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State urges oil spill claimants to provide documentation to GCCF

State establishes toll free number to assist claimants

October 18, 2010

The state of Louisiana said today that based on information provided by Claims Adjuster Kenneth Feinberg, nearly half of the Louisianians who have filed a claim with the independent Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF) must provide additional information before any emergency or final payments. The state has established a toll free phone number to assist the nearly 28,000 claimants who need assistance preparing the needed information or documentation to the GCCF, or the countless others who have yet to file a claim.

"We know how important claims payments are for families struggling to keep the lights on and food on the table," said Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Ruth Johnson. "Ensuring that individuals and businesses get the help they need to navigate the claims process and continue to receive needed assistance is paramount to the state."

The toll free phone number is (866) 325-2046. Callers should be prepared to leave a message with their name and contact information, location in Louisiana and a summary of their claims. The claimants will then be contacted by one of Louisiana's Technical Assistance Providers, non-profit agencies that are assisting citizens with the claims process.

According to Feinberg who oversees the GCCF, 27,987, of 43 percent, of Louisiana's claimants cannot move forward in the claims process until they provide the GCCF additional information or documentation.

The state is also urging Louisianians who filed a Deepwater Horizon oil spill claim with BP but who have not yet confirmed that claim with the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF) to do so soon.

Claims submitted to BP before the GCCF took over the claims process in August were automatically transferred to the independent claims administrator. However, claimants must complete a GCCF claim form by November 23, 2010, in order to apply for emergency advance payments. Claimants have until August 23, 2013, to apply for a final payment.

Claimants can contact the GCCF at 1-800-916-4893 (TTY assistance at 1-866-682-1758) or by e-mail at info@gccf-claims.com.