Congress created the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund (USVSST Fund) by statute, to provide compensation to a specific group of international terrorism victims harmed by state sponsored terrorism. Since establishing the USVSST Fund in 2015, Congress has amended its governing statute several times, most recently on December 29, 2022.

In general, the USVSST Fund is designed to award compensation to those victims of international state sponsored terrorism who (1) have secured final judgments in a United States district court against a state sponsor of terrorism, or (2) were held hostage at the United States Embassy in Tehran, Iran from 1979 to 1981 (and eligible spouses and children). See FAQ 2.1.

The Special Master of the USVSST Fund is Mary Patrice Brown.

You may obtain the current Application Form (updated January 2023):

• Through the website: You can download a fillable PDF version of the Application Form at www.usvsst.com.
• By telephone: You can request an Application Form by calling toll-free: (855) 720-6966. If you are calling from outside the United States, please call collect: +1 (614) 553-1013.
• By mail: You can also send a written request for an Application Form to the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund, c/o EPIQ, P.O. Box 10299, Dublin, OH 43017-5899.

Alternatively, you may complete the Application Form online at www.usvsst.com. See FAQ 1.3.

You may complete and submit your Application Form online at www.usvsst.com.

You may complete a PDF or paper Application Form and submit your application:

• By email: info@usvsst.com
• By facsimile: For domestic faxes, toll-free to (855) 409 7130. For international faxes, to +1 (614) 553 1426.
• By mail to: Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund, c/o EPIQ, P.O. Box 10299, Dublin, OH 43017 5899.
• By overnight delivery service to: U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund, c/o EPIQ, 5151 Blazer Parkway, Suite A, Dublin, OH 43017.

Part IV of the USVSST Fund’s July 14, 2016 Notice (PDF) published in the Federal Register lists required documentation. To help claimants prepare their claim submissions, the USVSST Fund provides a document checklist at the end of the Application Form.

Please refer to this checklist and the instructions in the Application Form for more information on documents that you need to submit. The USVSST Fund’s website also has a Forms page for claimants’ use.

Applicants must submit any requests for a waiver of a documentation requirement or an extension of time in which to submit a particular document to the Special Master in writing at least 20 business days prior to the application deadline. See FAQ 1.9.

No.

The USVSST Fund will notify you, or your attorney if you are represented, by mail or electronically.

Each applicant must submit his or her own claim, and may submit only one claim.

A final judgment from a United States district court may award compensation to multiple individuals who suffered harm as a result of an act of international terrorism by a state sponsor of terrorism. For example, an individual may have a final judgment and the same judgment may have also awarded compensatory damages to that individual’s spouse. In that situation, the individual and the individual’s spouse would each have their own claim. Each individual must file a separate application, and identify each other as immediate family members.

An individual who received two separate judgments for compensatory awards (e.g., as the spouse of one victim and as a parent or sibling of another victim) should file only one application, identifying both judgments and awards.

No. All of the Special Master’s decisions about compensation from the Fund are final and not subject to administrative or judicial review. However, no later than 30 days after receipt of a written decision by the Special Master, a claimant whose application was denied in whole or in part may request a hearing before the Special Master or his or her designee. No later than 90 days after a hearing, the Special Master must issue a written decision affirming or amending the original decision; the written decision is final and non‑reviewable. See also FAQs 5.1 – 5.7.

In general, the statute requires claimants to file a claim no later than 90 days after the date of obtaining a final judgment. The Special Master retains discretion to grant a claimant a reasonable extension of this deadline upon good cause shown.

The Special Master may also set deadlines for applications to be considered for forthcoming distributions. These application deadlines grow out of the statutory requirements for claims processing and payment calculations. The statute requires pro rata calculations for the USVSST Fund’s distributions to all eligible claimants. To perform pro rata payment calculations, the USVSST Fund must have complete claim information for all eligible claimants, including eligibility, Personal Representative status (if relevant), judgment amounts, payments from sources other than the USVSST Fund, and relevant family relationships and groups. See Payment Calculation Explanations. When making eligibility determinations, the USVSST Fund generally offers claimants opportunities to resolve deficiencies, rather than immediately denying all claims submitted with incomplete or insufficient information or applications. The statute also provides claimants with the opportunity to request a hearing within 30 days if their claims are denied in whole or in part, and provides that they receive a final written decision within 90 days of the hearing. See FAQs 5.1-5.2, 5.7. The Special Master’s application deadline accordingly allows time for these claim processing duties and processes, as well as other requirements such as background checks. The Special Master generally announces the application deadline for the next round of distributions at the same time as she announces that a distribution will be authorized by the next statutory date, January 1 of a certain year. See FAQ 4.26. The USVSST Fund continually accepts applications, and will consider those that are received or that remain incomplete after the deadline for future distributions, if any.

The Fairness for 9/11 Families Act (Fairness Act) reopened the application period for 1983 Beirut barracks bombing victims and 1996 Khobar Towers bombing victims whose final judgments were awarded before December 29, 2022. These claimants must have submitted their applications on or before June 27, 2023.

Applications must include all required documentation, including the final judgment. Applicants must submit to the Special Master in writing at least 20 business days prior to the application deadline any requests for a waiver of a documentation requirement or an extension of time in which to submit a particular document. The requirement to obtain and submit a final judgment by the application deadline cannot be waived.

Yes. The Special Master will keep the names and applications of all victims and applicants confidential in accordance with the governing laws and regulations. Please review the Privacy Act Notice in the Application Form and the System of Records Notices for further information.

If a claimant is represented by an attorney before the USVSST Fund, the USVSST Fund typically communicates only with the claimant’s attorney. See also also FAQ 6.4.

Claimants may authorize the USVSST Fund to communicate with another individual regarding their claim by completing an Authorization for Communication, available on the USVSST Fund’s website under the Forms page.

