Residents of Flint, Michigan, continue to await the settlement payouts from the $626 million fund meant to compensate them for the water crisis that began 11 years ago. According to ABC12, Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley has reiterated that the city has no control over the distribution of these funds, a task that lies solely with the U.S. District Court in Detroit.
The process has been mired in delay, with residents such as Betty Knapp expressing doubt about ever receiving compensation. "I doubt if we get anything. I really doubt it," Knapp told WNEM. As of last Tuesday, there are 28,720 claims deemed eligible for payment; however, disbursement cannot begin until after 13,480 reconsidered allegations and the associated appeals have been resolved.
Amidst the waiting, there are concerns from residents about the sufficiency of the settlement and their inclusion in it. "I feel that the money, that if anybody do get anything, I don’t think it's enough. And, I don’t think enough people was added into the lawsuit," said Cynthia Haynes in an interview with WNEM. A court filing sheds light on the near completion of the review of reconsiderations and notes that 90 percent of claims that were denied and then appealed have been approved.
The settlement distribution, being managed by special master Deborah Greenspan, has necessitated the collection of Social Security numbers from each eligible claimant. Yet, there are still 1,200 approved claimants who have not provided this information, potentially further delaying payments. A system for direct electronic payment and a check distribution center is tentatively being set up to facilitate eventual payouts. "We want to bring closure and clarity to this situation," Mayor Neeley said at a news conference, as reported by MLive. Payment information is expected to be distributed to residents in the next few months, or by late summer or early fall.
