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The World Trade Center (WTC) Disability Law
In June 2005 Governor Pataki signed into law the World
Trade Center(WTC) Disability Law that provides a
disability benefit to those who become disabled because of
their participation in the WTC Rescue, Recovery or Clean-Up
Operations between September 11, 2001 and September 12, 2002.
We believe that the greatest impact of this legislation
will be to those who are members of NYCERS, Police or Fire,
and so these three NYC Retirement Systems have joined
together in order to explain what you need to know. Any
active member, vestee or pensioner (who vested or retired
AFTER 9-11-01) who participated in the WTC Rescue, Recovery
or Clean-Up Operations between September 11, 2001 and
September 12, 2002 may be eligible if he/she meets the
criteria below and files a Notice of Participation in the
WTC Rescue, Recovery and Clean-Up Operations by
June 13, 2007.
The Notice of Participation is simply to inform us that
you participated in the WTC Rescue, Recovery or Clean-Up
Operations between September 11, 2001 and September 12, 2002.
This is NOT a disability application. Once you file the Notice
of Participation form, your Retirement System will reach out
to your agency to get any additional information needed. If
you are deemed qualified to file for disability under this
law you will then have to file a disability application with
your Retirement System.
You must have successfully passed a physical examination for
entry into public service, and Participated in the WTC Rescue,
Recovery or Clean-Up Operations in one of the following places
between September 11, 2001 and September 12, 2002: World Trade
Center Site, Fresh Kills Land Fill, New York City Morgue or
the temporary morgue on pier locations on the West Side of
Manhattan, the barges between the West Side of Manhattan and
the Fresh Kills Land Fill, and participatedin the WTC Rescue,
Recovery or Clean-Up Operations between September 11, 2001
and September 12, 2002 for a minimum of 40 hours; or, if the
minimum of 40 hours was not met, you sustained a documented
physical injury at the WTC Site between 9/11/01 and 9/12/01
which prevented you from working the minimum number of hours,
and become disabled by a qualifying condition or impairment
of health as defined in the law. The World Trade Center Site
is considered to be anywhere below a line starting from the
Hudson River and Canal Street; east on Canal Street to Pike
Street; south on Pike Street to the East River; and extending
to the lower tip of Manhattan. We encourage you to ACT
NOW by filing a Notice of Participation with your Retirement
System.
Even if you show no signs of a health condition or impairment
at this time, we encourage you to protect your future by
filing this Notice of Participation. If this form is not on
file with your Retirement System you WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE to
file for disability under the WTC Disability Law.
Filing a Notice of Participation simply tells us that you
participated in the WTC Rescue, Recovery or Clean-Up
Operations. You may never show signs of disability and may
never need to claim disability. But in the event you do, you
must have this form on file. Think of filing this form as
insurance-you may never need to use it, but in the event you
do you'll be happy to have it! If you develop a disability
as a result of your participation in the WTC Rescue, Recovery
and Clean-Up Operations you will then have to take the steps
needed to file for disability with your Retirement System.
The World Trade Center Environmental Health Center
You can come for treatment if you: Lived in Lower Manhattan
or areas of Brooklyn
- Were a student in a school in the area
- Worked in or around area offices, stores, schools, or
apartment buildings
- Helped in the clean-up of building in the affected area.
For more information or to make an appointment, call us
toll-free at 877-WTC-0107(877-982-0107).
New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation nyc.gov/hhc
Bellevue Hospital Center
462 First Avenue (27th Street)
New York, NY 10016
Gouverneur Healthcare Services
227 Madison Street (Clinton Street)
New York, NY 10002
Elmhurst Hospital Center
79-01 Broadway (79th Street)
Elmhurst NY 11373
WTC Environmental Health Center
Pediatric Services, Bellvue Hospital Center
462 First Avenue (27th Street)
New York, NY 10016
Do you think your child may have the medical or mental health
issues related to the events of 9/11? The WTC Environmental
Health Center can help.
We Provide:
- Comprehensive assessment of 9/11-related problems.
- Treatment for 9/11-related medical and mental health issues.
