Hundreds of sick Americans are applying every month to the 9/11 federal victim compensation fund — even almost 25 years after the terror attacks.
The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund receives an average of 750 case applications per month — or approximately 25 each day — in what Special Master Allison Turkel called a “clear indication” of the lasting effects on those who lived through the tragedy.
“As we reflect upon the immeasurable tragedy endured that day, we honor the lives of those we lost that day and the heroism of those who responded in a time of unprecedented crisis, and the resilience of those who have been impacted by 9/11-related health effects,” Turkel said Wednesday.
As of August 31, the VCF has received more than 112,000 claims from those who were present at the three crash sites in the Big Apple, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and those who remained in the aftermath through select time periods.
The VCF has so far accepted 77,000 claims from people who were diagnosed with a 9/11-related illness, or from the family of those who died of such a sickness — totaling an incredible $18.56 billion in award determinations.
The federal fund doled out more than $1.8 billion across 9,800 cases in 2025 alone.
More than 6,000 people have now died from 9/11-related illnesses, a stunning number that is more than double the number of people killed that day — and one Turkel expects to continue to grow.
The special master urged those who were present for the attacks to register for the VCF even if they are not sick.
Everyone within the “exposure zone” is eligible, not just first responders, Turkel emphasized.
“It is estimated that as many as 400,000 people — those who lived, worked, went to school, or visited the area within the VCF’s New York City Exposure Zone — may have been exposed to the toxins,” said Turkel.
The fund is legally empowered to continue writing checks until 2090.
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