Rescue and Recovery Workers' Compensation

While a September 2010 deadline applied to certain past filings, New York State law has subsequently extended the registration and claim windows to September 11, 2026, to preserve benefits for those whose conditions develop years later. For more information about how to file a claim, see Workers’ Compensation and Pension Benefits.

New York City Employees

Nearly 60,000 city employees reported that they participated in the rescue, recovery and clean-up of the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster. More than 400 New York City firefighters and police officers have lost their lives as a result of the events of 9/11. In addition, more than 91,000 rescue, recovery and clean-up workers, and volunteers—including virtually all the FDNY—were exposed to the environmental hazards at Ground Zero during their work on “the pile” and at other WTC-related locations in the days and months that followed.

Information about pension and disability benefits for eligible New York City employees is available at Workers’ Compensation and Pension Benefits.

Uniformed FDNY, NYPD, and DSNY employees, as well as DOE employees, are generally not eligible for New York State Workers' Compensation benefits related to WTC exposure. City employees and retirees who were exposed to the WTC disaster may be eligible for care through the World Trade Center Health Program. For more information about treatment options for city employees, see Options for City Employees.

Other Eligible Workers and Volunteers

For information about filing a claim, eligibility requirements, or claim status, visit the New York State Workers' Compensation Board.

Federal Employees

Federal employees who participated in WTC rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations are not eligible for New York State Workers' Compensation benefits. Claims must be filed through the federal agency where you were employed on September 11, 2001.

WTC Disability Law Information

The WTC Disability Law establishes a presumption that certain disabilities for certain New York State employees were caused by rescue, recovery or clean-up operations at the WTC and entitle the employee to accidental disability retirement benefits (unless evidence proves otherwise). Information about qualifying conditions and eligibility requirements can be found at World Trade Center Presumption.