Wow..

[Aquawind]

JACKSON, Mississippi (AP) -- More than 2,000 Mississippi residents were notified that they must repay millions of dollars in federal Hurricane Katrina benefits that were excessive or, in some cases, fraudulent.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is seeking a total of $4.7 million from 2,044 people, giving them 30 days to repay or set up a payment plan.

Some storm victims got duplicate or extra benefits because of FEMA errors, agency spokesman Eugene Brezany said, and others might have received benefits for expenses that later were reimbursed by insurance settlements.

Some others benefited "by intentional misrepresentation" or the mistaken belief that secondary residences qualified for payments, he said.

More people could get repayment notices as more applications are reviewed. Recipients could have received from $2,000 to $26,200

Federal auditors have blamed FEMA for much of the benefit abuse after hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, citing what they called an inadequate accounting system.

The Government Accountability Office in Washington has said thousands of inappropriate payments were made because people were able to repeatedly apply for and collect benefits.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/04/21/katrin ... index.html



They did this in florida as well. That is alot of money. They need to get a better system with so many that probably did deserve are still waiting. I think they should push for criminal charges to the fullest. We can't have this happening everytime AID is available..

[CentralFlGal]

[ROCK]

I agree. People see that they get more money than they deserve and think its free. I hope they can recoup some of it.

[Pearl River]

I know several people who reeived the money and have called FEMA to take it back because they didn't need it. FEMA wouldn't take it back, so they have it sitting in a savings account until they are told to return it.

[Aquawind]

I know several people who reeived the money and have called FEMA to take it back because they didn't need it. FEMA wouldn't take it back, so they have it sitting in a savings account until they are told to return it.

You know some Good and Smart people! Give them a pat on the back! This same thing happened in 2004 in Florida but I didn't hear of people putting it in the bank..that's a good idea. As much as the cheaters should be in jail they should be given awards as good citizens!

[Lindaloo]

Makes you wonder about people. Just think, some people did not get benefits that really needed it. This just angers me to no end!

[Dionne]

Some of the FEMA monetary distributions have been ridiculous. I know a lady that was given a FEMA trailer for her property in Pass Christian.......she's going to use it as her weekend summer home. She had enough assets to buy and renovate a home inland without any outside assistance. I have heard several workers bragging about receiving money for freezer food lost......and they have never owned a freezer. I think we're in for a reality check.

[CajunMama]

Dionne, couldn't you anonymously turn them in? I don't see how they can sleep at night knowing they committed fraud like that.

[Lindaloo]

Dionne, couldn't you anonymously turn them in? I don't see how they can sleep at night knowing they committed fraud like that.

This is what you call "the people who think they are entitled to free money because they went through Katrina" I would turn them in without batting an eye.

[sunny]

Dionne, couldn't you anonymously turn them in? I don't see how they can sleep at night knowing they committed fraud like that.

This is what you call "the people who think they are entitled to free money because they went through Katrina" I would turn them in without batting an eye.

The people I saw work the system made me sick. Just because you were in "the affected area" does not mean you should get a free ride for the rest of your life. I tell you, this whole thing has changed me. I don't feel so "sunny" these days

[Recurve]

I know several people who reeived the money and have called FEMA to take it back because they didn't need it. FEMA wouldn't take it back, so they have it sitting in a savings account until they are told to return it.

You would think they could "return" it by not cashing the check in the first place.

[DanKellFla]

After Frances and Jean, I know a lot of people who were getting money from FEMA for generators even if they could afford them on there own. I was without power for 5 days, so I was "entitled" to additional money. For a long time, I didn't bother calling. I thought my insurance would cover a lot of costs. But I kept on seeing people get money. And then, my company decided that they wouldn't pay for the forced days off when they didn't plan for a generator. (Or, when the boss forgot to change the phone message that told us to stay home to tell us to come to work.) Finally, I called FEMA. No BS or fraud. They came and gave me money. It isn't like I made money off the government, but I could have survived without it. On the otherhand, the government was litterally giving away money. All I needed to do was wait for them to come to the door. It was about $1,000. Just before this, the newspapers were writing about Dade county was getting millions for experiencing a thunderstorm. This was also just before an election. Is there a connection? Maybe? But after Wilma, a much worse storm, FEMA wouldn't even come out. Which was fine by me. I'll figure out a way, I always do.