The Special Master will keep the names and applications of all victims and applicants confidential in accordance with the governing laws and regulations. See FAQ 1.10. This includes deceased individuals on whose behalf a claim has been filed by a Personal Representative. However, any Personal Representative must, prior to filing a claim, provide written notice of the claim to the immediate family of the decedent, the executor or administrator and beneficiaries of the decedent’s will, the beneficiaries of the decedent’s life insurance policies, and any other persons who may reasonably be expected to assert an interest in an award or to have a cause of action to recover damages relating to the wrongful death of the decedent. Immediate family of the decedent includes the spouse, former spouse(s), children, stepchildren, other dependents, siblings, and parents. To assist applicants, relevant forms, such as the “Notice of Filing Claim,” are available on the USVSST Fund’s website under the Forms page. See also FAQ 3.9.

• An individual with a final judgment (i) issued by a United States district court under state or federal law against a foreign state that was designated as a state sponsor of terrorism at the time the acts described in clause (ii) occurred or was so designated as a result of such acts; and (ii) arising from acts of international terrorism, for which the foreign state was determined not to be immune from the jurisdiction of the courts of the United States under section 1605A, or section 1605(a)(7) (as such section was in effect on January 27, 2008), of title 28, United States Code (Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, “FSIA”).
• An individual employed as diplomatic or military personnel or civilian support staff at the United States Embassy in Tehran, Iran, who was taken and held hostage from the Embassy during the period beginning November 4, 1979, and ending through January 20, 1981; or
  the spouse and child of that individual at that time, who is also identified as a member of the proposed class in case number 1:00 CV 03110 (EGS) of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. See FAQs 2.12 – 2.15.
• The “Personal Representative” of a deceased individual in one of the categories described above. See FAQ 3.1.

Note: Each applicant must submit sufficient evidence verifying his or her identity, including date of birth and Social Security Number (if any).

Note: 9/11-related victims and their family members must hold a qualifying judgment to be eligible. Their eligibility does not depend on whether they did or did not file claims with the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). See FAQs 4.6 – 4.7.

The Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act (the Act) defines a final judgment as an enforceable final judgment, decree, or order on liability and damages entered by a United States district court that is not subject to further appellate review. The final judgment awards the claimant compensatory damages on a claim or claims brought in a United States district court, under either federal or state law, arising from acts of international terrorism for which the court found that the foreign state was not immune from the jurisdiction of the courts of the United States under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act. All appeals must be completed before a judgment is final pursuant to the Act.

Yes. In the case of a default judgment entered against a foreign state, the claimant must submit documentation showing either transmittal to the U.S. Department of State or other verified proof of service under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1608(a) and (e). If a default judgment is entered against an instrumentality of a state sponsor of terrorism, the claimant must submit verified proof of service under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1608(b) and (e). See also FAQ 2.11 regarding final judgments against an instrumentality of a state sponsor of terrorism. In the event service cannot be completed under 28 U.S.C. § 1608(e), the Special Master may, in special circumstances and with good cause shown, review service as a matter of discretion.

The Special Master cannot provide you any legal advice and recommends that you consult a licensed legal professional with any questions about seeking a judgment.

No, except for claims by qualifying Iran hostages, or their eligible spouses or children. All other claims must be based on a final judgment. See FAQ 2.1 regarding eligible claimants.

No. Non-U.S. citizens who otherwise qualify may be eligible. See FAQ 2.1 regarding eligible claimants. See also 34 U.S.C. § 20144(j)(8).

No, only compensatory damages are eligible. The Act defines compensatory damages as excluding pre-judgment and post-judgment interest or punitive damages. Thus, if the United States district court awarded a claimant, for example, punitive damages as part of his or her final judgment, the punitive damages will not be considered in the USVSST Fund’s award calculation. See FAQ 4.1.

For information regarding the lump sum catch-up payments set forth in the Fairness Act, see FAQs 7.1 – 7.4.

The Act limits eligible final judgments to those issued by a United States district court on a claim or claims under either federal or state law, arising from acts of international terrorism for which the court found that the foreign state was not immune from the jurisdiction of the courts of the United States under the FSIA. See also FAQ 2.11 (judgments against an instrumentality of a state sponsor of terrorism). Judgments issued against non-state actors, or against terrorists, for terrorist acts under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) or other statutes, do not qualify. See also FAQ 2.10.

The Act defines a state sponsor of terrorism as a country that the U.S. Secretary of State has determined has a government that has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism. The U.S. Department of State lists current state sponsors of terrorism on its website: https://www.state.gov/state-sponsors-of-terrorism/.

Periods of Designation as State Sponsors of Terrorism

If your judgment is solely against a terrorist group – like al-Qaeda or Hamas – and not against a state sponsor of terrorism, you are not eligible for compensation from the USVSST Fund.

If the judgment is against an instrumentality of a state sponsor of terrorism, your judgment may be eligible. For example, if the judgment is against Iran’s MOIS and you were awarded compensatory damages under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, then that judgment could qualify as an eligible final judgment, if it meets all other requirements.

The deadline for applications from hostages has now passed. Documentation to verify being held hostage included, for example, employment records, correspondence from the U.S. Department of State, an affirmation signed under penalty of perjury, or records of receipt of related benefits from the U.S. government under civil service or other laws.

The deadline for applications from hostages has now passed. Under an amendment to the Act, individuals who were not held hostage for the entire time could be found eligible, and must have filed claims by February 19, 2020. See FAQs 2.15 and 4.3.

The Act requires that the United States person must have been “taken and held hostage from the United States embassy in Tehran, Iran…” Thus, those claimants who were not taken from the United States embassy are ineligible for compensation from the USVSST Fund.

The deadline for applications from spouses and children of hostages has now passed; it was October 12, 2016. To be eligible, the claimant must have shown, among other things, that he or she is a member of the proposed class in case number 1:00-CV-03110 (EGS) of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. If claiming eligibility as a spouse or child of an Iran hostage, that (Roeder I) class definition states that the individual must be the spouse or child of the hostage “at the time” the hostage was held at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran. The Special Master looked to the law of the domicile of the hostage at that time to determine if the spouse or child qualified for compensation.

If you are a U.S. person who was a judgment creditor in Peterson or a Settling Judgment Creditor in In Re 650 Fifth Avenue & Related Properties, you had three options with respect to filing a claim with the USVSST Fund.

