Hi! We recently drove to Jennings to apply for Red Cross at the courthouse (this was a week ago today). I saw something on the news about these applications having errors that have been corrected and not to reapply. Can anyone tell me more about this? I'm sure this would delay getting our Red Cross money, provided we get any in the first place. Thanks!

I also read thet the errors were being corrected. I have talk to several people that have gotten their money that applied in Jennings. Some applied after me and some before. So it's coming I hope. What I didn't understand was the news said they were doing a case by case basis depending on damages. Where on the application did it mention damages? My applications just asked for Name, SS # and names of the people in my house. How do you access damages from that?

LORINDAT - After Rita hit, the Red Cross and FEMA sent damage assesment teams into the SW LA. They surveyed the damage, took pictures, and then sat down to determine the hardest hit areas. The organizations use this information to determine what areas (usually by zip code) become elible for financial assistance.

I think what the Red Cross representative was trying to say is that the Red Cross will look at each application and then compare the applicant's residence information to their list of areas (usually by zip code) that qualify for assistance.

If you qualify, then you will most likely be receiving a check. If you do not qualify, then you will receive a letter indicating that you were denied and why. This letter will also contain information on how to appeal the qualification decision.

I would give it another week. If you still have not heard from the Red Cross, then I would call 1-866-GET-INFO (Red Cross Information). They will not have access to the financial information, but they will have the ability to open a case that will contain you specific information. Think of it as a fancy email to the financial folks.

Hope this helps.

Opus

Hi All.. I finally got thru on the phone with Red Cross and after describing my damage of several holes in our roof, loss of food and hundreds of dollars of gas bought for generator, not to mention that we were out of power for 2 weeks and couldn't live in our home, we were denied. She said that our damage was not extensive enough. I just started crying right then. After all we have gone thru and are still going thru, we were denied assistance. Also Fema hasn't come thru either. They keep messing up my registration and it isn't even being looked at. I've called them 12 times already and still nothing. My 5 year old and I have gotten a flu-like illness for three weeks now and can't afford to go to the doctors office. We spent last months bill money to flee from the storm and buy food. I am really at my wits end. What is an honest person to do???

Hi, I am sorry to hear you are going through the same thing I went through. I am disabled with two small children and had to evacuate for 8 days. Red Cross messed up my application, but I called back the second day and explained to the lady that the person who handled my case the day before did not mention I was eligible for the assistance, and asked her to check if she had made a mistake. Well sure enough my claim was not even put in. This lade told me luck for me I called back otherwise I would have been forgotten. She did my application on the phone right then and there and my money was ready by western union within 24 hours. I called 1-800-975-7585, keep pressing redial or call in the early morning hours.

Fema Ha I have been having mistakes done on my claim from day one. I have even went as far as to appeal and still I await. I never once was told about the expedited assistance which I know I am entitled to. So, after almost three weeks of nothing with Fema I called 337-721-3850 and thank god these people were able to fix the errors. They claim I will recieve my money within 5 - 7 days. Good luck believe me I can bet several people have gone through what we are.

It all amazes me that two people in the same zip code can be treated so differnt. I know peopl who have had no damage or very lttle damage. Was out of power for one week. And yes you guest it, they have $2000, Red Cross checks, Emergency Food stamps and have gotten their genaraters paid for. While others who have real needs for these items are denied. Wish I could understand this system. I do have damage not server but have to redo 5 rooms in my home and redo the whole roof. I seem not to have enough damage for the complete help.

The folks who have minimal damage and managed to get financial assistance are the ones who are causing the problems for folks that really needed it. I don't think we should be yelling at the Red Cross for being unfair, I think you should be yelling at those that are taking advantage of the system.

This may not help, but the Red Cross is an immediate needs organization. There main job is providing shelter, food, medical assistance to folks that have lost everything. They have done this exceedingly well although it is not apparent to everyone.

Extra hint about using the redial key to call the 1-800-975-7585 number, DON'T USE IT. The phone computers see the fast dial sequence and think it is another computer calling. Always dial slowly with the keypad.

If you have been denied Red Cross assistance, look for a Red Cross Service Center. http://www.kplctv.com/global/Story.asp?s=3941989
You can always go in and restate your case to see if the local folks on the ground have any additional information as to your elibility.

Opus

Dont mean to sound off on the RED CROSS, I know they are probally just so overwhelmed but it is so frustraing to wait for help while others are getting away with murder or theft in this case. Someone always has to pay for the ones who do wrong.

