Note: Because of the 4th of July holiday weekend, the next NYDISNET will go out on July 16.

Client Story: The Ongoing Impact of 9/11

Mr. Arrigo is a Local 79, unionized laborer who resides in Staten Island and worked on the rescue and recovery efforts near the World Trade Center site from September 2001 to January 2002. As a result of his work there, Mr. Arrigo developed chronic physical and mental health problems. He is now totally disabled from performing any type of work duties due to his 9/11-related illnesses.

Mr. Arrigo functioned as the primary breadwinner for his family of five, including his wife, one son (13 y/o), and two daughters (11 y/o and 9 y/o), but is unable to support his family at this time due to subsequent loss of income. After depleting all of his financial resources and savings, Mr. Arrigo contacted NYDIS in May 2008 to request much-needed assistance. At the time, he and his family were being evicted from their home and had received utilities shut-off notices. Although he had applied for long-term benefits, such as Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability, these claims had not yet been established and the family had no income.

Mr. Arrigo was assigned a case manager at NYDIS, and she is currently working with the Arrigo family on issues of relocation and benefits coordination. She also presented the Arrigo family’s case to the New York City 9/11 Unmet Needs Roundtable. The Roundtable donors funded $7,652.67 of moving expenses, utility expenses, and future supplemental rental payments while the case manager continues to work with the Arrigo family on the development of a sustainable long-term recovery plan.

Please help our clients! Donate now to the NYC 9/11 Unmet Needs Roundtable: click here

:: Governor Paterson Introduces Bill to Extend Benefits for 9/11 First Responders

On June 12, Governor Paterson announced his plans for a bill that would extend the “presumptive accidental disability retirement benefit” to additional categories of people who served as first responders at Ground Zero after 9/11. These additional categories include any responders who worked for any period of time during the first 48 hours after the first plane hit the North Tower as well as non-uniformed responders who had not undergone pre-employment physicals. Both of these groups are not covered under current benefits legislation but are experiencing significant health effects. Governor Paterson’s bill would also extend the deadlines to register for both this accidental disability benefit and the Workers’ Compensation benefits from their current dates to September 11, 2010.

Read the press release:
www.ny.gov/governor/press/press_0612085.html

:: Ground Zero Construction Behind Schedule, Governor Steps In

On June 11, Port Authority announced that it is again behind schedule in the preparations of the World Trade Center site for its developer, Silverstein Properties. The excavation for Tower 2, which was supposed to be completed this month, likely will not be ready until August. In response, Governor Paterson has demanded a complete audit of the rebuilding schedule and budget for the site. If the plans are not realistically achievable, the Governor has requested that Port Authority come up with alternative strategies to ensure that the project is completed in as efficient of a manner as possible. He stressed that the World Trade Center site is vital to the health not only of New York City but also of the state and country. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining public confidence by being transparent and honest about the rebuilding process. Port Authority has until June 30 to provide the Governor with the audit and adapted plans.

Read the press release from Governor Paterson’s Office:
www.ny.gov/governor/press/press_0611083.html

Read the June 12 article in the NY Times:
www.nytimes.com/2008/06/12/nyregion/12wtc.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

:: FEMA Releases 2008 Disaster Housing Plan

On June 10, the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released its 2008 Disaster Housing Plan. The plan describes FEMA’s role of working with local governments and organizations to provide adequate housing for hurricane victims. It includes four priority actions to help them provide safe and timely temporary housing that can be adapted to the specific needs that arise in a given area after a disaster. These four actions include maximizing available housing resources, using traditional forms of interim housing, employing innovative forms of interim housing, and authorizing permanent construction. FEMA’s plan outlines air quality specifications and testing protocols for emergency housing facilities. It also addresses the use of trailers after a disaster and emphasizes that FEMA will only consider that option in extraordinary emergency circumstances.

Read the press release:
www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=43785

:: GAO Report: HHS Lacks Health Plan for Future Disaster Responders

On June 2, Representatives Carolyn Maloney, Christopher Shays, Vito Fossella, and Jerrold Nadler released a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) concerning the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)’s lack of an appropriate plan to protect the health of people who respond to future disasters. The report describes five lessons from 9/11 federal response that offer direction about how the U.S. can prepare to provide adequate health programs for responders in the future. These five lessons include implementing a system for registering responders early on, designing effective screening programs that support health-related research, providing mental health monitoring and treatment in a timely manner, offering referrals for responders who are screened so they can access treatment, and making these services available to all responders without exceptions.

Read the GAO report: click here

Read the press release from the Office of Congresswoman Maloney: click here