An Updated 2025 VCF Claim Timeline

The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) is currently taking about 17 months to decide and make an award on a claim. On June 5, 2025, the VCF issued the guidance on the timeline of decisions on claims, as follows:

• Claims submitted prior to February 2024 are now receiving award decisions.
• Claims submitted prior to March 2024 are undergoing substantive review.
• Claims submitted from April to July 2024 are scheduled for substantive review shortly.
• Claims submitted prior to August 2024 are now in preliminary review.

The VCF generally decides claims on a “first-in, first-out” order based on the date a complete claim was submitted with all required information.  

One important required document that must be submitted to the VCF is a certification letter from the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP). The WTC Health Program process can be complicated, including properly filing a claim, gathering the necessary medical records, drafting detailed proof of presence affidavits, attending a physical exam, and complying with hundreds of pages of federal rules and regulations.  It is only after the process with the WTC Health Program is successfully completed that the Health Program issues the certification letter. 

Successfully navigating the WTC Health Program process and submitting your claim properly can make a significant difference in avoiding not only a denial of a WTC Health Program and VCF claim, but also getting a favorable decision and payment of any VCF awards. Filing your claim properly – with the WTC Health Program and the VCF – often makes a huge difference in the VCF claim timeline.

Important VCF Claim Deadlines in 2025

There are two key deadlines that claimants must meet to qualify for compensation with the VCF: the registration deadline and the claim filing deadline. You do not need to be sick or have a certified 9/11-related illness to register with the VCF, but you do need to be certified by the WTCHP before filing a claim with the VCF. 

1. Registration Deadline:  The registration deadline is based on individual circumstances and is not the same for everyone. You must register your claim with the VCF within two years of one of the following events:
   1. The date of your loved one’s death from a 9/11-related condition, or when you became aware the death was related to 9/11
   2. The date on which a federal, state, or local government entity notifies you that your physical health condition is 9/11-related. The government entity, for most cases, but not all, is the World Trade Center Health Program.
2. Claim Filing Deadline: The claim filing deadline is the same for everyone. After registering with the VCF, you must submit your completed claim, including supporting documentation and medical certification, before October 1, 2090, the official end of the VCF program. However, it is essential to file your claim as soon as possible so that your claim for compensation can be reviewed as quickly as possible. 

What Happens If You Miss the Deadlines?

Missing the two-year registration window or failing to certify your condition with the WTC Health Program before submitting a claim will likely result in your VCF claim being denied. If you registered late or are unsure of your registration date, an experienced 9/11 attorney can help you evaluate whether you’re still eligible. In some situations, such as when a family is unaware that a death was linked to a 9/11-related illness, the VCF allows for reasonable cause exceptions. Legal guidance can make a significant difference in the case of a missed deadline. 

Step-by-Step Guide for the 2025 VCF Claim Process

Filing a VCF claim involves multiple steps, and the timeline can vary based on several factors, including filing a complete and accurate claim, the complexity of your claim (e.g., lost earnings, dependent support), whether you are filing for a deceased loved one, and whether you have a terminal illness. 

Avoid timely mistakes and delays by filing your 9/11 VCF claim with the experienced attorneys at Hansen & Rosasco. When you do, you can expect the following process:

• Step 1: Call our office to discuss your eligibility. If eligible, retain Hansen & Rosasco, LLP. 
• Step 2: Your attorney at Hansen & Rosasco registers you with the VCF and begins review of preliminary documents. 
• Step 3: Hansen & Rosasco works to establish proof of presence in the 9/11 Exposure Zone, including contacting witnesses, obtaining sworn and written affidavits, and gathering any available documentation that proves your presence. 
• Step 4: Your attorney assists you with registering with the WTC Health Program and certifying your 9/11-related illness. 
• Step 5: Hansen & Rosasco investigates if your 9/11 condition has disabled you from work and determines your past earning history for potential “loss of earnings award.”
• Step 6: Your fully completed claim is submitted to the VCF for review. 
• Step 7: VCF makes award determination. Hansen & Rosasco reviews the award and advises you if the award is correct. If not, your attorney will advise whether an appeal should be pursued.
• Step 8: Hansen & Rosasco receives your award from VCF into our attorney escrow account. Your award is distributed to you after a deduction of a 10% attorney's fee. The case is then closed, unless or until your 9/11 condition changes.
  
  

How a 9/11 VCF Lawyer Can Help

Filing a VCF claim can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re dealing with a serious illness or the loss of a loved one. A lawyer experienced in 9/11 VCF claims can:

• Ensure your claim is registered by the required deadline
• Help certify your condition with the WTC Health Program
• Organize and submit your documents correctly and completely
• Expedite the process by avoiding common errors and delays
• Appeal an award that seems too low or a denial that seems unfair
  
  

At Hansen & Rosasco, LLP, our attorneys work solely on 9/11 VCF cases, and we are dedicated to helping claimants every step of the way. Contact us today to get the process started.