help Establish Your Presence in the Exposure Zone
- Official transcript showing classes you attended during the academic year, Fall 2001-and/or Spring 2002. Attestation from BMCC that the transcript is accurate, OR a letter from your legal counsel certifying that the transcript is a true and accurate copy of what was received from the BMCC.
- Two witness presence statements from fellow students, faculty or staff who witnessed your presence at BMCC during the exposure period.
Request for Verification of Student Transcript
To request a copy of your official student transcript and verification of your transcript, download request form and submit to:
Mohammad Alam,
Registrar Office
registrar@bmcc.cuny.edu