FEMA trying to recover hurricane aid

[ProSense]

FEMA trying to recover hurricane aid

By FRANK BASS and EILEEN SULLIVAN, Associated Press Writers
1 hour, 23 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration now acknowledges it is trying to recover nearly $500 million from people who improperly received federal aid money intended to help victims of two deadly hurricanes, Katrina and Rita, along the Gulf Coast two years ago. It said the amount may increase further.

"This is a moving target and not finite," said James McIntyre, a spokesman for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The government's newest estimate of improper aid represents $494 million FEMA paid to 134,000 people who were ineligible for the aid they received. More than half the money went to people who couldn't prove residency, according to FEMA figures. Overpayments and duplicate payments account for most of the remainder.

The amount had exceeded $500 million, but the agency wrote off nearly $27 million because of appeals or hardship waivers. The $500 million figure would represent nearly $1 of every $10 in government aid intended to help storm victims.

Congressional investigators determined people provided false addresses, other people's social security numbers and Gulf Coast addresses that did not exist. Because of the chaotic situation and loose controls, nearly half the 11,000 people who received emergency debit cards also received FEMA checks, investigators said.

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Feeling safer yet?

[nightrider767]

1. Idiots

They'll spend an additional $500 million dollars to try and get the lost $500 million back and probably only end up recovering $1 million.

:banghead:

[ProSense]

2. Report: ‘massive failures’ at DHS.

Government watchdog CREW today released a , Homeland Security for Sale — DHS: Five Years of Mismanagement, “detailing massive failures and billions wasted at the Department of Homeland Security.” Some highlights:

– $24 billion has been spent, and at least $178 million wasted, on the failed Coast Guard Deepwater program;

– over $600 million has been allocated for unworkable radiation border scanners;

– $1.3 billion has been lost on the USVISIT program, which was never fully implemented; and

– projected $2 billion loss on the SBInet “virtual fence” border program.

A short film of the administration’s corporate cronyism is also available HERE.