FEMA to Halt Debit Cards, Use Bank Deposit

[Jahness]

FEMA to Halt Debit Cards, Use Bank Deposit

By HOPE YEN
Associated Press Writer
Sep 9, 8:05 PM EDT


WASHINGTON (AP) -- The federal government's relief agency said Friday it will discontinue its program to distribute debit cards worth up to $2,000 to hurricane victims, two days after hastily announcing the novel plan to provide quick relief.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency said it will scrap the program once officials finish distributing cards this weekend at shelters in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, where many of the evacuees were moved. No cards will be issued to victims in other states.

Hurricane victims at other locations will have to apply for expedited aid through the agency's traditional route - filling out information on FEMA's Web site to receive direct bank deposits, FEMA spokeswoman Natalie Rule said.

"We tried it as an innovative way to get aid to evacuee populations in Texas. We decided it would be more expeditious with direct deposits," she said, citing the large staffing operation that would be required to replicate the Texas operation in other states.

Under fire for its initial response to the hurricane, FEMA Director Michael Brown had announced the debit card program as a way to quickly get up to $2,000 to the neediest families and empower them "to make their own decisions about what do they need to have to start rebuilding their lives."

He did not describe the program as applying only to Texas, which has accepted the largest number of evacuees and is the home state of President Bush, though Rule said that always was the plan.

The program called for debit cards to be issued to one member of each household and was aimed at people who did not have bank accounts or addresses to receive checks. The cards could be used at any ATM within 24 hours of issuance, faster than traditional FEMA aid, which can take several days or longer to process.

But from the outset, there was confusion.

Word spread quickly among the thousands of refugees in the Houston Astrodome following announcement of the program Wednesday. FEMA workers, however, were unaware of the announcement and had no cards to offer.

On Thursday, the Red Cross began distributing its own debit cards at the Astrodome. The Red Cross assigned appointment times to the refugees, but many people started lining up anyway and waited for hours. Many fainted in the heat, and police had to be brought in for crowd control.

Around Houston, poor people who heard that the government was giving out money tried to get into the Astrodome complex for cards, prompting officials to lock the gates. By Thursday evening, electronic freeway signs in Houston were flashing, "There are no debit cards at the Astrodome."

On Friday, distribution of the FEMA cards began at the Astrodome and proceeded in orderly fashion. Ed Conley, a FEMA spokesman in Houston, said evacuees were receiving the cards at a rate of about 500 an hour.

A FEMA spokeswoman had said Friday there were enough cards to cover the families of the estimated 7,000 people registered at three shelters in the Astrodome complex.

Hurricane victims can still receive expedited aid by applying through FEMA's Web site or calling 1-800-621-FEMA. Checks will be mailed to an address or deposited directly in a bank account, a means that may not be readily available for uprooted and less affluent survivors without bank accounts.

---Associated Press writer Pam Easton in Houston contributed to this report.

---On the Net:

For information on applying for hurricane cash aid:

http://www.fema.gov/

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories...MPLATE=DEFAULT

© 2005 The Associated Press.

[IfasehunReincarnated]

Read: debit cards require more work on their part. No tragedy is big enough to require more work on the part of federal workers. tsk tsk tsk.

By the way, if you just lost your home, and possibly a family member and all your belongings and you have been transferred to a new city....you would get access to a computer how? just going to the bus stop telling the driver you're a Katrina victim and you need a free ride to the library? hmm, that oughta work.

So they issues cards at a rate of 500 an hour, so the average library with 10 machines out to churn what_ 30 families a day?? And instead of using your card in a hour, you would wait for the online form to be filled out and you would be mailed your bank info to a shelter or better yet, the Astrodome and the Astrodome staff and volunteers would develop a mail system for making sure you get your paperwork in on what_ 5 or 7 days?

This is complete and utter B.S. I am allergic to B.S. (sneezing as we speak)

Here is a prayer that every important federal administrator lose his or her home to a hurricane, tornado, forest fire, nuclear distaster, torrential rainstorm, locust plague this exact time next year. (and that they run into D-Bo at the Astrodome when they get there.)

[Jahness]

Originally Posted by IfasehunReincarnated

Read: debit cards require more work on their part. No tragedy is big enough to require more work on the part of federal workers. tsk tsk tsk.

By the way, if you just lost your home, and possibly a family member and all your belongings and you have been transferred to a new city....you would get access to a computer how? just going to the bus stop telling the driver you're a Katrina victim and you need a free ride to the library? hmm, that oughta work.

So they issues cards at a rate of 500 an hour, so the average library with 10 machines out to churn what_ 30 families a day?? And instead of using your card in a hour, you would wait for the online form to be filled out and you would be mailed your bank info to a shelter or better yet, the Astrodome and the Astrodome staff and volunteers would develop a mail system for making sure you get your paperwork in on what_ 5 or 7 days?

This is complete and utter B.S. I am allergic to B.S. (sneezing as we speak)

Here is a prayer that every important federal administrator lose his or her home to a hurricane, tornado, forest fire, nuclear distaster, torrential rainstorm, locust plague this exact time next year. (and that they run into D-Bo at the Astrodome when they get there.)

