Brandenstein and Rada at Nassau County PBA Headquarters lecture on 9-11 Responder Benifits

On January 18, 2007, at the request of Pete Paterson, PBA legislative liaison, Milan Rada and Richard Brandenstein conducted a seminar at Nassau County PBA headquarters with the purpose of ensuring that members, who participated in the rescue, recovery and clean up following the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York City, know to file the necessary forms with the NYS Retirement System and the NYS Workers' Compensation Board, to protect their rights should they develop a related disability.

The Retirement System WTC Presumption law provides for a 3/4 accidental disability retirement benefit in the unfortunate event a member becomes disabled because of work at the World Trade Center. However, as a requirement to receiving this benefit, you must file a notice form (6047-N) with the Retirement System by June 14, 2007.

With respect to benefits provided under the Workers' Compensation Law for disability resulting from rescue, recovery and clean up work at the World Trade Center following the attacks, the law requires you to file  form “WTC -12” by August 14, 2007, whether or not the member has made a timely claim under the Workers' Compensation Law.

Even if you have a current claim, it is our strong recommendation that everyone who participated in the rescue, recovery or clean up following the attacks on the World Trade Center file form WTC - 12 in order to enable you to access Workers' Compensation benefits if you should develop any additional medical condition(s) in the future which is not part of your currently filed Workers' Compensation claim.

Brandenstein and Rada will present another informational seminar at PBA Headquarters on February 8, 2007 at 7:00 PM. If you have any questions, please call or e-mail us. Do not miss these deadlines, even if you are feeling well right now. You do not have to be sick or disabled at this time to file these forms.