Artifacts from ground zero get a preview at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York. Among them is a cross made out of steel from the World Trade Center in the 2001 attacks. The museum opened in 2014.
9/11 memorial and museum —
Artifacts from ground zero get a preview at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York. Among them is a cross made out of steel from the World Trade Center in the 2001 attacks. The museum opened in 2014.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
A destroyed New York City Fire Department ambulance from ground zero is on display.
9/11 memorial and museum —
A destroyed New York City Fire Department ambulance from ground zero is on display.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Cards, patches and mementos of those killed at ground zero -- single objects convey the tragedy of that day, the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil.
9/11 memorial and museum —
Cards, patches and mementos of those killed at ground zero -- single objects convey the tragedy of that day, the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
An American flag was recovered from the World Trade Center site.
9/11 memorial and museum —
An American flag was recovered from the World Trade Center site.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Pieces of American Airlines Flight 11 are on display. The plane plowed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m. on September 11, 2001.
9/11 memorial and museum —
Pieces of American Airlines Flight 11 are on display. The plane plowed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m. on September 11, 2001.
STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images
The remains of a New York City Fire Department Ladder Company 3 truck are on display outside the historical exhibition area. Eleven members of Ladder 3 died when the North Tower crumbled.
9/11 memorial and museum —
The remains of a New York City Fire Department Ladder Company 3 truck are on display outside the historical exhibition area. Eleven members of Ladder 3 died when the North Tower crumbled.
STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images
Helmets worn by firefighters on September 11, including those of Christian Waugh, were donated by families.
9/11 memorial and museum —
Helmets worn by firefighters on September 11, including those of Christian Waugh, were donated by families.
STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images
A photograph at the memorial shows one of the World Trade Center towers collapsing after the attack.
9/11 memorial and museum —
A photograph at the memorial shows one of the World Trade Center towers collapsing after the attack.
STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images
The symbolic "Last Column," right, a steel beam from one of the towers, stands near the "slurry wall," left, which holds back the Hudson River waters.
9/11 memorial and museum —
The symbolic "Last Column," right, a steel beam from one of the towers, stands near the "slurry wall," left, which holds back the Hudson River waters.
STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images
A firefighter shirt from ground zero is on view.
9/11 memorial and museum —
A firefighter shirt from ground zero is on view.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
The wedge-shaped pavilion entrance of the museum, center, is located between the square outlines of the memorial waterfalls at the World Trade Center.
9/11 memorial and museum —
The wedge-shaped pavilion entrance of the museum, center, is located between the square outlines of the memorial waterfalls at the World Trade Center.
Mark Lennihan/AP
A visitor to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum takes in the sight.
9/11 memorial and museum —
A visitor to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum takes in the sight.
Mary Altaffer
A rose is placed next to the name of a victim of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center at the North Pool of the memorial.
9/11 memorial and museum —
A rose is placed next to the name of a victim of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center at the North Pool of the memorial.
Mary Altaffer/AP
Part of the World Trade Center's original foundation, left, and the last column removed from the WTC site, center, are covered in a protective wrap during construction of the museum.
9/11 memorial and museum —
Part of the World Trade Center's original foundation, left, and the last column removed from the WTC site, center, are covered in a protective wrap during construction of the museum.
Mary Altaffe/AP
The "Cross," made of intersecting steel beams found in the rubble of 6 World Trade Center, and a fragment of a trident column, center, one of 84 that formed the exterior structure of each tower, are prepared for display.
9/11 memorial and museum —
The "Cross," made of intersecting steel beams found in the rubble of 6 World Trade Center, and a fragment of a trident column, center, one of 84 that formed the exterior structure of each tower, are prepared for display.
Mary Altaffer/AP
The original stairway from the World Trade Center Plaza to Vesey Street, left, is seen at the museum.
9/11 memorial and museum —
The original stairway from the World Trade Center Plaza to Vesey Street, left, is seen at the museum.
Mary Altaffer
Contractors work to finish construction of the memorial and museum.
9/11 memorial and museum —
Contractors work to finish construction of the memorial and museum.
Mary Altaffer
One World Trade Center rises above the lower Manhattan skyline in New York.
9/11 memorial and museum —
One World Trade Center rises above the lower Manhattan skyline in New York.
Mark Lennihan/AP
9/11 memorial and museum
CNN  — 

Here is a look at the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) and the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010.

Facts

From 2001 to 2003, the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) processed claims relating to injuries and deaths caused by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

In 2011, the fund was reopened to compensate first responders and individuals who later experienced health problems related to 9/11.

The WTC Health Registry monitors the health of registrants who were directly exposed to the disaster.

Statistics for VCF 2001-2003

The fund received 7,408 claim submissions from 75 countries. Awards were made in 5,560 of those cases and totaled over $7 billion.

The fund received 2,963 death claims. This accounted for more than 98% of eligible families. Funds were distributed in 2,880 of these cases. The average award was $2,082,128 and went as high as $7.1 million.

The fund received 4,445 personal injury claims. Funds were distributed in 2,680 of these cases. The awards ranged from $500.00 to $8.6 million.

The money was tax-free.

Statistics for Re-opened VCF

The reopened and expanded fund has operated since January 2, 2011. Information on total awards and claims is updated monthly and posted here.

Timeline

November 26, 2001 - Kenneth R. Feinberg is appointed the Special Master in charge of the federal Victim Compensation Fund.

June 15, 2004 - The September 11th Victims Compensation Fund finishes its work processing death and injury claims from families and relatives of 9/11 victims. Families of those killed had until December 22, 2003, to apply for compensation. Families who agree to get compensation from the federal fund agree not to sue the airlines.

November 8, 2004 - A report by the Rand Institute for Civil Justice finds that victims of the September 11, 2001, attacks received an average of $3.1 million per person, totaling $8.7 billion. About $38 billion in all is paid out by the government, charities and insurance companies. Insurance companies pay the most, covering 51%. The majority of the money goes to New York businesses.

January 2, 2011 - President Barack Obama signs the First Responders Bill, also known as the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, reactivating the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund that ran from 2001-2003. The act expands health coverage and compensation to first responders and individuals who have developed 9/11-related health problems, setting aside $2.775 billion to compensate claimants for lost wages and other damages related to the illnesses.

May 18, 2011 - Attorney General Eric Holder names Sheila L. Birnbaum as Special Master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. She administers the fund created by the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.

September 30, 2011 - The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund re-opens to serve those eligible for claims under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.

August 15, 2012 - Sheila Birnbaum announces that award distribution is on hold until the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health decides whether to add cancer to the list of illnesses covered by the Zadroga Act.

September 12, 2012 - The final rule adding 58 types of cancer to “the List of WTC-Related Health Conditions” is published in the Federal Register.

December 18, 2015 - President Barack Obama signs a bill reauthorizing the Zadroga Act, which also extends the VCF. The bill extends the deadline for filing claims through December 2020.

July 21, 2016 - Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch names Rupa Bhattacharyya as the new Special Master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. Bhattacharyya will take over when Sheila L. Birnbaum steps down later in the month.

February 15, 2019 - Bhattacharyya releases the seventh annual status report indicating that the VCF has insufficient funds to pay all current and projected claims.

July 29, 2019 - President Donald Trump signs an act into law which authorizes the extension of the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. The fund was slated to expire in 2020. But the newly signed legislation, championed by comedian Jon Stewart, ensures the compensation for victims through 2090.