The widow of a NYPD first responder who died from a 9/11-related illness is spending the anniversary of the terror attacks this year fighting for her husband’s benefits – four years after his death. 

Cathy Hanson won a lawsuit against New York City last January after her husband, Mike Hanson, died from ALS in 2018 - caused by exposure to toxins at Ground Zero. 

Hanson says she and her husband were previously denied benefits ten times because his condition wasn’t listed as an approved 9/11 illness, despite tests that linked toxins in his body to ground zero.

The city filed an appeal earlier this year and had until late August to file paperwork, which News 12 reported in April. 

Hanson says the city has now filed for an extension giving them another 3 months to prolong the case.  

“I’m angry and appalled that this is how they treat people like Mike and all the other first responders that thought nothing of their own health and welfare to go in and spend nine months down there just looking for survivors or something to bring home to their families,” said Hanson. 

Dozens of state legislators wrote to Mayor Adams last Spring to reconsider the city’s position on Hanson’s 9/11 survivor benefits. 

News 12 reached out to the New York City Law Department for comment but hasn't heard back.