Know what your 9/11 VCF claim status means

The VCF claims process starts with a pre-registration status and, fortunately, ends with a "compensation determination sent" status. Listed below are the main statuses your claim will go through before you receive your complete and fair compensation.

• Pre-Registration: Your physical documents are already with the VCF, and your claim account has been created.
• Blank: You have not completed the registration process.
• Start: You have completed the registration process but have not submitted the eligibility and compensation forms.
• Incomplete: Your claim is still missing important information. You will need to fill out every part of the form and submit your application to move on to the next step.
• Submitted: You have submitted all the documents needed for your claim.
• Submitted: Pending Preliminary Review: Your claim is in the queue for preliminary review.
• Preliminary Review: the VCF is in the process of reviewing your claim to ensure you've submitted all the basic and necessary documents.
• Ready for Reviewer: Pending Review: Your claim has gone through the preliminary review and is now waiting for a more thorough review.
• Under Review: Your claim is being reviewed, and depending on your case, additional documents may be asked from you. During this time, your claim may be moved to a sub-status called "Special Master Review." This means the VCF's Special Master is making a final determination for your claim.
• Approved: You have been determined eligible to receive compensation.
• Denied: The documents you've submitted do not qualify you for a claim under the VCF.
• Determination Made: Processing: For claims that are in the compensation phase, this status signals that the claim is lined up for quality checks. After that, the claimant will be issued an award letter.
• Compensation Determination Sent: This is the final step of the VCF claims process. This status means your compensation has been calculated. You will receive a formal letter with all the details regarding your VCF claim.

Note that the VCF processes claims in a first-in, first-out order. It may take some time to move forward from each status.

Additional claim statuses for special cases

Depending on your case and your documentation, your claim may go through additional statuses, including:

• Amend or Appeal: You may amend your claim to include additional documents. An amended claim will be re-reviewed by the VCF.
• Assessing Documents: If you submitted new documents without filing an amendment, this status will appear. Your additional documents are being reviewed during this stage.
• Inactive: the VCF will place a claim under inactive status if there are discrepancies or missing documents. You may amend your claim and submit the needed documents to continue your VCF claims process.
• Comp - Unable to process: Your claim is eligible for compensation. However, the VCF cannot continue to process your compensation due to missing documents.
• On Hold - Claimant passed away: the VCF will temporarily stops processing the claim when the claimant has passed away. A personal representative (PR) and additional documents will be needed to proceed with the claim.
• Superseded: The original personal injury claim has been successfully replaced with a deceased claim.

There's no need to worry if you see these claim statuses. Your claim may still be approved, especially with proper legal guidance from an experienced claims attorney. Not every claim ends as approved or denied. Some claims may receive the following statuses:

• Withdrawn: You voluntarily withdrew your VCF claim.
• Cancelled: Duplicate claims are cancelled by the VCF.
• Abandoned: VCF deems that you are no longer interested in filing a claim. You will need to request reactivation to proceed with your claim.

Claim statuses for non-victim claimants

For those who have filed a claim on behalf of a 9/11 victim, these are the statuses you will see:

• Submitted PR: The claim as a personal representative (PR) is submitted and is ready for preliminary review.
• Preliminary PR Review: Initial documents of the claim are being reviewed.
• Awaiting Substantive PR Review: The claim is ready for in-depth review.
• Under PR Review: The claim as a PR is being reviewed.
• Pending PR Validation: The VCF is validating your claim and your authority as a valid PR.
• PR Validated: The VCF has confirmed your validity as a PR.
• PR - Unable to Process: Additional documents are needed to move forward with your VCF claim as a PR.
• PR Denied: The VCF Special Master decided that you are not authorized to be the victim's personal representative.

File your VCF claim with ELG Law

The VCF claims process may seem overwhelming or confusing at first, but you don't have to worry. You can talk to our experienced legal team today to discuss your case and start your 9/11 VCF claims process. With ELG Law's reliable legal support and guidance, you can file your claim with confidence.