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World Trade Center Presumption Deadline Extended

The deadline for members to file a notice with NYSLRS of their participation in the World Trade Center rescue, recovery or cleanup efforts has been extended.

The new deadline is September 11, 2026.

World Trade Center Presumption

What is the World Trade Center Presumption Law?

The World Trade Center Presumption Law provides a presumption that eligible NYSLRS members and retirees — who become permanently disabled and are unable to do their jobs due to certain conditions — can claim their permanent disabilities are the result of participation in World Trade Center rescue, recovery or cleanup operations. The presumption will apply unless it’s proven the condition was the result of other factors.

If you participated and you meet the eligibility requirements, the presumption allows you to:

  • File for an accidental disability retirement in the future;
  • Have an existing disability retirement benefit reclassified as an accidental disability retirement benefit; or
  • Leave your beneficiaries an accidental death benefit.

Your disability or death must be due to one of the qualifying conditions specified in the law.

Who should file?

You must file an Application for World Trade Center Notice (RS6047-N) prior to submitting an Application for World Trade Center Accidental Disability Presumption (RS6047-W). Even if you do not currently suffer one of the qualifying conditionsfiling this notice will protect your rights — and the rights of your beneficiaries — to apply for benefits in the future.

Once you file a notice with NYSLRS, there is no subsequent deadline to file for an accidental disability retirement or retirement reclassification should the need arise.

Questions?

If you have any questions, check out our Frequently Asked Questionsemail us or contact our Call Center toll-free at 1-866-805-0990 (518-474-7736 in the Albany, New York area).

10 thoughts on “World Trade Center Presumption Deadline Extended

    1. NYSLRS Post author

      If you were involved in rescue, recovery or cleanup efforts in the wake of 9/11, the presumption could help you qualify for a World Trade Center accidental disability benefit. The amount of the benefit would be based on your retirement plan.

      For more information about the World Trade Center accidental disability benefit, please email our customer service representatives using the secure email form on our website. One of them will review your account and respond to your questions. Filling out the secure form allows them to safely contact you about your personal account information.

      Reply
  1. Keoni May

    I already received my WTC medical care, by Mt. Sinai, and the WTC Health Program. *** Does that mean, I could also receive something from the State System ?

    Reply
    1. NYSLRS

      For information about how the World Trade Center Presumption Law may apply in your situation, please email our customer service representatives using our secure email form. Filling out the secure form allows them to safely contact you about your personal account information.

      Reply
  2. David Moog

    I retired ordinary service pension after 34 years. If I try to reclassify as WTC Presumptive Disability does this actually increase my pension? The reason I ask is that I took a 100% survivor with a pop up with reduced my pension by 10% (59.4% of FAS) The same option with a disability pension would be reduced by 28% (54% of FAS). Would my pension be reduced if I was granted a WTC Presumptive Disability benefit? Could my current pension be classified as a disability pension without a loss on monthly benefit? I am disabled after working over 120 hours one block from ground zero.

    Reply
    1. NYSLRS Post author

      For account-specific questions about the WTC presumption, please email our customer service representatives using our secure email form. Filling out the secure form allows them to safely contact you about your personal account information.

      Reply
  3. Hadden Garvin

    The sick part of this presumption law is it only provides the uniformed disability benefit to currently employed civilian employees. Thus, those who have suffered debilitating illnesses the longest receive greatly reduced benefits. Who came up with that idea?

    Everyone who suffers such injuries should be entitled to the very same benefits, regardless of when they became disabled.

    Reply
    1. NYSLRS Post author

      Retirement benefits, including disability benefits, are provided by the New York State Retirement and Social Security Law (RSSL), as enacted by the New York State Legislature.

      Reply
  4. Frank Toto

    I was a Safety Officer at RPC
    I responded with what was called project liberty
    Psychological counciling for trauma stricken first responders, however short lived, I myself was traumatized by the effort in and of itself , driving my police car on the sidewalk next to tanks n rocket launchers, No I can not erase the memory permently
    stained within my memory of the images and smell of the burning human remains within the pile of smoldering debris. I served from 1990 through 2009, 12 years of therapy since then and This just continues to haunt us all. I receive workers comp.
    But its not enough .
    An added benefit
    would be welcome.

    Reply

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