For decades, countless New Jersey public employees who served at the World Trade Center site after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks have struggled to secure benefits due to strict filing deadlines for accidental disability retirement claims. Many developed serious health conditions that took years or even decades to emerge, long after their window to file had closed.
New legislation amending the Ricci Act has opened the door for those who were previously shut out. By removing the deadline to file, New Jersey has acknowledged both the delayed onset of many 9/11-related illnesses and the extraordinary sacrifices made by first responders.
At Zazzali, P.C., our lawyers have long represented public employees in pension and disability matters, and we understand how significant this change may be for individuals and families still coping with the aftermath of September 11.
Recent Changes to the Ricci Act: Expanded Benefits for First Responders
The 2025 amendments to the Ricci Act (P.L. 2019, c.157, as amended by P.L. 2025, c.117) remove the strict two-year deadline that once applied to the Eligibility Registration Form for accidental disability retirement. This means that members of the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS), Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS), and State Police Retirement System (SPRS) who participated in rescue, recovery, or cleanup work following the September 11, 2001 attacks can now submit a claim even if many years have passed since their Ground Zero service or the onset of related health problems.
Those whose applications were previously denied solely because of a late filing can now request reconsideration or resubmit their paperwork without facing a deadline. In addition, the time allowed to apply for amended benefits, including a recalculation of pension payments, has been extended from 30 days to 180 days after learning of a qualifying disability. This expanded window gives applicants more opportunity to gather the medical documentation and employment records needed to support their claims.
Eligibility: Who Can File a 9/11 Disability Retirement Claim Now?
The expanded filing opportunity applies to New Jersey public employees who are members or retirees of PERS, PFRS, or SPRS and who participated in rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations at or near the World Trade Center site, Fresh Kills Landfill, the morgues, or on the barges that transported debris. This includes those who served in the immediate aftermath of the September 11 attacks as well as individuals who worked in the weeks or months that followed.
Qualifying disabilities must be directly related to the events of 9/11. Many first responders and support personnel have developed chronic respiratory conditions, certain cancers, and other serious illnesses years after their service. Under the amended law, the time between the service and the diagnosis will no longer prevent a claim from moving forward.
What the Ricci Act Update Means for First Responders
For many first responders, the original two-year filing deadline under the Ricci Act was an insurmountable hurdle. Health conditions linked to toxic exposure at Ground Zero can take decades to appear, and by the time symptoms emerged, the window to file had often long since closed.
By removing the deadline entirely, New Jersey lawmakers have acknowledged both the unique nature of these service-related illnesses and the sacrifices made by those who answered the call in the days after 9/11. The amendment ensures that no eligible responder or retiree is denied accidental disability retirement benefits solely because too much time has passed.
Next Steps for Seeking Benefits Under the Ricci Act
Although the filing deadline has been removed, the burden of proof remains. To succeed with a claim, you must still demonstrate documented participation in September 11 rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations, present medical evidence linking your disability to that service, and meet other retirement system requirements.
Here’s what you should do now:
- Gather medical records: Collect documentation that supports the connection between your diagnosis and your work at or related to the 9/11 response operations.
- Locate employment records: Secure verification of your service dates and assignments during the WTC rescue, recovery, or cleanup period.
- Review prior decisions: If you were previously denied because of a missed deadline, keep that denial letter. It may help confirm your eligibility under the amended law.
- Act promptly: Even though the time limit is gone, filing sooner protects your claim. Records can be lost, and witnesses may become harder to reach over time.
- Consult legal counsel: Disability retirement cases require detailed medical and occupational evidence. An attorney familiar with New Jersey’s public retirement systems can help ensure your application is complete, well-supported, and positioned for a fair review.
Support for First Responders Seeking Disability Retirement Benefits
For decades, Zazzali, P.C. has advocated for New Jersey’s public employees, unions, and retirees. Many of our lawyers bring experience from PERC and other government agencies, giving us a unique understanding of how the State’s pension and benefits systems truly operate. We have represented police officers, corrections officers, firefighters, and other uniformed personnel in matters before PERC, the New Jersey Merit System Board, and the various retirement systems.
If you or a loved one participated in rescue, recovery, or cleanup efforts after 9/11 and are now experiencing health problems connected to that service, you may be eligible for accidental disability retirement benefits under the amended Ricci Act. The team at Zazzali, P.C. is prepared to guide you through every step of the process, from gathering records to filing your claim, to help ensure your application receives a full and fair review.
Zazzali, P.C. represents public employees and retirees in Newark, Trenton, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, and throughout New Jersey, as well as in the greater New York metropolitan area, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. Contact us today to arrange a confidential consultation with an attorney who will advocate for your rights and help you pursue the benefits connected to your service.
Disclaimer: This blog is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship with Zazzali, P.C. Each case depends on its own unique facts and circumstances, and you should consult with a qualified attorney about your specific situation.