Sandy Victims Forced To Pay Back Recovery Funds

[Suicidal Fish]

America's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is pursuing thousands of homeowners for millions of dollars in disaster recovery funds that were issued in error after Superstorm Sandy.

FEMA gave out $1.4bn (£875m) in individual grants after the devastating weather system hit America's east coast two years ago.

The New York Legal Assistance Group now estimates that at least 10,000 people are being asked to pay back more than $5m.

Individuals can be asked for anything up to $30,000, repayable within a few months.

Often the first time they realise their case is being reassessed is when a letter demanding money drops on to their doormat.

The letter can't be ignored. Those who do not pay FEMA back find themselves in debt to the federal government, which can take money from pay and from tax rebates to claw its money back.

Many of those receiving the demands are on middle-to-low incomes, and many are still living in communities not fully recovered from the devastation wreaked by the storm.

The process is called a "recoupment", which is the term used by FEMA when it tries to recover funds issued to a household that may have received more than it was allowed under programme rules.

By law, FEMA does not have to specify whether it was at fault for granting the money or whether it believes the individuals claimed in error.

The New York Legal Assistance Group is using its storm response group to appeal directly to FEMA on behalf of those affected, and has had a high success rate.

However, FEMA will not disclose why it changes its mind on a case-by-case basis, making it almost impossible to understand the exact reasons it asked for the money in the first place.



http://news.sky.com/story/1365077/sandy-victims-forced-to-pay-back-recovery-funds

[-SpectraL]

They're just despicable beyond description.

[Infinityshock]

Class action lawsuit with some high profile attorney's along with sufficient news media attention and this will go away

Unless fraud was involved,  in which case they should have to pay the money back along with interest

[-SpectraL]

The feds probably went through their receipts to see what they bought for repairs, and when they didn't find enough, they flagged their claim payments.

[SlayerJ27]

This is a good thing, the filthy niggers never deserved a single red cent in the first place.

[Infinityshock]

This is a good thing, the filthy niggers never deserved a single red cent in the first place.

^that

[mashleshmash]

This is pretty fucked up, lawyers should take care of it.

[GothicSeraph]

Class action lawsuit with some high profile attorney's along with sufficient news media attention and this will go away

Unless fraud was involved,  in which case they should have to pay the money back along with interest

There were a lot of people who put in double and triple claims between FEMA and private insurance AND multiple people on the title put in claims. Id venture to say this has something to do with that.

[-SpectraL]

But don't these useless, senseless fucks have anything better to do than harassing a community which just suffered a catastrophic event? Entire states declaring bankruptcy, gorged corporations stockpiling trillions in tax-free offshore accounts, corruption rife throughout the entire government, and here we have these pathetic clowns gleaning through the documents of disaster victims looking for easy pickin's. If it weren't so sad it would be hilarious. Like something right out of a comedy skit.

[MoaningLisa]

this sounds pretty fucked up, especially because they aren't telling why those cases are being reviewed.

like spectraL said, if they reviewed the receipts and people were buying sound systems and shit, fine, take the money back.

I also find it very likely fraud was involved. if only FEMA wasn't being so cryptic.

[Arnox]

There were a lot of people who put in double and triple claims between FEMA and private insurance AND multiple people on the title put in claims. Id venture to say this has something to do with that.

Yep. I knew there was two sides to this.

It's so easy to demonize the government and sometimes they do deserve it but one really needs to look at both points of view first.

[kolokol-1]

this sounds pretty fucked up, especially because they aren't telling why those cases are being reviewed.

like spectraL said, if they reviewed the receipts and people were buying sound systems and shit, fine, take the money back.

I also find it very likely fraud was involved. if only FEMA wasn't being so cryptic.

This

There were a lot of people who put in double and triple claims between FEMA and private insurance AND multiple people on the title put in claims. Id venture to say this has something to do with that.

Yep. I knew there was two sides to this.

It's so easy to demonize the government and sometimes they do deserve it but one really needs to look at both points of view first.

And this. (Thank you for adding multi quote, you guys have been telling us to use it forever but I've never seen it until now)

Conspiracy theories wouldn't be a thing if the government was more transparent and admitted their mistakes.

The sentence above is common sense, which is why I believe so many conspiracy theories.

Anyway, I too get the feeling that fraud was involved

[SlayerJ27]

But don't these useless, senseless fucks have anything better to do than harassing a community which just suffered a catastrophic event?

What "catastrophic event" you dolt?  The fact that some niggers took the first shower of their entire lives?  BOO FUCKING HOO.

[GothicSeraph]

In NJ I know someone who put in a claim that Sandy caused foundation problems & mold in the basement, etc. The house was cited with foundation issues by their town in 2005 as a code violation when they put in a permit for an addition on the house. They got like 25k for the foundation from FEMA, but then got greedy and put in a 2nd claim with their private insurance for Foundation & more repairs, got an added 30k upfront would've got another 30k when they showed receipts that work was being done... But no work was done.

I have a condo in complex up there and the association's insurance took care of all foundation and insurance issues.

[-SpectraL]

Why didn't the government check and verify to see if there was insurance eligibility first? Because they're incredibly stupid and cause a lot of problems because of that stupidity, that's why.