Sick and injured 9/11 first responders, recovery workers and survivors who aren't already registered with the Victim Compensation Fund are being urged to do so before Oct. 3 — the deadline to file for financial compensation.
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand held a press conference Monday at 7 WTC to ask those afflicted by the 9/11 tragedy to register immediately.
"This fund is not open forever. In fact, the clock is ticking and time is running out for victims and survivors to participate," said the senator, a Democrat from upstate New York.
Approximately 5,000 people have signed up with the VCF in the past two weeks, said Sheila Birnbaum, the fund's special master.
That brings the total registrants up to 36,000, she said.
In all, the 9/11 VCF has about $2.7 billion to dole out to sick or injured people who file for economic assistance.