• Not participating in the USVSST Fund – no action required, and no compensation from the USVSST Fund.
• Participating in the USVSST Fund – you must have provided written notice in accordance with the Act by September 12, 2016. See FAQ 2.17. You must also have filed an application by October 12, 2016.
• Filing an application for conditional payment – you must have filed an application by October 12, 2016, or February 19, 2020 if the Act extended your application deadline, indicating that the application is conditional. See FAQ 2.18.

The deadlines for electing to participate and filing applications for conditional payment have passed.

The Fairness Act exempted certain claimants from these statutory provisions. Specifically, the provisions do not apply to 1983 Beirut barracks bombing victims and 1996 Khobar Towers bombing victims who held judgments before December 29, 2022 and for whom the Fairness Act reopened the application period until June 27, 2023. See FAQ 7.3 for additional information about 1983 Beirut barracks bombing victims and 1996 Khobar Towers bombing victims. Claimants exempted from the statutory provisions regarding judgment creditors should review FAQ 7.3 for information about applying to the USVSST Fund. The options in the statutory provisions above remain in force as to claimants who applied to the USVSST Fund before the enactment of the Fairness Act.

The Fairness Act exempted certain claimants from other statutory provisions regarding these judgment creditors (see FAQ 2.16). Specifically, the provisions do not apply to 1983 Beirut barracks bombing victims and 1996 Khobar Towers bombing victims who held judgments before December 29, 2022 and for whom the Fairness Act reopened the application period until June 27, 2023. See FAQ 2.16. See also FAQ 7.3 for additional information about 1983 Beirut barracks bombing victims and 1996 Khobar Towers bombing victims. Claimants exempted from the statutory provisions regarding judgment creditors should review FAQ 7.3 for information about applying to the USVSST Fund. These statutory provisions remain in force as to claimants who applied to the USVSST Fund before the enactment of the Fairness Act.

The deadline for individuals not exempted under the Fairness Act to elect to participate in the USVSST Fund has passed. If you were a judgment creditor in Peterson or a Settling Judgment Creditor in In Re 650 Fifth Avenue & Related Properties who chose to participate in the USVSST Fund, you must have elected to do so by (1) providing written notice by September 12, 2016 to the Attorney General, the Special Master, and the chief judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York; and (2) acknowledging in writing that, by so electing, you irrevocably assigned to the USVSST Fund all rights, title, and interest in your claims to the assets at issue in the identified proceedings.

In addition to the written notices described above, those electing to participate in the USVSST Fund must have submitted an application by October 12, 2016. See FAQ 1.9.

The Fairness Act exempted certain claimants from other statutory provisions regarding these judgment creditors (see FAQ 2.16). Specifically, the provisions do not apply to 1983 Beirut barracks bombing victims and 1996 Khobar Towers bombing victims who held judgments before December 29, 2022 and for whom the Fairness Act reopened the application period until June 27, 2023. See FAQ 2.16. See also FAQ 7.3 for additional information about 1983 Beirut barracks bombing victims and 1996 Khobar Towers bombing victims. Claimants exempted from the statutory provisions regarding judgment creditors should review FAQ 7.3 for information about applying to the USVSST Fund. These statutory provisions remain in force as to claimants who applied to the USVSST Fund before the enactment of the Fairness Act.

The deadline for individuals not exempted under the Fairness Act to file an application for conditional payment with the USVSST Fund has passed. If you were a judgment creditor in Peterson or a Settling Judgment Creditor in In Re 650 Fifth Avenue & Related Properties who chose to submit an application for conditional payment with the USVSST Fund, you must have submitted your application and supporting documentation by the October 12, 2016 deadline, or February 19, 2020 if the Act extended your application deadline. You must have indicated on the Application Form that you were seeking a conditional payment, and also have made the appropriate certifications in Part IV of the Application Form.

The Personal Representative is the individual authorized to submit a claim on behalf of an eligible deceased claimant. The Personal Representative is normally the individual appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction — such as a state surrogate or probate court — as one of the following:

• the personal representative of the deceased claimant’s will or estate,
• the executor of the deceased claimant’s will, or
• the administrator of the deceased claimant’s estate.

If no Personal Representative or executor or administrator has been appointed by any court of competent jurisdiction, and as long as there is no pending litigation or other dispute about the identity of the Personal Representative, the person named by the deceased claimant in his or her will as the executor or administrator of the deceased claimant’s estate is the Personal Representative. If no will exists, the Personal Representative is the first person in the line of succession established by the laws of the deceased claimant’s domicile governing intestacy. In very limited circumstances, the Special Master may, at his or her discretion, determine the Personal Representative for purposes of compensation by the Fund.

In most cases, the identity of the Personal Representative will not be in dispute. Any claim submitted by an individual who has not demonstrated his or her authority as Personal Representative is incomplete and will not be reviewed for an eligibility determination.

Note: The determination of the Personal Representative is not the same question as the determination of who ultimately receives the award distribution. If the claim is eligible for compensation from the USVSST Fund, the Personal Representative will receive the award payment and shall distribute the award in a manner consistent with the decedent’s will, the law of the decedent’s domicile, or a ruling by a court of competent jurisdiction; or in accordance with the terms of an agreement among all beneficiaries who would be entitled to a share of the award.

Note: As noted in FAQ 2.1, each applicant, including a Personal Representative, must submit sufficient evidence verifying his or her identity, including date of birth and Social Security Number (if any).

The Special Master cannot provide you any legal advice and recommends that you consult a licensed legal professional with any questions about seeking an appointment as a Personal Representative. Because state law governs the appointment of Personal Representatives, the Special Master generally notes that this may require action in the probate or surrogate court in the state where the deceased claimant lived to become the Personal Representative. The process varies by state.

Disputes among relatives, former spouses, and other interested parties can be exceptionally fact-intensive and time-consuming. Indeed, state courts often spend considerable time and resources resolving disputed matters. Consequently, the Special Master does not arbitrate, litigate, or otherwise resolve disputes as to the identity of the Personal Representative.

