dojN002533.xml

dojN002533.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2002-02-04

Fri Jan 18 2002, 1:18 PM PST show headers

My comments to "Federal Victims (Heroes) Compensation Program"



My comments regarding the Federal Victims(Heroes) Compensation Fund are as follows:

1) The $250,000 non-economic payout is way too low. My sister was only 31 years old and was the
mother of a 10-month old little boy. He will never get the chance to even know his mother.

2) The charts that are being used to calculate the economic payout are extremely outdated. Today,
women work much longer then they did when these charts were formulated. Also, work performed in
the
home needs to be calculated into the formula as well.

3) The fact that payments such as Life Insurance and Social Security Survivor's benefits are subtracted
from the total is insane. In reference to the Social Security Benefits, it's like the government is giving
with
one hand and taking back with the other! In reference to the Life Insurance, why should people be
penalized for the foresight of their loved ones?

4) Also, the fact that you have know way of knowing what your financial payment will be until after you
sign
up for the program, thereby, giving up your right to sue if the total is too low is ridiculous. You should
know exactly what your options are so that you can make an educated decision. You're talking about
people's lives here!

I attended the rally in the Park Avenue Armory last night and everyone in attendance, and I'm sure
many
people0 who were not able to attend, have many of the same grievances.
In fact, Governor Pataki, Mayor Bloomberg and many other government officials voiced the same
concerns.
If this program, is truly meant to compensate the victims or victims' families, these grievances should be
seriously taken into consideration.

As it is now the Federal Victims Compensation Program is an injustice and a disgrace.

If Mr. Feinberg truly cares about the families he will take the time to hear what we have to say and
make
the necessary changes so that the Federal Victims Compensation Program meets the needs of all those
concerned and, in doing so, honors the memory of all those lost on September 11th.

Thank you.
Individual Comment
Middle Village, NY

2002-02-04