Governor George E. Pataki today announced that an additional $20 million will go to the families of those killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks during the third round of distributions from the New York State World Trade Center Relief Fund.

With the latest round of distributions, more than $56.4 million will have been distributed by the fund since its establishment by the Governor last September 11. The fund has received more than $68.4 million in donations. The balance of the fund will be held in reserve for the more than 500 eligible families who have yet to apply.

"The continued generosity of our fellow New Yorkers, as well as donors from across the country and around the world, has allowed us to make this additional distribution to the families and actually make more people eligible for fund awards," Governor Pataki said. "New Yorkers are united in our commitment to stand with the families of all the heros who died on Sept. 11, not just today but for years to come. We will never forget."

Because of the high level of donations to the fund, the third round of distributions will also make the fiancees of those killed eligible for awards. In addition, the one-year threshold for domestic partners will be lowered to six months.

The remaining money in the fund, roughly $12 million, is being held in reserve for the more than 500 eligible families that have not yet applied for awards. The reserve fund will be held until September 2003 for those families to apply, after which the money will be distributed to those who have already applied.

The State Department of Taxation and Finance, which is administering the fund, sent applications to every family and made hundreds of follow-up telephone calls to the families with application information. In addition, a new round of notifications will be made for the third round of distributions. Families that have already received awards will receive their new checks without the need to reapply.

"While I understand that some families may be reluctant to apply for a variety of reasons, I urge every eligible family to apply for their fund award," Governor Pataki said. "Ultimately, 100 percent of the money will be distributed to families."

In its first two rounds of distributions, the fund issued more than 8,200 checks to more than 2,400 families worth more than $36.4 million. In the third round of distributions:

• Spouses and domestic partners, who received a total of $10,000 from the first two rounds of distributions, will receive an additional $7,000, for a total of $17,000.
• Children, who received a total of $5,000 in the first two rounds of distributions, will receive an additional $2,500, for a total of $7,500.
• Fiancees and newly eligible domestic partners will each receive $17,000.