Instead, to ensure that USVSST Fund awards are not needlessly tied up due to disputes regarding the identity of the Personal Representative, the disputing parties may agree in writing to the identity of a Personal Representative to act on their behalf, who may seek and accept payment from the USVSST Fund while those disputing parties work to settle their dispute. In appropriate cases, the Special Master may determine an award, but withhold payment until the dispute regarding the Personal Representative is finally resolved, or the Special Master may pay an award to a court of competent jurisdiction that is adjudicating a dispute about the Personal Representative.

In most cases, if you have been appointed as the personal representative, executor, or administrator by a court, you should provide copies of relevant legal documents, such as court orders, letters testamentary, letters of administration, or similar documentation. If your appointment document has expired or contains limitations or restrictions that affect your continuing authority to file a claim with the USVSST Fund on behalf of the deceased victim, you must explain why you are still legally authorized to file the claim. You should identify and submit an explanation of any applicable laws.

If you have been unable to secure appointment by a court as the personal representative of the decedent’s estate or as the executor or administrator of the decedent’s will or estate, but were named as the executor in the victim’s will, you will need to provide a copy of the will.

If there is no will, you may demonstrate that you are the first person in the line of succession under the laws of the deceased victim’s domicile governing intestacy. If any other individuals share priority with you in the line of succession established by the laws of the deceased victim’s domicile governing intestacy, those individuals must consent to you serving as Personal Representative. The Special Master retains discretion to designate a Personal Representative for purposes of filing a claim with the USVSST Fund who is not next in the line of succession under the laws of the deceased victim’s domicile governing intestacy.

All Personal Representatives must inform the USVSST Fund if their status as Personal Representative is the subject of pending litigation or other dispute. See FAQ 3.3 for additional information regarding disputes over who should be the Personal Representative.

Note: All applicants have a continuing obligation to update claim information, including any changes in Personal Representative. If the identity of the Personal Representative changes, the new Personal Representative must submit new material demonstrating the new Personal Representative’s authority to act for the estate.

Yes. The term “co-Personal Representatives” includes both co-executors of a will, and co-administrators of an estate when there is no will. If co-Personal Representatives are appointed, both co-Personal Representatives must execute the certifications and sign the Application Form as well as Certification of Personal Representative once the claim is found eligible for payment. Both co-Personal Representatives, if represented by an attorney, must submit a retainer signed in their capacities as Personal Representatives. See FAQ 6.3.

The applicant must submit sufficient documentation demonstrating that the person appointed as the Personal Representative was the correct individual under foreign law for the Special Master to accept the appointment. An applicant should submit additional supporting documentation detailing the reasonable steps undertaken to confirm the proper appointment of the Personal Representative under the laws of the foreign state, and confirming that any eligible claim amount will be distributed in accordance with the laws of the foreign state. See also FAQ 3.7 regarding submission of foreign-language documents, if relevant.

In the rare instance where a foreign appointment and a domestic appointment conflict, and the parties are unable to agree upon the appropriate Personal Representative for purposes of filing a claim with the USVSST Fund, the parties may refer the dispute to a court of competent jurisdiction for resolution. See also FAQ 3.3.

All documents submitted in languages other than English must be accompanied by a complete translation into English. In addition, you must include a certification from the translator in English that the translation is complete and accurate and that the translator is competent. The certification must include the date and the translator’s name, signature, and address.

In limited circumstances, the Special Master may consider the claims of those who cannot secure an appointment. However, these cases will be rare, and applicants must provide detailed documentation and a description of the extenuating circumstances.

Awards for eligible decedents will generally be made to the qualified Personal Representative, who must distribute the award in a manner consistent with the decedent’s will, the law of the decedent’s domicile, or a ruling by a court of competent jurisdiction; or in accordance with the terms of an agreement among all beneficiaries who would be entitled to a share of the award. See FAQ 3.10 for additional information.

Personal Representatives must complete a Certification of Personal Representative. For additional information, please review the USVSST Fund’s January 24, 2022 notice regarding updates to USVSST Fund estate claim processing.

Note: All claimants have a continuing obligation to update claim information, including any changes to a previously approved Proposed Distribution Plan (PDP). If a change to the previously approved PDP is necessary, the Personal Representative should submit the Certification of Personal Representative in lieu of a revised PDP. The Personal Representative does not need to provide a new PDP.

In general, eligible claims will be paid on a pro rata basis out of available funds, based on the amounts outstanding and unpaid on eligible claims, until all those amounts have been paid in full or the USVSST Fund sunsets in 2039.

For the first two rounds of distributions, the Act required all awards to be calculated together. For the third round and any subsequent distributions, the Act requires the USVSST Fund to divide all available funds in half, and to allocate 50% of the available funds to non-9/11-related victims and the remaining 50% to 9/11-related victims.

In addition, the Act sets forth statutory limitations, or caps, on awards in certain circumstances. In the event any applicant is awarded in a judgment gross compensatory damages that exceed $20 million, the Special Master will treat that claim as if the compensatory award was for $20 million. This cap applies to both non-9/11-related and 9/11-related claimants.

The Act sets forth different family caps for non-9/11-related and 9/11-related claimants, applicable to the third round and any subsequent distributions. Non-9/11-related claimants are subject to a $35 million cap with the immediate family members of the victim. The Act requires that the 9/11-related claimants be subject to family group caps of either $35 million or $20 million, as illustrated in the chart below.

Individual and Family Caps Under the Act

See FAQs 4.8 and 4.10 regarding how sources other than the USVSST Fund will be factored into calculating awards. See also FAQ 4.2 for definitions of non-9/11-related victim, 9/11-related victim, 9/11 victim, spouse of a 9/11 victim, 9/11 dependent, and 9/11 family member.

For information regarding the lump sum catch-up payments set forth in the Fairness Act, see FAQs 7.1 – 7.4.

• Immediate family member: The Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) guides the definition of who is an immediate family member for purposes of the USVSST Fund. The Special Master has determined that immediate family members are a spouse, domestic partner, child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, brother, sister, half-brother, and half-sister of the direct victim whose injury or death was the basis of the FSIA judgment. If an immediate family member is deceased, the applicant should still identify the immediate family member, note that he or she is deceased, and provide any relevant estate information.

