Less than 24 hours after beginning to distribute aid to the evacuees, FEMA has decided to stop issuing the $2,000 debit cards to Katrina's victims.
Apparently, only those evacuated to the Texas dome shelters will receive the funds, as reported by MSNBC
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.
Thousands of other evacuees in other states will have to go through the usual application process online and waiting for a direct deposit:
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.
Of course, it begs the question of what one should do if their bank was flooded and escaped with no money or identification to open a new account at a new bank.
Apparently, the program was another rushed, unplanned response, which has become par for the course when referring to the DHS and FEMA!
Program riddled with confusion
The program was initially introduced this week at the Astrodome in Houston, but it was immediately beset with confusion and questions as to who would be eligible.
Some governors and lawmakers raised concerns about the risk of abuse by people falsely claiming to be hurt by the disaster without the full documentation.
"The question is, how do you separate the needy from those who just want a $2,000 handout," said Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski, a Republican.
On Thursday, confusion arose at the Astrodome following reports that the first FEMA cards would be distributed that day. Red Cross cards were distributed, but those seeking the government cards were told they would have to return Friday and provide documentation such as a Social Security number and the address of the damaged property.