Even if You Aren't Sick, Get Your Proof of Presence Docs In Order
We often get questions about what people should do if they’re aren’t currently sick but are worried they may need care in the future. With many of the research cohorts long closed and no recent action on our goal of developing a new cohort focused on young adults, we still have some advice for those who are worried about their future health. That advice is simple: Get your proof of presence now.
We know how it goes. Documents get lost. Former classmates, friends, and neighbors lose touch. Companies go out of business. If you get your proof of presence squared away now, you’re covered should you get sick or need care in the future.
Both of the programs established by the Zadroga Act for survivors provide detailed lists of the ways applicants can prove they were downtown on or after 9/11. Those of us in the school community have a built in advantage - our school records can be used to establish our eligibility for the programs - but it’s worth thinking back on who you were with on and after 9/11 as well.
For young people, here are a couple of forms of proof that are accepted by the program and easy to access:
School records. We have an arrangement set up with the Department of Education where you can get school transcripts and proof of attendance from by calling 311, asking for the DOE, and letting them know you’re looking for proof of presence for the WTC Health Program. You can also email us at info@stuyhealth.org for additional help or if you’d like to contact your school directly.
If you’re still in touch with school friends, now would be a good time to get an affidavit from a few of them asserting that they witnessed you in the exposure zone on or after 9/11. A notary is NOT required. Here’s instructions and a form from the VCF: https://www.vcf.gov/forms/witness-presence-statement
For a full list of accepted forms of proof, check the below resources:
WTC Health Program: https://www.cdc.gov/wtc/documentation.html
VCF: https://www.vcf.gov/sites/vcf/files/media/document/2020-12/DocumentChecklistPersonalInjury.pdf(Sec. 2)
Once you have your documents, store them in a safe place and rest easy knowing you’ll be halfway there should you need to apply to the Zadroga programs in the future!