The Act defines “non-9/11 related victim,” and “9/11 related victim” (see below). These definitions do not govern eligibility (see FAQ 2.1) but do affect payment calculations (see FAQ 4.1) and attorneys’ fees (see FAQ 6.2).

• Non-9/11 related victim: A United States person who has an eligible claim that is unrelated to the acts of international terrorism carried out on September 11, 2001.
• 9/11 related victim: A United States person who has an eligible claim that is related to the acts of international terrorism carried out on September 11, 2001. Eligibility for the USVSST Fund is governed by the USVSST Fund statute, not whether a claimant did or did not file a claim in the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF1 or VCF2). See FAQ 2.1. See also FAQs 4.7 and 4.8 for information regarding VCF claims.
  • 9/11 victim: A United States person whose injury or death stems from the acts of international terrorism carried on September 11, 2001.
  • 9/11 spouse: In general, a United States person who was, or could have been, reported as spouse on the 9/11 victim’s federal tax return. This includes a same-sex spouse who was lawfully married to the victim under then-applicable state law.
  • 9/11 dependent:
    • In general, a United States person who the 9/11 victim reported, or could have reported, as a dependent on the 9/11 victim’s federal tax return, such as a minor child; or
    • Child of the 9/11 victim who had not, before November 21, 2019, received payment from the USVSST Fund.
  • 9/11 family member: Immediate family member of a 9/11 victim who is not a 9/11 spouse or 9/11 dependent.

For additional definitions, see FAQ 7.3.

For those claimants, the eligible claim amount is set by the Act as the sum total of $10,000 per day for each day the claimant was held hostage from the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran, during the period beginning November 4, 1979, and ending January 20, 1981.

As with final judgment amounts, these eligible claim award amounts are subject to pro rata calculation in accordance with the terms of the Act.

Eligible claimants do not need to resubmit an application to receive funds if the USVSST Fund makes additional rounds of payments.

The Special Master will authorize additional payment rounds if sufficient funds are available. For information regarding the lump sum catch-up payments set forth in the Fairness Act, see FAQs 7.1 - 7.4.

All eligible claimants and any applicants whose claims are pending have an ongoing obligation to submit updated information as it arises, such as new compensation from sources other than the USVSST Fund, significant developments involving the final judgment, or changes in applicant or Personal Representative. See Notice to Update Claim Information.

Yes. The USVSST Fund will issue payments only to accounts held in United States domestic banks or financial institutions, and not to any foreign bank or financial institution. Prior to the distribution of any award payments, claimants must submit documentation identifying a U.S. based account. See also FAQ 8.11.

VCF claims no longer affect payments from the USVSST Fund. The Act no longer contains an earlier statutory provision that precluded USVSST Fund payments to eligible claimants who had received an award or award determination from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF1 or VCF2) under section 405 of the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act. Accordingly, under the current governing legislation, if 9/11 victims or their immediate family members have qualifying claims, they may receive compensation from the USVSST Fund, regardless of whether they did or did not apply to VCF1 or VCF2.

VCF claims no longer affect payments from the USVSST Fund. See FAQ 4.6. Please refer to VCF for any questions about VCF at www.vcf.gov.

The Act defines a “source other than” the USVSST Fund as any collateral source, including any life insurance, pension funds, death benefit program, payment by Federal, state, or local government, and court awarded compensation related to the act of international terrorism that gave rise to a claimant’s final judgment, except that the term does not include payments received in connection with an international claims agreement to which the United States is a state party or any other settlement of terrorism related claims against Sudan.

The applicant must identify on the Application Form, to the best of the applicant’s knowledge, all sources other than the USVSST Fund that the claimant (or, in the case of a Personal Representative, the deceased claimant and any beneficiary of the deceased claimant) has received or is entitled or scheduled to receive as a result of the act of international terrorism that gave rise to the claimant’s final judgment, including information identifying the amount, nature, and source of that compensation. The applicant must keep the USVSST Fund informed of any compensation that the claimant, or the claimant’s beneficiaries, received or are entitled or scheduled to receive from sources other than the USVSST Fund throughout the life of the USVSST Fund.

The Special Master retains discretion in assessing any identified source other than the USVSST Fund and determining how it will factor into an award calculation. As one example, if the claimant is deceased, life insurance payments paid on personally secured policies must be identified as a source other than the USVSST Fund but will not affect eligible claimants’ awards.

Money received from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF1 or VCF2) whether as an award, award determination, or estate distribution will not be considered an offset for USVSST Fund award calculations. However, as required by the Act, USVSST Fund claimants must identify compensation received from VCF1 or VCF2.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, amended the term “source other than this Fund” to exclude payments received in connection with an international claims agreement to which the United States is a state party or any other settlement of terrorism related claims against Sudan. As a result, claimants need not report recoveries from those sources.

The Act defines "entitled or scheduled to receive" as any potential recovery where that person or his or her representative is a party to any civil or administrative action pending in any court or agency of competent jurisdiction in which the party seeks to enforce the judgment giving rise to the application to the USVSST Fund.

The Act requires that the claimant provide the Special Master with information regarding sources other than the USVSST Fund, and to update that information. See FAQs 4.8 and 4.9. The Special Master then reviews and determines an award calculation based on amounts outstanding and unpaid on a final judgment, as well as other statutory limitations. See the payment calculation explanations posted on the Distributions and Payments page of the USVSST Fund’s website for more information on treatment of sources other than the USVSST Fund in the most recent distribution.

If an eligible claimant has received, or is entitled to or scheduled to receive, a payment that is equal to, or in excess of, 30% of the total compensatory damages owed to the claimant from any source other than the USVSST Fund, he or she will not receive any payment from the USVSST Fund until such time as all other eligible claimants have received from the USVSST Fund an amount equal to 30% of the compensatory damages awarded to those claimants under their final judgments.

