Use Disaster Assistance Checks Wisely
Release Date: June 2, 2003
Release Number: 1464-46
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Nashville, TN -- With more than 6,000 checks distributed to disaster victims in Tennessee, state and federal emergency officials are urging recipients to handle the money with caution and confine spending to disaster-related losses.
Michael E. Bolch of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the official in charge of federal recovery operations, said experience has shown that in every disaster careless handling of assistance checks causes some people problems.
"This is a time when people are highly vulnerable and predators will take advantage," said Bolch, "caution is the operative word."
For safety, checks should be deposited in the applicant's bank account as soon as possible, Bolch said, adding that large sums of cash should not be carried and recipients should never deal with strangers offering check-cashing or deposit services.
"Financial assistance is intended to ease the pain of serious disaster losses and it is to be used for that purpose," said John D. White Jr., director of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.
Officials said recipients should avoid the temptation to pay household bills with the money or make purchases unrelated to needs created by the disaster. They should also keep a record of spending for tax purposes because assistance will likely not cover their entire loss.
Last Modified: Monday, 02-Jun-2003 16:00:51