Proposed bill would rein in overpaying by FEMA during disasters (Florida)

[Judi Lynn]

Proposed bill would rein in overpaying by FEMA during disasters

By Sally Kestin and Megan O'Matz
Staff Writers
Posted February 22 2005

The federal government would no longer be allowed to contract with private firms to handle disaster assistance payments under a bill a South Florida member of Congress intends to introduce next week.

Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Miramar, said Monday the change would prevent fraud and overpayments in the program run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA is under fire for handing out more than $30.8 million to Miami-Dade residents who claimed damage from Hurricane Frances, the Labor Day storm that struck 100 miles north.

FEMA "abdicated its responsibility" by hiring private contractors to approve damage inspections and determine amounts applicants receive, Hastings said in a phone interview. Under his bill, payments would have to be handled entirely by federal employees.

"They have contracted out expertise and allowed people to disburse funds without any real meaningful accountability," he said.
(snip/...)

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-fema22feb22,0,7831324.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines

[whistle]

1. Over-pay, who did FEMA overpay, not victims who lost everything

...in the Florida hurricanes of last summer! FEMA has dragged their feet and deferred virtually all appeals for help to the SBA (Small Business Administration) which has rejected 80% of the emergency claims by individuals and awarded loans, not grants for damages. Those loans have gone to the most able financially to pay back not those who needed them the most. Many poor folks are still living in temporary housing and even tents in Florida, while wealthy coast line residents have their luxury homes and condos restored. The other thing was that the weeks leading up to the elections, BushCo directed FEMA to take cash into communities where they knew they could buy votes, knocked on doors and handed out hundreds of dollars telling residents that this was a gift from the president! This whole thing has been one huge boondoogle by the republicans to win over votes.

[whathappened]

2. what a bunch of b.s. thes people are

my daughter was hit by the winds and damage was done and just this week they got a check from the great insurance com. , fema was there but with open hands emty , there was no grant for them , it was all about loans that people could not begin to apy back from lost wages and low pay

[seafan]

3. Wow, do you have a link for this?

...the weeks leading up to the elections, BushCo directed FEMA to take cash into communities where they knew they could buy votes, knocked on doors and handed out hundreds of dollars telling residents that this was a gift from the president!

Thanks!

[whistle]

4. I have no links, just word of mouth. Winter Park, certain sections

...of Orlando, Orange County, Osceola County, literally knocked on doors and asked people if they had receipts for large ticket items like generators, building repair materials etc. If they did gave them cash right on the spot! Funny, nobody come into our community and knocked on my door.

[Baclava]

5. The number of blue roofs still in my neighborhood

...seem to contradict the premise that FEMA has payed ANYONE...

And now...my friend just called.... his insurance co. says they will no longer cover...and he never even filed a claim!