But if the claimant has received some but less than 30% of the compensatory damages owed to that claimant under the final judgment from a source other than the Fund, the claimant’s award calculation will be based on the difference between the percentage of compensatory damages the claimant has received from sources other than the USVSST Fund and the percentage of compensatory damages to be awarded other eligible claimants from the USVSST Fund. No special application is required for these claimants; the Special Master will use the information provided on the Application Form for these calculations. All applicants, including claimants who have received compensation from the USVSST Fund, have a continuing obligation to submit updated information regarding compensation from sources other than the USVSST Fund. See Notice to Update Claim Information (PDF).

No. This statutory provision requires the USVSST Fund to account for payments from sources other than the USVSST Fund and to adjust award amounts. A separate provision of the Clarification Act establishes the statutory limitations or caps on awards in certain circumstances. See FAQs 4.1 and 4.3.

No. The Special Master will not authorize any emergency or other advance award payments.

The USVSST Fund authorizes payments in accordance with the statute’s deadlines. Because there is no way to precisely predict the number of eligible claims or the total amounts to be deposited in the USVSST Fund over time, there is no way to predict what percentage of eligible claims will be paid until the USVSST Fund sunsets in 2039.

Payments to claimants who submitted applications for conditional payment as a judgment creditor in Peterson or a Settling Judgment Creditor in In Re 650 Fifth Avenue & Related Properties (or both) are subject to additional terms under the Act. The USVSST Fund determines award payment amounts for Settling Judgment Creditors in In Re 650 Fifth Avenue who filed applications for conditional payment but withholds payment pending a final judgment in those proceedings. Claimants who filed applications for conditional payment as judgment creditors in Peterson did not receive payments because funds were distributed in those proceedings.

For information regarding the lump sum catch-up payments set forth in the Fairness Act, see FAQs 7.1 – 7.4.

The Special Master’s final decision will inform the claimant only of the claim’s eligibility and the eligible claim amount to be used in calculating any award. Claimants will be notified separately of specific award amounts when the USVSST Fund is preparing to make a distribution. Because the USVSST Fund may find additional claimants eligible and receive additional appropriations or deposits into the USVSST Fund, as well as make further distributions, the full amount of payments cannot be determined until the USVSST Fund sunsets in 2039.

For information regarding the lump sum catch-up payments set forth in the Fairness Act, see FAQs 7.1 – 7.4.

The Special Master recommends that you direct any tax-related questions to a tax professional. The USVSST Fund does not issue any IRS forms such as the IRS Form 1099.

The Special Master will keep the awards confidential in accordance with the governing laws and regulations. See FAQ 1.10. Statutorily required Congressional reporting does not include identification of individual claimants. The Act requires the Special Master, within 30 days after authorizing the payment for compensation of eligible claims, to submit to the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate a report on the payment of eligible claims, including the number of applications approved and the amount of each award, the number of applications denied and the reasons for the denial, the number of applications for compensation that are pending for which compensatory damages have not been paid in full, and the total amount of compensatory damages from eligible claims that have been paid and that remain unpaid. Copies of these Congressional reports are available on the USVSST Fund’s website in the News and Reports page.

The USVSST Fund will make payments on eligible claims into United States domestic accounts (not to foreign accounts, see FAQ 4.5) designated by the claimants. A claimant may designate a personal bank account or brokerage account, or the claimant’s attorney’s client trust account (e.g., IOLTA account). In extremely limited circumstances at the discretion of the Special Master, claimants may designate other types of accounts, such as trusts, to receive the payments. The Special Master will not, however, enter into, approve, or ratify any related payment distribution agreements or any terms of such agreements, such as structured settlements.

You or your attorney must complete the ACH Payment Form to receive by direct deposit the award payment amount. The claimant or the individual who is authorized to receive payment on the claimant’s behalf must complete, sign, and date the ACH Payment Form. The ACH Payment Form is available on the USVSST Fund’s website on the Forms page. In addition, if a Personal Representative filed an estate claim, that Personal Representative must submit the "Certification of Personal Representative" prior to receiving an award payment. See FAQs 3.9 and 3.10. That form is available on the USVSST Fund’s website on the Forms page.

The Special Master does not determine attorneys’ fees or costs; that is to be determined between attorneys and clients. Statutory limitations on attorneys’ fees and costs apply to all claim awards. The Clarification Act established different limitations for 9/11-related claims and non-9/11-related claims. See FAQ 6.2.

No. The USVSST Fund will not pay attorneys’ fees. The USVSST Fund will send payment to the account designated for payment by the claimant. While claimants may designate their attorneys’ client trust accounts (e.g., IOLTA accounts) to receive payments on their behalf, the Special Master does not determine attorneys’ fees or costs.

The Special Master recommends all parties seek advice from a legal professional regarding any attorneys' fees and costs disputes. The Special Master will not adjudicate any fee and cost disputes, nor accept any liens (such as charging liens submitted by a former attorney).

The Special Master will not adjudicate disputes about representation. Claimants must provide accurate information regarding representation to the USVSST Fund. A claimant may change or remove the attorney(s) listed on an Application Form by completing the Change of Attorney Form, available on the USVSST Fund’s website on the Forms page. If more than one application is filed on behalf of a single claimant, the Special Master may not be able to make a payment on the claim until the dispute is resolved among the parties.

The USVSST Fund authorizes payments pursuant to statutory deadlines. The Special Master authorized the fourth round of payments by January 1, 2023. If sufficient funds are available, the Special Master will authorize subsequent rounds of payments by January 1, in 2025 or in subsequent years, until the USVSST Fund sunsets in 2039. Before making payments, the Special Master informs all eligible claimants of the specific payment amount calculated for their claims.

For information regarding the lump sum catch-up payments set forth in the Fairness Act, see FAQs 7.1 – 7.4.

The USVSST Fund generally makes payments on a rolling basis, beginning as soon as possible after the Special Master authorizes them. If sufficient funds are available, the Special Master will authorize subsequent rounds of payment by January 1, in 2025 and subsequent years, until the USVSST Fund sunsets in 2039.

For information regarding the lump sum catch-up payments set forth in the Fairness Act, see FAQs 7.1 – 7.4.

Yes. If you have delinquent debts, there may be a delay in your payment. See FAQ 8.13. Also, if you are criminally culpable for an act of international terrorism, you are statutorily precluded from receiving compensation from the USVSST Fund.

