Deadline Extended for Outbreak Victim Grants

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

The deadline for victims of the fungal meningitis outbreak to apply for grants of up to $25,000 has been extended to March and officials say there is no longer any fear that any grants may have to be paid back.
The changes were disclosed by U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop who led efforts to get $40 million allocated to outbreak victims.
The new filing deadline is March 1, 2018. Originally there was a Dec. 15, 2017 cutoff.
Bishop also said that he has received assurances that victims will not be required to pay back any grants if they eventually collect under insurance policies.
According to Bishop, the Massachusetts Attorney sought and obtained a waiver from a state law that would have automatically triggered a pay back requirement.
"By doing so, they removed the distribution of funds from their state law and thus have removed any concerns about potentially needing to pay these funds back at a later date," Bishop's office said in a statement.
"This will give victims and families, many of whom still struggle with day-to-day finances much needed peace of mind ... that the money they are receiving is actually theirs," the statement continued.
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Information about applying for compensation

·         The Massachusetts Attorney General’s office is currently establishing a process through which claims will be disbursed. To be eligible for these funds, victims must apply by March 1, 2018 (please note, that date has changed from the previous deadline of December 15, 2017). After the applicant’s case is verified, they will be eligible to receive a direct payment of $25,000, with the option to submit additional documentation to receive compensation beyond that amount.

Eligible victims have received a Victim Identification Number from the FBI. If you believe you or a loved one was harmed by a contaminated injection from the New England Compounding Center (NECC) in the fall of 2012, please contact Congressman Bishop’s D.C. office at 202-225-4872 for more information.