Crime Victims Funds
Available
to Victims of WTC Tragedy
Suffolk District Attorney’s Office to Distribute Benefits
to World Trade Center Attack Victims as Agent for State Crime Victims Board.
Suffolk District Attorney James M. Catterson, Jr., (joined by victim’s advocates from his office) announced today that New York State Governor George Pataki has directed the New York State Crime Victims Board to expedite the filing of claims by victims families and survivors of the September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. The District Attorney has been asked to act as agent to process claims and expedite payment of emergency interim awards of up to $1,500 for loss of earnings, support and funeral and burial expenses.
District Attorney Catterson explained that he is authorized to draw emergency award checks from sums deposited to his account by the Crime Victims Board which monies will be replenished as needed.
Catterson said “we plan to make the process as easy as possible. To that end I have set up a special phone number (631-853-3278) dedicated solely to handling Trade Center Disaster victims’ families and survivors. Experienced victim advocates are located in my Hauppauge, Riverhead and East End Offices to counsel victims’ families and survivors and assist in completing and filing the necessary forms to expedite early payments.”
Catterson stated that the Crime Victims Board has made available benefits specific to the Word Trade Center disaster that include:
Payment for medical expenses (not covered by the initial emergency award)
Funeral and Burial Expenses
Replacement of personal property essential to the health safety or welfare of the victim.
Loss of Support
Catterson stressed that the benefits are strictly for Suffolk County residents who were injured or killed as a result of the attack or victims’ families.
Catterson said several calls have been received concerning loss of business income and cancelled vacations as a result of the attack – this benefit is NOT for those types of circumstances.
Suffolk residents who are victims or family members of victims of the World Trade Center attack are urged to contact the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office to learn about Crime Victims Board financial assistance and benefits that are available and initiate the process. Please call 631-853-3278.
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