WTC Records Folder 0129 Disaster Miscellaneous label, 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document 09/23/01 16:21 FAX 518 486 9693 GOVEILNOR'S COUNSEL OFF. fm 002

STATE OF NEW YORK J LL cam^ EXECUTIVE CHAMBER GEORGE E. PATAKI, GOVERNOR - -DRAFT Press Office DRAFT 518-474-8418 212-681-4640 No htLD://www state nv us FOR REF;EASE: IMMED1IATE, Friday September'21, 2001 WTC RESPONSE UPDATE: GOVERNOR ISSUES ORDER TO HELP FAMILIES MISSING, DECEASED COPE WITH ESTATE OF AND FINANCIAL MATTERS New York's Life Insurers to Accept Affidavits in Lieu of Death Certificates Workers' Comp Board Suspends Death Certificate Requirement to Obtain Benefits Governor George E. Pataki today issued an Executive Order streamlining court procedures to help the families of missing victims of the World Trade Center attack cope estate related matters. The Governor's with order will help families make insurance estates and gain access to bank accounts. claims, disburse

The Governor also announced that New York State's life insurance companies uniform affidavits in place of death will accept certificates from World Trade Center disaster kin, easing the burden on families of victims' next of victims and expediting payments. In addition, the announced that the New York State Workers' Governor Compensation Board will suspend its practice of requiring dependents to produce a death certificate in order to obtain workers' benefits. compensation

"This unspeakable tragedy has caused tremendous pain and suffering for thousands of families and we intend to do everything in our power to provide comfort, support and to them during this difficult time," assistance Governor Pataki said. "It is our hope that by crucial estate and fi nancial matters, we will helping with provide a measure of comfort to the many affected by this terrible tragedy." families

For World Trade Center victims, the Governor's Executive Order requirements for the payment of filing fees in removes all any matter relating to the estates or affairs of who are missing or deceased as a those result of the September 11 attack. In provides that families will not have addition, the order to comply with the requirement that proceedings must be provided through notice of the publication in a newspaper- Under the families may also file proceedings in Governor's order, any county they choose, rather than only in home county. the decedent's

Also, all insurers licensed to do business in New York State will accept next of kin of victims of the affidavits from World Trade Center, Pentagon and death certificate is not available. Pennsylvania disasters when a In addition, the Governor requested Compensation Board to adopt a plan that the Workers' would designate missing workers as purpose of workers' compensation, "deceased" for the regardless of whether a death certificate has This will relieve families from been issued. having to prove their missing loved one is will also enable the Board to actually deceased. It process claims and award benefits and will allow insurers to

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