Debit card distribution

[poohandwendy]

Honestly, I've never seen a disaster where people were so critical of the victims. Nearly every offer that has been discussed, the subject comes up as to why the victims should receive the "benefit" and in what ways they might abuse it. Why is that?

Actually, I am critical of the amount and the means (cash). Because it is not enough for the stated things (food, clothing and housing) and on the other hand...it is a waste of resources if abused.

 

[HayGan]

The only thing that disturbs me about the wholesale distribution of these cards with no limits to how the money can be spent. In many cases, the recipients are poor and have no money management skills, and could easily blow through $2000 with nothing to show in a week's time, so it's just going to pepetuate the cycle of poverty.

And this is whose fault? The poor do need to do what they can to help themselves as well. I agree that there are many recipients that will waste the money and will once again hold their hands out for more. Common sense needs to kick in at some point and make people realize that this could be a way for them to turn their lives around. I think that the argument that this is an insufficient amount is ridiculous (especially since I'm sure it won't be the last aid received.) I could easily find an apartment ($1,200 for first months rent and deposit), get clothes from a thrift store ($250), buy enough groceries for a month ($300) and still have some money left over for transportation to find a job with $2,000 (and that would be for a family of 4.) Many people (including myself) have lived or are living on much less.

 

[peachgirl]

Actually, I am critical of the amount and the means (cash). Because it is not enough for the stated things (food, clothing and housing) and on the other hand...it is a waste of resources if abused.

I agree that it isn't a sufficient amount to accomplish what FEMA says it is supposed to accomplish.


I just find it odd that there are so many questions about the ability of these victims to use the money wisely. Sure there will be abuses, but many of the victims of 9/11 received tens of thousands of dollars in government compensation and I don't recall anyone demanding that they account for how they chose to spend the money. You can bet that there were poor choices made by those people too.

 

[poohandwendy]

I could easily find an apartment ($1,200 for first months rent and deposit),

without a job or ID...who is going to rent an apartment to someone with only the first months rent and a small deposit? Even with a credit check, most places around here expect first and last month PLUS a security deposit. And I don't know of any apartments that would be less than like $6-700 per month. Not sure of the cost of living in all of the cities they have been taken to.

People are going to be leery of the evacuees because of the news reports of looting, murder and criminals being released. I think that will be a real problem. It's not right, but it will be an issue, I'll bet.

 

[ducklite]

And this is whose fault? The poor do need to do what they can to help themselves as well.

I agree, and if you hadn't taken my comments out of text you would have seen that is exactly what I said. I do feel that a voucher program would have been more prudent. IMHO we're going to see these cards showing up on the black market or used for everything but what they should be.

Anne

 

[WDWBetsy]

I just find it odd that there are so many questions about the ability of these victims to use the money wisely. Sure there will be abuses, but many of the victims of 9/11 received tens of thousands of dollars in government compensation and I don't recall anyone demanding that they account for how they chose to spend the money. You can bet that there were poor choices made by those people too.

I have to wonder the same thing. I never questioned the money being given to 9/11 survivors, although the thought did cross my mind that we didn't do the same for survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing.

EDITED TO ADD: Sorry, wasn't thinking clearly when I posted this. Those are entirely different situations from the current disaster.

 

[ducklite]

I agree that it isn't a sufficient amount to accomplish what FEMA says it is supposed to accomplish.


I just find it odd that there are so many questions about the ability of these victims to use the money wisely. Sure there will be abuses, but many of the victims of 9/11 received tens of thousands of dollars in government compensation and I don't recall anyone demanding that they account for how they chose to spend the money. You can bet that there were poor choices made by those people too.

Those people weren't living in shelters, most weren't homeless. That was compensation for lost income paid to victims estates so they wouldn't sue the airlines. TOTALLY different situation.

Anne

 

[HayGan]

I agree, and if you hadn't taken my comments out of text you would have seen that is exactly what I said. I do feel that a voucher program would have been more prudent. IMHO we're going to see these cards showing up on the black market or used for everything but what they should be.

Anne

Sorry, my comments weren't a criticism of you! I agree that abuse of these cards is going to be widespread (just as vouchers would be!) Just look at the rampant abuse of food stamps!

 

[ducklite]

I have to wonder the same thing. I never questioned the money being given to 9/11 survivors, although the thought did cross my mind that we didn't do the same for survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing.

The money paid out after September 11 didn't go to survivors. It went to the estates of those who died. If they took the payoff, they had to agree to not sure the airlines. It was truly a "payoff".

In the case of OK City, who were they going to sue? Timothy McVeigh?

Anne

 

[peachgirl]

I could easily find an apartment ($1,200 for first months rent and deposit), get clothes from a thrift store ($250), buy enough groceries for a month ($300) and still have some money left over for transportation to find a job with $2,000 (and that would be for a family of 4.)

In this area, apartments for a family of 4 require first and last month's rent, plus deposit which is usually 1 months rent. Then you have to pay deposits for all utilities. For electric, that's 2 months average bill...guessing it would be around $200 to $400. Around here you can find a "decent" (and I by no means mean anything close to luxurious, simply clean and in a good part of town) for $600 a month. That's $2000 and we haven't even gotten to clothes, food or transportation.

Nevermind that any reputable apartment complex requires a credit check and verifiable employment. No one is going to rent to someone who has $2000 in their pocket with no way to pay the next months bill.

