Lawmakers say Sandy survivors should not have to repay FEMA for its own mistakes
U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks went to Belle Harbor Manor in Rockaway to discuss legislation that would help Hurricane Sandy victims who have been asked to repay FEMA funds. “Some of these overpayments were for as little as $1,000 and went to retired seniors," he said. FEMA paid out more than $1.4 billion to 182,911 disaster survivors in Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island, officials said.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Monday, November 24, 2014, 7:51 PM
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DEBBIE EGAN-CHIN/NEW YORK DAILY NEWSHurricane Sandy victim Vincentia Becker, 94, of Rockaway shows her letter from FEMA demanding reimbursement of $5,800.dollars. U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks and Assemblyman Phillip Goldfeder announced new legislation that will help Hurricane Sandy victims who were asked to return FEMA aid money.
Lawmakers are proposing legislation that would allow the federal government to waive some repayments it is seeking from Hurricane Sandy victims.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has asked some victims to return thousands of dollars in storm relief money that was mistakenly paid out, either by fault of the government or the hurricane victims.
U. S. Rep. Gregory Meeks said he is working with Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey and U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm of Staten Island to help people who say they are being victimized by FEMA.
FEMA is trying to recoup $23 million it paid out for emergency housing and other needs.
“Some of these overpayments were for as little as $1,000 and went to retired seniors, like those living at the Belle Harbor Manor,” said Meeks, during a press conference at the Rockaway facility.
Many of those being asked to repay are seniors on fixed incomes, Meeks said. The money owed to FEMA could be taken from their Social Security benefits, he said.
Vincentia Becker, a 94-year-old Rockaway resident, has been asked to return $5,800.
Angelo Catanzaro, who has lived at Belle Harbor Manor for 10 years, is being asked to return almost $2,500.
“They should stop bothering poor people,” he said. “That’s a shame.”
DEBBIE EGAN-CHIN/NEW YORK DAILY NEWSCongressman Gregory Meeks(r.) and Assemblyman Phillip Goldfeder (l.) announce new legislation that will help Hurricane Sandy victims who were asked to return FEMA aid money outside Belle Harbor Manor in Rockaway on Monday.
In some cases, FEMA said victims received money and then were later reimbursed by insurance companies.
And some people impacted by the FEMA so-called “clawback” issue have sued the agency.
FEMA officials told The News they could not comment on litigation but noted that federal law requires federal agencies to recover improper payments.
Only about 2% of hurricane victims received letters asking for repayment, the agency said, adding people can appeal the decision or request a repayment plan.
FEMA paid out more than $1.4 billion to 182,911 disaster survivors in Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island, officials said.
Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder, whose Far Rockaway home was damaged during the 2012 storm, said the victims deserve a break.
“These people didn’t go on cruises,” said Goldfeder. “Every penny went toward Sandy recovery. Two years later, it’s insane FEMA is asking for money back.”
With Debbie Egan-Chin
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