[Dionne]

Dionne, couldn't you anonymously turn them in? I don't see how they can sleep at night knowing they committed fraud like that.

CajunMama......how did you know I was having trouble sleeping?

I live in a glass house....I cannot throw stones. You cannot possibly imagine all the "legally marginal" crap going on in the trades.

Personally, I have had to seperate people into two catagories; Those that stand in line for freebies versus those that get out and work.

If a man comes to me and he is skilled and wants to work and in confidence tells me he cannot pass certain "required" tests......I hire him.

If a man comes to me and wants work done so he can move his family back home.....and he cannot secure a building permit for various reasons......I do the work.

None of us are getting rich. My small company is struggling. There are weeks that there isn't enough cash left for me to take a draw.

We do the best we can with what we've got.

[HoumaLa]

thats good of you Dionne to help them. The only thing that I did take for Katrina from the gov. was food stamps we lost all the food in my freezers. Mr houma was off of work for 2 weeks. It helped out alot. I don't feel guilty about it. I know alot of people that got money they didn't need.

[CajunMama]

Dionne, I didn't mean for you to take my reply like that at all. I apolgize for doing that. I meant for those who absolutely did not need aid (like the fema vacation trailer). Like the little old lady who was in my shop getting her fema stuff straight after 6 months of not hearing from them who told me about some families she knows that did not recieve any type of damage or loss and are living it up at fema's expense....she was thinking about turning them in because there are those who truly and desperately need the fema help.

[george_r_1961]

thats good of you Dionne to help them. The only thing that I did take for Katrina from the gov. was food stamps we lost all the food in my freezers. Mr houma was off of work for 2 weeks. It helped out alot. I don't feel guilty about it. I know alot of people that got money they didn't need.

After Isabel I missed 2 weeks of work and reluctantly applied for..and got.unemployment. It was enough to tide me over till my paychecks starting coming in again.

[MGC]

FEMA can't get nothing back from me, they declined me in the first place. After all of this is over I'd expect a good many fraud convictions.....MGC

[T'Bonz]

They really need to revamp FEMA. Time and time again, they keep screwing up. When I saw them around here after Wilma, it was all I could do not to open my mouth. Just seeing "FEMA" on the jacket made me grit my teeth.

I hate having my taxpayer dollars wasted on incompetence.

[HurryKane]

A couple of months after Katrina I saw a guy in FEMA jacket shopping in Gulfport's Bed, Bath, & Beyond.

And I thought to myself, now there's somebody lookin' for a buttwhoopin'. Shop all you want, but maybe leave that FEMA jacket in the car.

[rtd2]

I know several people who reeived the money and have called FEMA to take it back because they didn't need it. FEMA wouldn't take it back, so they have it sitting in a savings account until they are told to return it.

Raising my hand! I got 2300+ dollars from fema back in october from fema for RENTAL assistance... Uh I was NEVER displaced...In fact my parents lived with me till nov. when I finished rebuilding there home. so I call fema and they said I met the guidelines and if I need more to call and they would consider it. I said I dont need any of it she said "we cant take it back" so I put it in the credit union savins and its been drawing intrest (Samll amount but hey!) waiting for this type stunt to happen I even wrote them a letter explaining my circumstances and the initial 2000 from fema and insurance settlement has taken care of me. fema wrote me back and said thEY would not ACCEPT THE MONEY BACK AND TO USE IT FOR TEPMORARY housing assistance...I'm going to keep that letter safe and when they DO ask for it back I maight just decline to pay and show'em my letter that now is legally worth 2300+ dollars!