Greetings Ifasehun!

Any attempt to do the right thing for the people affected by the hurricane is too much work for the government.

I cannot imagine when they will decide to actually do any type of recovery effort that will save the victims more heartache or aggravation.

It seems as if these so called helpers are only willing to help themselves to an easy time as they do nothing.

I mean how much more of this BS do they think those poor people can put up with. Some of the stuff they are doing just doesn't make sense. Plus sooner or later we will hear the inevitable favorite words "we cannot give you service because the computer is down".

I continue to pray for all our people, that their pain and suffering will come to an end. This nonsense has to stop. They cannot continue to make these people go in complete circles with no resort of getting real and efficient help. There has to be a way they can expedite this matter, the problem is will they ever be willing to do it.

Peace & Blessings!

[IfasehunReincarnated]

and my intuition tells me that they will use the dispersal of people throughout the country to skew the number of dead. i have already started to see the "not as many are dead as you think" and "there are lots of rumors of destruction that arent true" reporting.

that is, a lot of people wont come back home for a long time and by the time they come back they wont be going to the same neighborhoods. those hoods will be gone. so they can say you havent seen your neighbor because he/she was relocated. and that peoples' idea of mass deaths are not correct.

[Jahness]

Originally Posted by IfasehunReincarnated

and my intuition tells me that they will use the dispersal of people throughout the country to skew the number of dead. i have already started to see the "not as many are dead as you think" and "there are lots of rumors of destruction that arent true" reporting.

that is, a lot of people wont come back home for a long time and by the time they come back they wont be going to the same neighborhoods. those hoods will be gone. so they can say you havent seen your neighbor because he/she was relocated. and that peoples' idea of mass deaths are not correct.

Greetings Ifasehun!

And you better believe that is exactly the way it is going to go down. As a matter of fact sending the survivors all over the country is all part of the plan.

When they are finished sending our people in all those circles, they will probably be so confused, with their already traumatized self, that they will not know what is really happening to them. Then the paper trail of records and important documents that they need will be not exist.

I hate to agree in this instance, but you are right on point. And folks are not really reading behind the lines, between the lines, and are not paying attention to the lines that are truly missing. Yt is creating the confusion with a purpose of intent, and to eliminate our people without acknowledging that their lives were taken from them innocently.

The madness and ploys have only begun. The writing is on the wall. This is another reason that all activists and revolutionaries has to step up to the plate and advocate for our people who cannot do it for themselves. The creator knows the next couple months and the next few years is is going to be some serious trials and tribulations for Afrikan people.

We must stand strong, and not give up the fght!

Much appreciation for the dialogue.

Peace & Blessings!

[Elisa Keisha]

As to the credit cards and online petitions: yeah..2.000$ and what else? 40 acres and a mule?

As to the people sent to different areas in the country: "Divide and conquer"

(<--whao Im lovin this new one)

[Jahness]

Originally Posted by Elisa_Keisha

As to the credit cards and online petitions: yeah..2.000$ and what else? 40 acres and a mule?

As to the people sent to different areas in the country: "Divide and conquer"

(<--whao Im lovin this new one)

Greetings Elisa_Keisha! You said it right. What else? Divide and conquer is definitely the foundation of all the schemes that they plan to use against our people.

We must be on the alert at all times. Even while this tradgedy unfolds they are continuously plotting. They know everyones attention is on this issue of the hurricane and the survivors. While we are still here worrying about what else, they are on the next oppressive agenda.

Thanks sister for sharing!

Peace!

[OneSelf]

That article is incorrect, the traditional way to apply for expedited federal assistance is not applying on FEMA's website but by calling FEMA's 1 800 number, Its done over the phone. Paper applications are also taken at disaster recovery centers set up in the affected areas. I'm embarrassed to admit it but I used to work for FEMA at one of its benefits processing centers in Maryland. By the way I'm not defending FEMA, its the most mismanaged and fucked up place i've ever had the displeasure of working in.

[Learn06]

Will this cause inflation in the region? Does anyone know how regional or national economics will be changed by this?

[Jahness]

Originally Posted by oneself

That article is incorrect, the traditional way to apply for expedited federal assistance is not applying on FEMA's website but by calling FEMA's 1 800 number, Its done over the phone. Paper applications are also taken at disaster recovery centers set up in the affected areas. I'm embarrassed to admit it but I used to work for FEMA at one of its benefits processing centers in Maryland. By the way I'm not defending FEMA, its the most mismanaged and fucked up place i've ever had the displeasure of working in.

Greetings oneself!

Welcome to the discussion. Maybe due to technology the traditional way has changed to make the process a little easier.

I don't doubt what you are saying, since you worked for them. It's just that I think the possibility may exist that even for this current disaster they may have adjusted the traditional way of doing things.

If I may ask can you tell us a little bit more of what it is FEMA actually does to help the average victim of a disaster. I know we all know that they help with relief, but in what sense, is it just food, clothes and possibily shelter and is the process long term, or is it a one time effort on the part of FEMA?