- Support for children, teenagers and families affected by the
events of 9/11.
- Services provided at no out-of-pocket expense to you.
For more information, call us toll-free at 877-WTC-0107
(877-982-0107).
New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation
nyc.gov/hhc
Download the WTC HHC Pediatrics Cards
NYC Department of Mental Health & Hygenie
Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH, Commissioner
NYC Department of Mental Health and Hygenie: Benefits for
New YorkersStruggling with Mental Health & Substance Abuse
Problems Related to 9-11 FACT SHEET:
9/11 Benefit Program for Mental Health and Substance
New York City’s New Program Provides Coverage for Those Who
Need Help
The New York City Health Department is offering an
insurance-like benefit to help cover mental health and
substance-usetreatment for NYC residents still affected
by the terrorist events of September 11, 2001.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
If you’re still suffering psychological symptoms related to the
events of 9/11, you may qualify for coverage under
the NYC 9/11 Benefit Program. To find out, call 311 or visit:
http://www.nyc.gov/9-11mentalhealth.
A benefit coordinator will work with you to establish whether
you are eligible and explain the process for submitting claims.
If you are found eligible, you will receive reimbursement for
out-of-pocket costs, up to the maximum amount allowed under the
NYC 9/11 Benefit Program fee schedule for mental health or
substance-use treatment.
If you have insurance, you must first apply your insurance
benefit toward the cost of treatment. The NYC 9/11 Benefit
Program will reimburse for the remaining out-of-pocket costs.
If you don’t have insurance, you can receive reimbursement for
the fees you pay to providers, up to the maximum amount
allowed under the NYC 9/11 Benefit Program’s fee schedule.
The Benefit Program will directly reimburse providers if they
file claims for services they provide to eligible patients.
If a provider’s fee exceeds the reimbursable amount for a
given service, the patient will be responsible for the balance.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Two groups of NYC residents are eligible for the program.
Group A includes individuals or family members of those who:
• Lost a family member, were seriously injured, or lived below
Canal Street
• Worked in the WTC area or at the Pentagon – whether or not
they were at work that day. Or were evacuated from the WTC
area or the Pentagon
• Attended a school near the WTC, or are the parent of a child
who attended nearby
• Were a rescue, recovery, or reconstruction worker assigned to
a “restricted site”
• Were an emergency dispatcher on 9/11 or worked in the morgues
serving the attacks sites
• Worked south of Canal Street or at Ronald Reagan Airport, and
before January 11, 2002 lost their job or earned less than 70%
of their pre-9/11 income
• Have a family member, or shared a home with someone, who meets
the criteria above
• Reside in NYC
Group B includes NYC residents who are not in Group A but who
have psychological symptoms that are likely related to the attacks.
Individuals in this category will be screened, and their treating
providers will be asked to submit a letter affirming that their
conditions are likely related to the events of 9/11.
WHAT SERVICES ARE COVERED?
The NYC 9/11 Benefit Program reserves the right to modify
covered services at any time.
Covered services include:
• Outpatient mental health and substance-use services:
The benefit program covers out-of-pocket costs associated
with outpatient treatment. There is no dollar cap on
reimbursement for members of Group A. For members of Group B,
reimbursement is limited to $3,000 over the lifetime of the
benefit.
• Medication and laboratory work related to mental health and
substance-usetreatment: Additionally, the benefit covers
reimbursement for medication and/or laboratory work up to
$1,500 over the lifetime of the benefit.
• Psychological evaluations and testing: The benefit covers up
to eight hours of evaluation and testing for children age 21
and under.
The benefit program does not cover the following:
• Inpatient services
• Emergency-room visits and related services
• Acupuncture
• Art therapy and other expressive therapies
• Missed appointments
• Non-related mental health/substance use medications
WHO CAN PROVIDE TREATMENT?
To receive reimbursement, you must receive services from
a provider who is licensed/certified in New York State,
or who works under the supervision of a New York State-
licensed providerin the same field of practice.
