Public Employee Press

REMEMBERING 9/11: 15 YEARS LATER
Governor signs 9/11 workers' benefits extension

BY MIKE LEE

ON THE 15TH anniversary of the World Trade Center terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill to reopen and extend the deadline for first responders and other workers involved in rescue, recovery and clean-up efforts to register for benefits from the Workers' Compensation Board or to apply for an Accidental Disability Pension through the New York State and Local Retirement System.

This important step by the state to extend the deadline for the 9/11 Registry through Sept. 11, 2018, will allow qualified workers to apply for lost wages, disability, and medical and accidental death benefits as a consequence of performing their duties related to the World Trade Center attacks.

Upon signing the bill, Cuomo said, "Though September 11th may feel like an eternity ago, we still feel the pain and the loss like it was yesterday, and the thousands of brave men and women who stepped up in our darkest hour are still grappling with the aftereffects. We vow to do whatever we have to do to provide them the benefits they deserve.... These volunteers and workers raised up in our time of need, and we will ensure they get the resources and support they need."

The extension signed by the governor comes less than a year after the U.S. Congress passed a reauthorization of the Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which ensures continued federal support and health care for the thousands of first responders and other workers. The state law extends the deadline for registering under the state's WTC Disability Law to next September.

DC 37 members who responded on 9/11 and took part in the rescue and recovery efforts but did not register with the New York State Workers' Compensation Board or NYSLRS should do so before the September 2018 deadline. Registering under the WTC Disability Law preserves the rights of workers to file for benefits if they already have medical conditions related to the WTC attacks or develop symptoms later.

Local 2507 EMT President Israel Miranda lauded the legislation's passage: "The governor took a major step for our members and others who suffered devastating health problems from working at Ground Zero. This gives new hope to our members and their families that they may survive the devastating effects of 9/11."