New FEMA Law Could Benefit Many Gulf Coast Residents

Many Gulf coast residents who received FEMA money after Hurricane Katrina have been getting debt collection notices because the government says they shouldn't have gotten the money. But a new law could provide financial relief to thousands who received such notices. FEMA says it's been required by law to try to recoup that money, even if the recipient did nothing wrong. A new law signed into law Friday, though, would allow FEMA to waive many of those debts. FEMA spokesperson Rachel Racusen says the agency is reviewing the law and figuring out a way to implement it. It's not clear how many people would benefit from the change.