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, 2021 and May 31, 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. If you can prove your presence in the exposure area during the exposure period (minimum of 80 hours between 9/11/01 and 5/31/02), and you develop one of the “approved” illnesses, you are entitled to the benefits provided by the new legislation. You do not have to prove that your illness was caused by 9/11.
The importance of documenting your proof of presence in the exposure area cannot be overemphasized. To access the benefits available to you, you must be able to provide two affidavits from individuals who can attest to your presence in the exposure area (someone who either saw you or knew of your presence at BMCC). With the passage of time, it will become increasingly difficult to find your witnesses and to get these affidavits.
Even if you have not experienced one of the “approved” illnesses, and are not currently ill, you should collect your affidavits now and register with the VCF to protect your right to file a future claim. Your affidavits must be properly prepared so that they will stand up to future VCF scrutiny; otherwise, you risk denial of your future claim.
Although, it is optional, a self-attestation should also be completed to document what you experience during the exposure period.
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.
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 Program, you may qualify for free medical care from the WTCHP and compensation from the VCF.
To qualify for compensation, you must have worked in the exposure zone (below Canal Street), have become ill from one of the 68 approved illnesses (cancers and non-cancers), and have met the minimum exposure period of 80 hours between 9/11/2001 and 5/30/2002.
Documentation required
- 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). - Two affidavits from colleague(s) and/or a Chairperson who witnessed or knew of your presence at BMCC during the exposure period.
- To document the minimum exposure time of 80 hours, the BMCC Fall 2001 and Spring 2002 Schedule of Classes may assist in determining which of your colleagues’ schedules coincided with yours.
Adjunct faculty need to identify the class(es) taught, days and time, and location in order to substantiate their presence in the exposure zone for the required exposure time. 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, attach them as supporting documentation to your affidavits.
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 qualify for compensation, you must have worked in the exposure zone (below Canal Street), have become ill from one of the 68 approved illnesses (cancers and non-cancers), and have met the minimum exposure period of 80 hours between 9/11/01 and 5/30/02.
Documentation required
- 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).
- Two affidavits from colleague(s) and/or a supervisor who witnessed or knew of your presence at BMCC during the exposure period.
- To document the minimum exposure time of 80 hours, the best documentation is time record, leave record, or other available documentation indicating time spent on the job.
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 WTC Health Program and compensation from the Victim Compensation.
To qualify for compensation, you must have attended school in the exposure zone (below Canal Street), have become ill from one of the 68 approved illnesses (cancers and non-cancers), and have met the minimum exposure period of 80 hours between 9/11/2001 and 5/30/2002.
Documentation required
- Official transcript showing classes attending during the academic year, 2001-2002. Attestation from the College that the transcript is accurate.
- If available, two affidavits from individuals who witnessed or knew of your presence at BMCC (e.g. a professor and/or classmate).
- Documentation that classes were held in the exposure zone (i.e., below Canal Street).
- Documentation of amount of time you were exposed to toxins between 9/11/2001 and 5/30/2002.
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
