BP Promises $20 Billion for Claims, But Oil Spill Victims Say They're Still Waiting for Payment

As BP promises to fund payment account, 'World News' gets answers.

ByABC News
June 16, 2010, 6:22 PM

June 16, 2010— -- While BP promised today to set aside $20 billion to cover the impact of the oil spill on the people of the Gulf Coast, many of those whose livelihoods have been ruined by the spill say they're in desperation, still waiting for help.

Louisianan Tammy Wolfer and her husband own a shrimp boat, which has been docked for weeks due to the oil. They've filed a business claim with BP, filling out paperwork and turning in three years' worth of tax returns.

So far, though, they said, they've received nothing from BP.

"In eight weeks nothing, not one red cent," Wolfer said. "I had to let my car go back because I can't make payments. I'm walking back and forth to work."

That is the new reality along the Gulf Coast -- families defaulting on car loans and teetering on their mortgages.

Jim Paul, who works as a deck hand, is one who's trouble paying his monthly mortgage.

"Everyone has mortgages, what can you do? Tell them to send the bill to BP?" Paul said.

In the eight weeks since the start of the spill, he said he's received just one check from BP for $2,500. He would have made up to four times that amount if his work hadn't been derailed by the spill.

Today, Paul called BP to check up on his claim. After putting him on hold for 11 minutes, they first told him that they couldn't find his file and then assured him that the check must be in the mail.

"OK, what do I tell my bill collectors?" Paul said.

BP will not talk about specific cases, but late today told ABC News that 27,600 checks have been written so far. That's about half of all claims, but fewer than a quarter of those have gone to businesses with claims totaling $5,000 or more.

Oysterman Jeff Gallet said he's already lost $80,000 this season and has yet to receive a check from BP. The company has told him he needs to submit more paperwork, he said.

Oil has already ruined many of his oysters.

"If I could get 10 good ones out of this batch, I'd be surprised," Gallet said today as he looked at the water of his oyster farm.

And if the ruined oyster beds are any evidence, the losses will only get worse. Once the oil reaches the beds, it takes at least three to four years before the oysters can come back.