September 11 Victim Compensation Fund

Claimants must prove they or the deceased victim were near enough to be at risk of harm at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, the Shanksville, Pa., site or in one of the aircraft involved in the Sept. 11 crashes. The fund cannot compensate for emotional harm or injuries that don't show up during the two-year duration of the fund.

• Prove injuries treated within 24 hours of incident or rescue.
• Or prove care sought within 72 hours of the incident or rescue. The fund's special master can extend the time.
• Prove injury required inpatient hospital treatment for at least 24 hours or caused temporary or permanent partial or total physical disability, incapacity or disfigurement.

To document death claimants must:

• Provide a death certificate.
• Indicate where the victim was killed.
• If the victim was at the World Trade Center, claimants must prove victims were there at the time of the crashes by presenting affidavits from employers showing victims were working in or visiting the buildings or records from federal, state, city or local governments showing their whereabouts.