Services delivered by the following licensed or certified
professionals are covered under the NYC 9/11 Benefit
Program:
• Physicians
• Psychologists
• Social workers
• Nurse practitioners
• Certified alcoholism or substance-use counselors
• Mental health counselors
• Marriage and family counselors
• Licensed psychoanalysts (state license holders only;
national certification is not sufficient)
HOW CAN I APPLY FOR THE BENEFIT?
Any eligible person can enroll by calling 877-737-1164
(877-SEP11MH)or (TTY) 212-982-5284.
Group A enrollment is also available online, at:
http://www.nyc.gov/9-11mentalhealth.
IMPORTANT DATES:
• April 2008: Enrollment begins
• January 2, 2007: Coverage begins (retroactively)
• July 7, 2010: Enrollment ends
• January 7, 2011: Coverage ends
• March 31, 2011: Last day to submit claims
Note: Terms are subject to modification based on available
resources and the success of the program. For more
information, visit http://www.nyc.gov/9-11mentalhealth.
This program is funded and overseenby the New York City
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, with benefit
access coordinated by the Mental Health Association of NYC.
Mt. Sinai Reopens World Trade Center Screening Enrollment
Mt. Sinai Hospital will again accept new patients into the World Trade
Center Worker and Volunteer Medical Screening program. The program ended last year but has been saved by a federal grant. Many recovery
workers have been diagnosed with illnesses. If you qualify, call
1-800-702-0630. Exams will be given in Manhattan, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties, and New Jersey. If you qualify, but have left the area, call the number above and you will be contacted.
Examination takes approximately three hours and test for the most common September 11th-related illnesses. You will not be tested for heavy metal exposure (which needs to be done within 90 daysof exposure) or for asbestos, cancer or long-term problems (it is too soon for that). What will be tested for: breathing (pulmonary function testing); persistent or chronic
sinusitis or rhinitis; reactive airways disease (asthma); laryngitis, tracheitis and bronchitis; gastro-esophageal reflux; emotional distress; and persistent problems related to injuries sustained at the recovery site. You will also be tested for heart problems.
For more information, or to download eligibility forms, go to:
www.wtcexams.org.
September 11th Community Support:
NYC's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Website
Call (212) 788-9305
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/home/home.shtml
New York City has launched a comprehensive new website that offers the latest information about 9/11 health and services. The "one-stop shopping"
website makes it much easier for New Yorkers who were exposed to the collapse of the World Trade Center find the free medical trearment and
resources they need to get better. Health Commissioner Thomas
Frieden, MD, MPH speaks about what we know about 9/11 physical and mental health problems. The website also includes easily accesible health
research findings about the different groups of people who were affected by the disaster: rescue and recovery workers, residents, children, city
employees and others.
The 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Call 1-800-LIFENET for immediate help (1-800-543-3638)
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/wtc/html/mhb/about.shtml
The 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program enrollment
deadline was January 2, 2007 at 5pm. If you are already enrolledin the
Program, the last day to file claims is March 31, 2008.
The 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program offers enrolled participants with the financial assistance of the cost of mental health and substance abuse treatment to those directly affected by the atttacks, regardless of insurance or immigration status. Coverage is retroactive to 9/11/01. The program is funded by the American Red Cross, and administered by the Mental Health Association of New York City.
If you were directly affected by the 9/11 attacks, you and your family may be eligible to receive mental health treatment or free or at low cost. If you are eligible,this program is avaliable regardless of where you live, your insurance coverage, and your immigration status. You choose the type of treatment and the licensed provider.
Not everyone reacts to traumatic events in the same way. That's why a variety of services are available. 1-800-LIFENET is a toll-free hotline that makes it easy for you to get free or low cost help with emotional, drug or alcohol problems related to 9/11.
LifeNet is:
- Totally confidential and available 24 hours a day, 7 says a week
- Operated by The Mental Health Association of NYC, a private, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and access to treatment services; and
-Availale to English, Spanish and Asian language speakers, with support
for all others.
Please call 212.614.6384 to speak with benefit coordinators and referral specialists offer personal, confidential help 24 hours a day.