The Special Master authorized the fourth round of payments by January 1, 2023. If sufficient funds are available, the Special Master will authorize subsequent rounds of payments by January 1, in 2025 or in subsequent years, until the USVSST Fund sunsets in 2039. In determining whether to authorize a distribution, the Special Master considers the statutory framework, the estimated funds available, the estimated potential payment amounts, the time since the last authorized distribution, and victim expectations. The USVSST Fund’s governing Act requires the appointment or reappointment of a Special Master when there is more than $100 million in the USVSST Fund, which does not necessarily mean there are sufficient funds for a distribution. For example, USVSST Fund balances include monies that are not available for immediate distribution, such as monies the statute requires the Special Master to allocate and preserve for conditional claims (see FAQs 2.16, 2.18). The USVSST Fund continues to work diligently to identify matters that qualify for deposit.

For information regarding the lump sum catch-up payments set forth in the Fairness Act, see FAQs 7.1 – 7.4.

In addition to statutory limitations, examples of other factors that may affect your USVSST Fund award payment amount include a change to your final judgment amount or to the total compensatory damages awarded to your family members. These changes may require individualized adjustments to how your payments are calculated. See D4 Payment Calculation Explanations for both 9/11-related and non-9/11-related claimants, available on the Distributions and Payments page.

For information regarding the lump sum catch-up payments set forth in the Fairness Act, see FAQs 7.1-7.4.

The USVSST Fund continuously accumulates deposits from qualifying cases. The Financials page of the USVSST Fund website and FAQ Section 9 include information about cases that qualify for deposit into the USVSST Fund.

If your claim was denied in whole or in part, you may request a hearing. You are not required to request a hearing. If you do timely request a hearing, the Special Master or his or her designee will conduct one. See FAQs 5.2, 5.5, and 5.6.

Claimants whose claims were denied in whole or in part may notify the Special Master of any suspected error or mistake in the eligibility decision and request a review without waiving their right to a hearing. However, requesting a review of the decision does not toll the 30-day time period within which to request a hearing. See FAQ 5.2.

Yes. A claimant whose claim is denied in whole or in part has 30 days after receipt of a written decision by the Special Master to request a hearing.

Yes. Eligible claimants should promptly notify the Special Master of any suspected error or mistake and request a review.

No. An award payment calculation does not constitute a denial, nor does an eligibility determination or award calculation for any other claimant.

The Special Master or designees of the Special Master will conduct the hearing.

The statute does not set a specific time limit or format for the hearing. Based on the circumstances of the claim, the Special Master or his or her designee shall determine the time, location, duration, and procedures for the hearing.

The statute provides that not later than 90 days after a hearing the Special Master will issue a final written decision affirming or amending the original decision, and the Special Master will make every effort to issue decisions expeditiously. The written decision is final and non-reviewable.

You are not required to hire an attorney to represent you before the USVSST Fund. However, you have the right to be represented by an attorney.

The Special Master does not determine attorneys’ fees or costs; that is to be determined between attorneys and clients. Notwithstanding any retainer or other agreement for legal services you have entered, the Act states that no attorney representing a non-9/11-related victim of state sponsored terrorism shall charge, receive, or collect, and the Special Master will not approve, any payment of fees and costs that in the aggregate exceeds 25% of any award payment.

The Act further states that after November 21, 2019, no attorney representing a 9/11-related victim of state sponsored terrorism shall charge, receive, or collect, and the Special Master will not approve, any payment of fees and costs that in the aggregate exceeds 15% of any award payment. See also FAQs 4.19-4.21 regarding payments and attorneys’ fees. Acknowledgement and Certification of Compliance Forms for claimants and attorneys are available on the USVSST Fund’s website on the Forms page.

The USVSST Fund requires that attorneys submit documentation of their authority to represent the applicant. Attorneys may submit a copy of an existing executed retainer agreement; the USVSST Fund does not need a newly executed agreement, only the one on file. If an applicant dies and his or her individual claim is converted to an estate claim, the Personal Representative must provide documentation of the attorney’s authority to represent the Personal Representative in his or her capacity as Personal Representative. See also FAQ 4.22 regarding disputes about which attorney represents a claimant.

As a general matter, if a claimant is represented by an attorney before the USVSST Fund, the USVSST Fund can communicate only with the claimant’s attorney. Except for notices of a change of attorney, if a represented claimant or their authorized alternative contact communicates separately with the USVSST Fund, the USVSST Fund will direct its response and the incoming communication to the claimant’s attorney. The USVSST Fund will send claim records only to claimants or their attorneys. See also FAQs 1.10 and 4.22.

Lump sum catch-up payments are one-time payments the Act directs the USVSST Fund Special Master to make to certain claimants using separate funding, apart from the USVSST Fund’s other statutory distributions. The Comptroller General, Government Accountability Office (GAO) provides to the Special Master reports in which GAO establishes which claimants are eligible for these payments and how they are calculated. Claimants do not need to file additional or separate applications for lump sum catch–up payments. Each claimant has one claim before the USVSST Fund for all compensation, including lump sum catch-up payments. The USVSST Fund cannot accept duplicative filings.

9/11-related lump sum catch-up payments:

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, required the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct an audit and prepare a report on proposed lump sum catch-up payments to certain 9/11 victims, 9/11 spouses, and 9/11 dependents. GAO published its report (PDF) on these estimated lump sum catch-up payments on August 11, 2021. The legislation requiring the audit and report did not authorize or appropriate any funds for these payments, and did not authorize the Special Master to make them.

The Fairness Act, enacted on December 29, 2022, amended the Act to direct the Special Master to authorize these payments and to appropriate funds for use only as “such sums necessary” to pay these lump sum catch-up payments. The legislation directed the Special Master to make the payments in amounts equal to those calculated by the GAO. The GAO report establishes which claimants are eligible for these payments and how they are calculated.