 

[Charade]

I just find it odd that there are so many questions about the ability of these victims to use the money wisely. Sure there will be abuses, but many of the victims of 9/11 received tens of thousands of dollars in government compensation and I don't recall anyone demanding that they account for how they chose to spend the money. You can bet that there were poor choices made by those people too.

But there probably were people wondering why they got any compensation at all. The difference is for many of the 9-11 victims families the payout from the government was compensation. The money handed out by FEMA now is assistance. If I give you a check for a million dollars as compenstation, it comes with no strings attached. If I hand you a debit card with $2000 on it as assistence to help you in hard times, I think there should be strings attached.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

The insurance company my husband works for has already handed out checks for living expenses to any of it's insured's that have walked through the door of any branch or called who lived in the affected areas. The branch's have been authorized to cut check's on the spot as needed to help insureds.

Anne

Wow, what insurance company does he work for? I want to buy insurance through them!

 

[BuckNaked]

Those people weren't living in shelters, most weren't homeless. That was compensation for lost income paid to victims estates so they wouldn't sue the airlines. TOTALLY different situation.

Anne

ITA - totally different situation.

 

[HayGan]

without a job or ID...who is going to rent an apartment to someone with only the first months rent and a small deposit? Even with a credit check, most places around here expect first and last month PLUS a security deposit. And I don't know of any apartments that would be less than like $6-700 per month. Not sure of the cost of living in all of the cities they have been taken to.

I respectfully diasagree. Housing is available in many areas for ~$500 to ~$600 a month. Sure more established complexes are going to require credit checks and more significant deposits but plenty of private owners rent apartments/houses with less requirements. I can think of several descent neighborhoods in the South Hills of Pittsburgh where such housing is available. Not only is it less expensive but close to public transportation (Dormont, Brookline, Beechview, etc.) Heck, our own neighborhood (has some available places to live - apts along Rt 88 near Library Fire Dept.) Granted they are not upscale neighborhoods but they are descent, safe neighborhoods with alot to offer (including affordable housing!) Poor people rent housing everyday! It is available!

 

[HayGan]

Nevermind that any reputable apartment complex requires a credit check and verifiable employment. No one is going to rent to someone who has $2000 in their pocket with no way to pay the next months bill.

Happens everyday! There are descent alternatives to apartment complexes!

 

[dvcgirl]

I think the idea behind giving out these cards is to allow people to make choices, and then have the financial means to follow those choices. My guess is that for many, the only thing keeping them in shelters rather than relocating to the homes of friends or family elsewhere is the lack of funds to buy a bus ticket.

My guess is that most of the people in the shelters don't have a credit card, any savings, or anyone to borrow money from to start rebuilding their lives. Insurance companies are on scene and processing initial claims for people, handing over checks for living expenses.

The only thing that disturbs me about the wholesale distribution of these cards with no limits to how the money can be spent. In many cases, the recipients are poor and have no money management skills, and could easily blow through $2000 with nothing to show in a week's time, so it's just going to pepetuate the cycle of poverty.

Anne

I don't agree with the distribution of cash....I really don't. Like Anne, I believe that many of the people getting these debit cards can't manage the money. If someone needs a bus ticket to get to a family member's home...buy them a bus ticket. If someone needs food, buy them food. But throwing cash at these people is just wrong.

Don't get me wrong, this whole tragedy is *awful*. Mistakes made by lots of government officials....right from the Mayor on up. But now I'm starting to feel like we're just throwing money at these people to make this all go away. That's not the answer. There's a lot of people in that Astrodome who weren't working to begin with. So let's get their welfare checks to them...in the form of a debit card.

 

[peachgirl]

If I hand you a debit card with $2000 on it as assistence to help you in hard times, I think there should be strings attached.

Then why do you think FEMA is doing it the way they are? I have my own opinion, but you didn't like it much.

Poor people rent housing everyday! It is available!

They don't do it when all they have in this world is $2000.

I simply do not believe anyone would rent to someone who does not have a job and no way to pay their rent after the $2000 is gone. It doesn't matter if it's a "complex" or not. In most cases, private landlords are more stringent in their requirements than the larger rental agencies.

 

[peachgirl]

But now I'm starting to feel like we're just throwing money at these people to make this all go away.

Bingo!

Give them enough to get them out of the shelters and on to the streets. They're much harder to track that way and won't get near the attention when problems start coming up after the money is gone, which will be in a matter of weeks no matter how wisely they spend it. The only ones who will know it are the local communities and the victims who will suffer the consequences first hand.

 

[HayGan]

I simply do not believe anyone would rent to someone who does not have a job and no way to pay their rent after the $2000 is gone. It doesn't matter if it's a "complex" or not. In most cases, private landlords are more stringent in their requirements than the larger rental agencies.

I'm sorry but if you really believe that then you don't have a descent understanding of what it is too be poor. Most of these people living in these shelters have never had $2,000 in their hands at one time. How do you think these poor people who couldn't get out of the city by their own means originally got housing? Private landlords in more upscale neighborhoods certainly maybe more stringent but not in lower income neighborhoods. If they were, who could they rent to

 

[Charade]

Then why do you think FEMA is doing it the way they are?

You'd have to ask them. All we are doing is guessing. I suppose/hope they had thought it out and this was the fastest/best way. It might turn out not to be so. But for every story we hear of abuses/criticism, there will probably be 50 that work out ok.