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Compensation for Deceased Victims
Dear Claimants:
On June 15, 2004, the federal September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 will complete the processing and award determinations for all claims filed with the Program. On that date, all claims for death and physical injury will have received final award determinations and will be authorized for payment by the Special Master's office within 20 days of that date. Once authorized, all payments should be processed and received within 6 - 8 weeks.
Over 7,300 claims for death and physical injury arising out of the 9/11 tragedy will have been processed. I have been supported in my resolve to administer the statute in a fair and equitable fashion by the thousands of families and victims who have met with me in large and small groups, in town hall meetings and individually. In conducting hundreds of individual hearings, I was strengthened by the determination of families to move on with their lives as best they can. The Program's success can be attributed directly to the families themselves, who demonstrated tremendous courage and determination in spite of the trauma and tragedy of 9/11.
Over 98% of eligible families who lost a loved one voluntarily decided to participate and submitted claims to the Fund. At the same time, over 4,400 physical injury applications were processed by the Fund. This overwhelming participation demonstrates, I believe, the fairness and generosity of the Program.
Tribute should also be paid to all the staff of the Victim Compensation Fund who helped assure its success. I could not have completed this task without the dedicated public servants at the Department of Justice and the extraordinary team at PricewaterhouseCoopers/IBM and Aspen Systems. All are owed a debt of gratitude. I also personally thank the President and the Attorney General for their unstinting support and cooperation. They, too, have been instrumental in assuring that the mandate of the Fund would be realized.
It has been an honor and privilege to serve those families and victims whose lives were tragically disrupted by 9/11. I believe the Fund exemplifies the best in the American character and is a tribute to the American people.
Sincerely,
Kenneth R. Feinberg
Special Master
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