Lump sum catch-up payments to certain 1983 Beirut barracks bombing victims and certain 1996 Khobar Towers bombing victims:

The Fairness Act requires the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct an audit to determine proposed lump sum catch-up payments to certain 1983 Beirut barracks bombing victims and certain 1996 Khobar Towers bombing victims. See FAQs 7.2 – 7.3 for additional information. The Fairness Act also established a “lump sum catch-up payment reserve fund” within the USVSST Fund, and appropriated $3,000,000,000 to that reserve fund.

The Comptroller General published a notice in the Federal Register on December 28, 2023 related to these proposed catch‑up payments, and will accept public comments until January 28, 2024. Within 30 days after that, the Comptroller General must submit a report to Congress and the Special Master that includes determinations of the amount of the payments. Until the report is complete, the Special Master and the USVSST Fund cannot predict the Comptroller General’s determination of these amounts. Not earlier than 90 days after the date on which the Comptroller General submits the report, and not later than one year after that date, the Special Master shall authorize the lump sum catch‑up payments from the reserve fund.

9/11-related lump sum catch-up payments: Certain 9/11 victims, 9/11 spouses, and 9/11 dependents, for whom GAO calculated lump sum catch-up payments in its 2021 report, were eligible to receive lump sum catch-up payments. See FAQ 4.2 for definitions of 9/11 victim, 9/11 spouse, and 9/11 dependent. The GAO report established which claimants were eligible for these payments and how they were calculated. These claimants did not need to reapply to the USVSST Fund in order to receive their catch‑up payments. In April 2023, the USVSST Fund informed eligible 9/11‑related claimants of their GAO‑determined lump sum catch‑up payment amounts, and issued over 90 percent of the payments within one month.

Lump sum catch-up payments to certain 1983 Beirut barracks bombing victims and certain 1996 Khobar Towers bombing victims: Victims of the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing and the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing may also be eligible for catch-up payments. See FAQ 7.3 for additional information. The number of eligible claimants and estimated payment amounts will not be available until GAO submits its report to Congress and the Special Master. See also FAQ 7.1.

Eligibility for lump sum catch-up payments: GAO will determine which claimants are eligible for these payments and how they are calculated. The victims for whom the Fairness Act requires GAO to determine proposed lump sum catch-up payments are:

1983 Beirut barracks bombing victim:

• a plaintiff, or estate or successor in interest thereof, whose claim arises out of the October 23, 1983, bombing of the United States Marine Corps barracks in Beirut, Lebanon;
• whose judgment was awarded before December 29, 2022;
• who applied to the USVSST Fund between December 29, 2022 and June 27, 2023; and
• whose claim is determined to be eligible by the Special Master.

1996 Khobar Towers bombing victim:

• a plaintiff, or estate or successor in interest thereof, whose claim arises out of the June 25, 1996 bombing of the Khobar Tower housing complex in Saudi Arabia;
• whose judgment was awarded before December 29, 2022;
• who applied to the USVSST Fund between December 29, 2022 and June 27, 2023; and
• whose claim is determined to be eligible by the Special Master.

These claimants may be eligible for lump sum catch-up payments regardless of whether they are judgment creditors in Peterson and Settling Judgment Creditors in In Re 650 Fifth Avenue & Related Properties. See FAQs 2.16-2.18 for additional information.

Victims of these same acts of international terrorism who are not eligible for lump sum catch-up payments under the Fairness Act, such as USVSST Fund claimants previously found eligible, may still be eligible for compensation in the USVSST Fund’s other statutory distributions. Victims who are eligible for lump sum catch-up payments also may be eligible for compensation in the USVSST Fund’s other statutory distributions.

Applications to the USVSST Fund: The Fairness Act reopened the application period for 1983 Beirut barracks bombing victims and 1996 Khobar Towers bombing victims to whom final judgments were awarded before December 29, 2022. These victims must have submitted applications by June 27, 2023 in order to be considered for lump sum catch-up payments and other future USVSST Fund distributions. As with all USVSST Fund claimants, these claimants should use the forms available on the USVSST Fund website. To be eligible for any USVSST Fund payments, these claimants must meet all USVSST Fund requirements. Please refer to these FAQs, generally, for additional information regarding eligibility and application requirements. Claimants do not need to file additional or separate applications for lump sum catch-up payments. Each claimant has one claim before the USVSST Fund for all compensation, including lump sum catch-up payments. The USVSST Fund cannot accept duplicative filings.

All claimants have a continuing obligation to update claim information, including informing the USVSST Fund of any compensation from any source other than this Fund. The Fairness Act provisions exempted certain 1983 Beirut barracks bombing victims and certain 1996 Khobar Towers bombing victims from certain statutory requirements regarding judgment creditors in Peterson and Settling Judgment Creditors in In Re 650 Fifth Avenue & Related Properties. Nevertheless, these victims must still provide the Special Master with information regarding sources other than the USVSST Fund, and update that information. See FAQ 4.10.

The Fairness Act established a “lump sum catch-up payment reserve fund” within the USVSST Fund to pay the lump sum catch-up payments to be calculated by GAO for 1983 Beirut barracks bombing victims and 1996 Khobar Towers bombing victims. The Fairness Act appropriated $3,000,000,000 to that reserve fund.

The lump sum catch-up payment reserve fund terminates within one year after the Special Master disburses all lump sum catch-up payments to the eligible claimants. After these lump sum catch-up payments are issued, all amounts remaining in the lump sum catch-up payment reserve fund shall be deposited into the USVSST Fund to be used in accordance with USVSST Fund authorities. At this time, it is not known whether any amounts will remain after lump sum catch-up payments are issued.

The lump sum catch-up payment reserve fund available for payments to be calculated by GAO for certain 1983 Beirut barracks bombing victims and certain 1996 Khobar Towers bombing victims is separate from the appropriation for lump sum catch-up payments to certain 9/11 victims, spouses, and dependents. The only funding the Fairness Act provided to the USVSST Fund was for the lump sum catch–up payments to certain 9/11 victims, spouses, and dependents, and for the lump sum catch–up payment reserve fund for payments to be calculated by GAO for 1983 Beirut barracks bombing victims and 1996 Khobar Towers bombing victims. The Fairness Act did not appropriate any additional funds to the USVSST Fund.

See FAQs 7.1 – 7.3 for additional information.