I called the 800 number for Red Cross over a week ago and was denied financial assistance $$$ because I was told this money was only being given to those who had completely lost their home or whose home was so severely damaged that they could not live in their home. Everyone I know who applied at a local center told me they just gave their driver's license and address and were approved. I called again today to the 800 number and explained this, and I was told the people at the local centers didn't know what they were doing and were not giving out this money in accordance with Red Cross guidelines. The lady on the phone was rather snippy and told me this is why they call it 'immediate EMERGENCY assistance'. If you are not in dire straits you are supposedly not entitled. Plus, she said if you got FEMA money, they consider that to have fulfilled your needs. I have not been able to devote several hours from my day to sit at a local center, so I guess I will not benefit from Red Cross assistance like everyone else in Calcasieu parish has.

I agree that a LOT of people are taking advantage of Red Cross, but that doesn't excuse Red Cross for denying my claim of damage to my roof, lost food and gas. They should inspect the homes of all the applications that were approved if they are going by "extensive damage". Also, roof damage is extensive damage when you have water coming into your home!

My parents always donate money to Red Cross whenever there is a disaster. Always! I also helped the Katrina victims when they flooding into our town. The only help my family has received is food items from christians. God Bless them for caring.

I just hope that the people turning us down never has to go thru what we all did. If they did, they would feel our pain.

I trully hope the needy get what they need.

Vicky_Chug

I'm sorry to you feel that way about the Red Cross. But I don't think they should repair your roof, or replace the food in your frig/freezer, or even pay for the lost gas. That is not what the Red Cross is there for! They have been using all that money that has been donated in the past and present to help folks that do not even have a roof or a refrigerator. They are helping people that do not have car that uses gas. FEMA and house insurance should be fixing your roof, not the Red Cross.

The shelters, the millions of hot meals that have been served, the medical assistance that has been provided is making a difference. I understand the frustration, believe me I do, but I think you are blaming the wrong organization. If you do not have house insurance, I don't think that is the fault of the Red Cross.

Don't get me wrong, I know that folks are abusing the system and honest, needy folks are falling through the cracks. I think you should look for a Red Cross Service Center in your parish and get some face time with one of the representatives to see if they can do anything else.

There was a previous post from someone that indicated they did not have enough time to stand in line. My response is that if they can not spare the time to help themselves, then they should stop whining.

Opus

My errors on my application if any must have been fixed I got my check today. I think God is trying to teach us patience and some of us are failing bad. It is just so hard to see so many people in need and so many taking advantage of the system. But this is not something new there have been people doing this for years.

Hey
I'm sure sorry all yall are having problems with Red Cross. We stayed in Minden, LA, and heard that the RC in Shreveport was basically worthless, so my wife took my driver's license ID, my social security card, and went with her dad to El Dorado, Arkansas, (about 50 miles north of where we were) to the Red Cross office there. My wife said the lady photocopied our cards and our daughter's social security card, asked her for our address and zip code, and asked where we were staying. That's it. It took 5 minutes or less. Then she gave my wife a voucher for about $950 for the 3 of us, and told her the voucher could only be cashed at a certain bank there in El Dorado---no direct deposits, no cash, no debit cards. So they all got back into the car, found the bank, cashed the vouchers. ABsolutely no problem. My wife said the lack of paperwork and questions was absolutely amazing. So I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's a shame we had to go all the way to southern Arkansas to get Red Cross assistance!

Not everyone if blessed enough to have insurance, becaue of a few that do, that have it, file false claims, or file every time a frog pees. We have tried for 13 years to get insurance, the last time we were told by State Farm, we were deinied, because we raise horses.What little coverage we have found, is so high, on a fixed income, we could not afford to pay for anything else,if we took out insurance. So before spouting off, and saying what should be done and tell people what they should or should not be doing count your blessings. Yes it is very hard to see other taking avantage of the system while the ones that need it are paying the price.But the truth remains, instead of pointing fingers at each other, we should be asking congress, why? How can we aid so many countries, and do so little for our own people? Stop pointing and start asking. It is not the local goverment, the sheriff offices and local offical's hands are tied as to how much they can do.They have done a outstanding job.Has anyone ever really realised, that the police, sheriff officers, and state police, as well as DOT workers and other's put their lives on the line everyday, for our safety, and are paid so little? My hat is off to them. I know what I saw in Cameron Parish, and I do not live there. The officers there did a great and are still doing a great job. You should shake their hands when you see them, and tell them Thank-you, as well as Cal., Jeff Dav. and many other Parishes. JMHO

Sorry if I sounded like I was spouting. I was more interested in offering suggestions that might help. Trying to be realistic instead of offering false hope. I totally agree with your comments about the early responders to the diaster areas. These folks have also suffered terrible damage to there homes and lives and are still showing up for work to help and protect others. They get my gratitude.

Opus