Thursday, March 15, 2018

World Trade Center Workers and Responders Urged to Register Their Service

 Doing So Will Preserve Their Rights to
Future Workers' Compensation Benefits

Governor Andrew Cuomo today urged all workers and responders who participated in the rescue, recovery, or clean-up of the World Trade Center following the 9/11 attacks to register their service with the New York State Workers' Compensation Board by September 11, 2018, in order to preserve their rights to future benefits. This will allow workers and volunteers to file a claim for medical care and lost wages in the event that they become ill from a qualifying medical condition as a result of their World Trade Center duties.

"There are no words to express the gratitude we as New Yorkers feel for those who risked their lives in the rescue and recovery efforts following the 9/11 terror attacks," Governor Cuomo said. "What we can do, is ensure that these brave individuals and their families are protected should their selfless efforts result in any harm to their health. I strongly encourage anyone who worked or volunteered at Ground Zero to register their service so we can provide benefits they deserve should they require them."

On September 11, 2016, Governor Cuomo signed legislation that extends workers' compensation eligibility and benefits for World Trade Center workers and responders. Most notably, the legislation reopened the World Trade Center Registry, extending the deadline period for registering their service to September 11, 2018.

Workers and responders, including volunteers, must have participated in rescue, recovery, and clean-up operations between September 11, 2011 and September 11, 2002, at any of the following locations: Ground Zero; Fresh Kills Landfill; on the barges; the piers; or at the morgues. Those who are part of the New York State workers' compensation system are eligible and should promptly register their service with the NYS Workers' Compensation Board, if they have not done so already.

New York State Workers' Compensation Board Chair Clarissa Rodriguez said, "The Workers' Compensation Board will assist World Trade Center workers and volunteers with this important registration any way we can, including providing forms in multiple languages and free notary services at any of our Board locations."

For workers and volunteers who have not yet registered, by September 11, 2018, you must: complete the Registration of Participation in World Trade Center Rescue, Recovery and/or Clean-up Operations (Form WTC-12), which is also available in multiple languages on the New York State Workers' Compensation Board's website; sign the completed WTC-12 and have it notarized; and submit the original notarized registration form to the Workers' Compensation Board at P.O. Box 5205, Binghamton, N.Y. 13902.

For more information and assistance, please call 877-632-4993. Governor Cuomo also urges workers and responders to use the World Trade Center Health Programs for ongoing monitoring and care. For more information, click here.

The Board's dedicated World Trade Center work groups and hearing parts have functioned continuously since September, 2001.

Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

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