Wire
September 2030 deadline set for WTC militia claims
The measure covers members of New York’s organized militia who were activated for rescue, recovery or cleanup duty at the World Trade Center site. Surviving spouses, children under 21 and dependent parents would keep access to death benefits.
New York would give members of its organized militia, and some surviving family members, four more years to file for World Trade Center-related benefits. The deadline now in the law would move from Sept. 11, 2026, to Sept. 11, 2030.
That matters because the benefits are tied to service after Sept. 11, 2001, when militia members were activated on state active duty for World Trade Center site rescue, recovery or cleanup work. The bill does not change that service trigger. It changes how long people have to come forward.
The benefit itself stays intact
The proposal does not rewrite the payout. A covered militia member who developed a qualifying World Trade Center condition would still be entitled to a performance-of-duty disability pension equal to three-quarters of final annual pay.
If a covered member died from a qualifying condition, the surviving spouse, children under 21 or dependent parent would still be entitled to an accidental death benefit equal to one-half of the member’s final annual pay.
A longer window for old claims
Senator Brian Kavanagh introduced the measure, which amends section 217 of the military law. The adjutant general of the Division of Military and Naval Affairs would be authorized to write regulations to carry it out.
For families still dealing with the health effects and paperwork that can trail 9/11-related service for years, the point is not a new program. It is more time to ask for benefits that already exist under state law.
- Deadline moves to Sept. 11, 2030 - Covers state active duty tied to World Trade Center rescue, recovery or cleanup - Disability benefit remains three-quarters of final annual pay - Death benefit remains one-half of final annual pay