Update on NYS World Trade Center Volunteer Fund
The New York State Workers’ Compensation Board, which administers the World Trade Center (WTC) Volunteer Fund, announced last week that it was moving to shift the management of the fund to a Third Party Administrator, the Triad Group, effective June 24.
http://www.wcb.ny.gov/content/main/SubjectNos/sn046_549.jsp
According to the Workers Compensation Board, the Triad Group will assume responsible for managing claims only after the Board determines the claimant is eligible for the Fund. Per the Workers Compensation Board’s release, The Triad Group has designated a WTC administrator, Gretchen Finch, to address any issues that arise during the transition. She will serve as the claimants’ and providers’ first point of contact for all claim administration issues. She can be reached via email at gfinch@triadgate.com and/or by phone at 1-800-337-7419 extension 112.
http://www.wcb.ny.gov/content/main/WTCVolunteerFund/TransitionToTriad.jsp
The Volunteer Fund was created in 2002 with 50 million dollars in funding from the Federal Government to provide workers’ compensation benefits (medical and lost time) for volunteers who assisted with World Trade Center (WTC) rescue, recovery and clean up. While unpaid volunteers are normally ineligible for workers’ compensation benefits, the NY Workers’ Compensation Law was amended to provide for volunteers who participated in WTC efforts. It has provided 407 volunteers with benefits.
http://www.wcb.ny.gov/content/main/WTCVolunteerFund/Overview.jsp
Of the original funding of 50 million dollars, over 18 million dollars remain.
http://www.wcb.ny.gov/content/main/WTCVolunteerFund/Statistics.jsp
For more information, go to the Worker’s Compensation Board website. http://www.wcb.ny.gov/content/main/WTCVolunteerFund/Overview.jsp
Ben Chevat
Executive Director
9/11 Health Watch