As of June 24, the New York State Workers Compensation Boardwill no longer handle benefit applications to the World TradeCenter Volunteer Fund, whichw as established to handle claims madeby those who sustained injuries while responding to the September11, 2001 terror attacks that destroyed the World Trade Center.

The Board is shifting management of the Fund to the Triad Groupas part of a larger effort to shift all claims management toprofessional third party administrators. The Board will paythe TPA costs directly from its own budget so that all of the WTCVolunteer Fund is available to pay for medical and indemnitybenefits for the volunteers. All claimants who have active WTCVolunteer claims, their health care providers, and their legalrepresentatives will receive written notice about the change inclaim administrator. Additional information is availableat WTCVolunteer Fund Overview.

The transition of claim management should have no impact on WTCvolunteers receiving Fund benefits. Claimants will continuereceiving their biweekly indemnity benefits on the same schedule inplace today. While health providers should begin sending newmedical reports and bills to the Triad Group for services providedafter June 24, they will continue to operate under the sameflexible rules that have governed the WTC Volunteer Fund since itscreation. Volunteers with new claims should continue submittingthem directly to the Board. The Triad Group will assumeresponsibility for the claim only after the Board determines theclaimant is eligible for the Fund.

The Triad Group has designated a WTC administrator, GretchenFinch, to address any issues that arise during the transition.Gretchen will serve as the claimants' and providers' first point ofcontact for all claim administration issues. She can be reached viaemail at [email protected]and/or byphone at 1-800-337-7419 extension 112. Documents, including medicalreports and bills, should be sent to her c/o Triad Group, LLC; 185Jordan Road, Troy, NY 12180 or by fax to 1-866-617-7585. She willhave direct access to Board staff to address individual questionsor problems as they arise.

In the meantime, NY WCB Chair Robert Beloten strongly encouragesWorld Trade Center claimants to apply for benefits under the WTCHealth Program.