Thank you so much for checking the post out, and for taking the time out to share your views with us all here at the forum.

Peace & Blessings!

[Jahness]

Originally Posted by Learn06

Will this cause inflation in the region? Does anyone know how regional or national economics will be changed by this?

Greetings Learn06!


Welcome to the discussion. Great seeing you again!

I am not sure if this will cause inflation in the region per se. But I am pretty sure overall it will have a serious economic affect in the state itself.

Now with unemployment, loss of property, and a great increase in social services for all the victims, the state will suffer economically.

Now with recovery and new money being poured in the area with new housing being built, businesses restarting, if they decide to, and all the slum lords from all over the United Snakkkes rushing to these areas to set the stage for overpricing in real estate the average person may not be able to afford anything name housing in the area.

This is why the so called boom in the economics in the area might come, because nothing makes yt feel they are exclusive as when they can get everyday items to be overpriced to keep the average person out, thereby creating these exclusive communities, that are only affordable to the rich and famous.

Time will tell we have only to wait and see. Thank you for your continue effort in helping us all to keep the dialogue going on issues affecting our community.

Peace & Blessings!

[OneSelf]

Originally Posted by Jahness

Greetings oneself!

Welcome to the discussion. Maybe due to technology the traditional way has changed to make the process a little easier.

I don't doubt what you are saying, since you worked for them. It's just that I think the possibility may exist that even for this current disaster they may have adjusted the traditional way of doing things.

If I may ask can you tell us a little bit more of what it is FEMA actually does to help the average victim of a disaster. I know we all know that they help with relief, but in what sense, is it just food, clothes and possibily shelter and is the process long term, or is it a one time effort on the part of FEMA?

Thank you so much for checking the post out, and for taking the time out to share your views with us all here at the forum.

Peace & Blessings!

Peace,

FEMA has programs set up to help Individuals and Households who were directly affected by a disaster. This assistance comes in the form of grants for Home Repairs for home owners and Temporary Rental Assistance for both owners and renters who were displaced by the disaster. They also offer grants for losses of personal property like furniture and clothing. This process of applying and getting your application processed is a long one because FEMA sends inspectors to verify the damages. After the damages are assessed the inpector sends back the information to the processing centers where the FEMA reps determine how much money you will received based on the damages that were veryfied. This can take like 2 weeks.

The Aid is a long term effort, an applicant who is displaced may receive up to 18 months of rental assistance if they have not found a permanent place to live.

In this particular case because of the flood waters, the FEMA inspectors dont have access to the damaged properties. So FEMA send out $2000 of expedited assistance to everyone that applied without verifying the damages.

[BabaYaw]

good points sister Elisha and brother Ifasehunincarnated

a brother came on WOL radio (XM satelite) telling how FEMA has powers
to suspend the constitution bear arms move people around basically a secret govt
in this case they intentionally fumbled getting relief to our people
as the host said relief to thailand's tsunami took less than two days yet it took 5 in LA
now what can we do beyond some donations?
hotep
babayaw

[Jahness]

Originally Posted by oneself

Peace,

FEMA has programs set up to help Individuals and Households who were directly affected by a disaster. This assistance comes in the form of grants for Home Repairs for home owners and Temporary Rental Assistance for both owners and renters who were displaced by the disaster. They also offer grants for losses of personal property like furniture and clothing. This process of applying and getting your application processed is a long one because FEMA sends inspectors to verify the damages. After the damages are assessed the inpector sends back the information to the processing centers where the FEMA reps determine how much money you will received based on the damages that were veryfied. This can take like 2 weeks.

The Aid is a long term effort, an applicant who is displaced may receive up to 18 months of rental assistance if they have not found a permanent place to live.

In this particular case because of the flood waters, the FEMA inspectors dont have access to the damaged properties. So FEMA send out $2000 of expedited assistance to everyone that applied without verifying the damages.

Greetings oneself! :cheers:

Thank you so much for providing the additional information on
FEMA. It definitely gives me a better understanding of the
process.

I only hope the people who were affected by this disaster
gets the help they so rightly deserve.

It is a long road of uncertainty ahead for a lot of the victims.
We must all continue to send our prayers and love to all of
them, so that they may have the strength to hold them up
in there time of troubles.

Your input is truly valued.

Peace & Blessings!

[Jahness]

Originally Posted by babayaw

good points sister Elisha and brother Ifasehunincarnated

a brother came on WOL radio (XM satelite) telling how FEMA has powers
to suspend the constitution bear arms move people around basically a secret govt
in this case they intentionally fumbled getting relief to our people
as the host said relief to thailand's tsunami took less than two days yet it took 5 in LA
now what can we do beyond some donations?
hotep
babayaw

Greetings babayaw!

Welcome to the discussion. I also have heard in the past of the powers that FEMA has. One of the things that makes me wonder though is the sometimes so called unlimited amount of money they are given based on someone assessment of a disaster true or not.

Not to say that in disasters the need is not great, but it seems that FEMA has an open end source of funds to do as they want. Now with that said
possibility of FEMA being some sort of secret government is not far fetched.

Thank you for sharing with us all.

Peace & Blessings!