One of the most important requirements when filing a claim with the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) is proving you were present in the NYC Exposure Zone between September 11, 2001 and May 30, 2002. This step, called proof of presence, is essential for establishing eligibility for compensation. The VCF cannot process your claim without documentation showing that you lived, worked, went to school, volunteered, responded, or were otherwise in the affected area during the months when toxic dust and debris contaminated lower Manhattan. Fortunately, there are several documents that can be used to show your proof of presence. Here, we explain what proof of presence is, who must provide it, what documents the VCF accepts, common challenges, and what you can do if you no longer have proof of presence records.
