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When money turns into dust
FEMA says it’s their legal obligation to recover funds
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has released over $20.5 million in individual assistance to date but at least some thousands of it may have to be returned.
FEMA has asked those who “incorrectly received FEMA funds” to return them.
“When mistakes happen, no matter whether they’re made by the applicant or by FEMA, the law requires that FEMA recover that money,” federal coordinating officer Stephen M. DeBlasio Sr. said in a statement.
Among those who may have to return the money are CNMI-only transitional workers who somehow got approved for assistance even though they’re not qualified or eligible for aid.
One of them is Lulu, a 65-year-old resident of San Antonio whose home suffered damage and became jobless after Typhoon Soudelor. She was approved for $2,000 in property and rental assistance and just recently received the check.
“If they told us before that we aren’t qualified for assistance, that would have been better. Now they approve us and gave us the money but ask us to return it? That’s very disheartening,” Lulu said.
Lulu lives alone in her apartment and now relies on her friends and acquaintances for help. Although she was able to receive assistance from the American Red Cross, Lulu says it’s just not enough.
“We are victims too. Soudelor didn’t come here and decide that it will only affect those who are U.S. citizens. We pay taxes, too. Have compassion for us CW workers,” Lulu added.
Despite her dismay, Lulu said she will return the money to FEMA.
Citing the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, FEMA earlier clarified that only those who are U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, and qualified aliens are eligible to receive individual federal assistance. Qualified aliens include those who have a child who is a U.S. citizen.
According to FEMA media relations manager Kurt Pickering, they will try and recover the money given to those who weren’t supposed to receive them.
“We do audits. We audit things to try to make sure that everything is done already,” Pickering said.
If the assistance money has already been spent, Pickering said that still needs to be repaid.
“That’s why we’re trying to get the word out to the people so that they won’t spend it,” he said.
Pickering said they could set up payment schedules with those who can’t return the money right away.
“It’s our legal obligation to recover it if it should not have been given to them in the first place,” Pickering said.
