Latest News

Congressman Boyd Tours Gulf Coast with National Guard

Boyd Tells BP to Deliver Funds for Tourism Advertising Directly to North Florida Counties
(Read the letter Congressman Boyd Sent BP's Chief Operating Officer by clicking here)

Military Leaders Delivery on Key Action Item identified at Boyd’s Oil-Hurricane Planning Conference

My View: Ensuring Our People and Communities Get the Relief They Deserve

Boyd Brings Local Officials and BP Represenatives Together for Face-to-Face Meetings

Boyd Helps Introduce Tax Relief and Economic Development Package for North Florida
(A complete list of provisions in the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2010 can be found by clicking here)

Boyd Meets with Florida Tourism Officials to Discuss Impact of the BP Oil Spill

Boyd Moves to Make BP Claims Checks Tax Exempt

Boyd Fights to Remove Bureaucratic Red Tape from Oil Spill Response Efforts

Boyd Calls on President to Establish Emergency Account to Pay for Hurricane-related Oil Damages

Boyd: "Every Effort Possible Needs to be Taken to Prevent the Destruction of St. Vincent and St. Marks"

Boyd’s Conference Reveals Need for Integrated Oil and Hurricane Preparedness Plan

Boyd Calls on President to Establish Gulf Seafood Safety Task Force

Boyd Fights to Avoid Disruption of Gulf Clean-up and Containment Efforts

Boyd: Need for Federal Hurricane Plan is Immediate and Critical

Congressman Boyd Introduces Legislation to Protect Communities and Small Businesses and Hold Oil Companies Accountable for the Full Coast of Damages

Local News

Gulf grief awaits Feinberg at public forum

Counties work to revive tourist trade

Survey of Scientists Reveals Faith That Gulf Can Rebound From BP Oil Spill

As oil spill cleanup shifts gears, gulf residents fear they'll be forgotten

Looking for the oil? NOAA says it's mostly gone

Franklin EOC director looks at lessons learned during spill

‘Static Kill’ Appears to Be Working in Well

U.S. Finds Most Oil From Spill Poses Little Additional Risk

Florida's sales surge in May despite oil spill

Upcoming kill attempt might do the trick alone

Florida pulls restrictions on Gulf fishing

Beach renourishment moves forward despite oil spill

Fishermen turn up noses at 'smell tests'

Off the coast of Panama City Beach crews look for oil

Officials envision oil spill's end

BP's Hayward to leave as CEO

State aquaculture team ensures bay oysters safe to eat

Florida communities get creative to lure back tourists scared by oil spill

Community rallies in wake of oil

Beaches should weather oil well; wildlife not so lucky

Panhandle county tells BP: Pay up to save Apalachicola Bay's bounty

Oystermen racing to harvest delicacy

Walton shuffles money to aid with oil

Cost is forcing oysters off the menus of local restaurants

Apalachicola Bay oystermen fight for livelihood -- and identity

CFO Sinks asks Florida's Congressional Delegation to Support Boyd's Legislation to Waive Federal Income Tax on BP Payments

Ag department to run seafood ads in North Florida

New website launched to handle claims, report oil sitings

Op-ed: Allen Boyd - Storm Could Bring Us a Mix of Troubles

Early scallop season adds insurance for Florida's Big Bend region

Read Congressman Boyd's Statement following his meeting with DEP Secretary Sole

Images
NASA and NOAA provide regularly updated photos to track the movement of the oil slick.

NASA Image

NOAA Map

View a map showing the latest fisheries closures resulting from the oil spill.

Resources and Hotlines:

To file a claim, volunteer, report an oil siting or share an idea, visit www.restorethegulf.gov

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has been designated the lead state agency for responding to potential impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill along Florida’s shoreline. The DEP has set up the numbers below for Floridians to use if they need assistance.

Florida State Emergency Information Line – 800.342.3557

Environment/community hotline - to report oil on the shoreline or other environment or community impacts, please call 866.448.5816

Wildlife – to report and access care for impacted wildlife, please call 866.557.1401

Volunteers – to volunteer to help in the clean-up and containment efforts, please call 866.448.5816

Vessels of Opportunity – to report and register boats available to assist with response, please call 281.366.5511

Services – to register as consultant, contractor, vendor, or submit information on alternative response technology, services, products or suggestions, please call 281.366.5511

BP will pay all legitimate claims for damages resulting from the oil spill and necessary response costs.   This includes:

• Property damage
• Net loss of profits and earning capacity
• Subsistence loss and natural resource damage
• Removal and cleanup costs
• Cost of increased public services
• Net loss of government revenue

BP also will evaluate all claims for bodily injury even though they are not payable under the Oil Spill Pollution Act of 1990.

To File a Claim

File a claim by calling the toll-free number, 1-800-440-0858, or by going online at www.bp.com/claims.

If you file a claim via the toll free number, 1-800-440-0858

• You will be given a claim number by the call center.  It is important that you keep your claim number.  You will need this information.
• After you have your claim number, a claim adjuster will contact you, or you can visit a claim center.
• If you visit the claim center, you will need to have documentation to support your claim and a photo ID.
• If you talk with a claim adjuster on the phone, documentation can be sent by mail, email, or fax.
• See below for what type of documentation is needed for each type of claim.

If you file a claim online at www.bp.com/claims:

• You will be called and provided a claim number, usually the same day.
• After you have your claim number, a claim adjuster will contact you, or you can visit a claim center.
• If you visit the center you will need a photo ID and documentation to support your claim.
• If you talk with a claim adjuster on the phone, documentation can be sent by mail, email, or fax.
• See below for what is needed for each type of claim.

Visit a claim center

You may visit one of the BP Claim Centers; however, we recommend that you first obtain a claim number by calling the toll free number 1-800-440-0858. This will help avoid delays. Claim center locations can be found online at www.bp.com/claims.

Claims by mail

You may submit a claim via mail by sending it to: ESIS, One Beaver Valley Road, Wilmington, DE 19803

You should only file one claim. You can report different types of damages on the same form with the same claim number.   Multiple claim numbers will delay the review of the claim.  Claim adjusters will help you deal with any exceptions to this.

Supporting Documentation

You will need to provide photo ID and documentation supporting your loss.  Below is information about what is needed to support various claims.

Loss of income or net profit claim documentation can include:

• Tax records
• Trip tickets
• Wage loss statements
• Deposit slips
• Boat registrations
• Copies of your current fishing license

Commercial economic loss claims may require additional business specific records.

Property damage claims can require photographs and replacement or cleaning receipts.

Larger property damage claims may require on-site inspection by a claim adjuster.

Loss of rental claims can include prior occupancy rates, cancellations, tax records, and bookkeeping records.

Bodily injury claims are not payable under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990; however, BP will evaluate each bodily injury claim submitted on a case-by-case basis.  You will need to provide medical records, medical bills, or pharmacy records to support the claim.

Loss of Income or Net Profit Second Payments

Loss of income or net profit payments are made in advance because individuals and businesses need to pay their bills.

If you were given an interim advance payment for loss of income or net profits before June 1, you are eligible for a second payment.  The second interim advance payment will be for the same amount as the first payment you received.  No check will be reduced.

Individuals and businesses will receive their second payment about 30 days after their initial advance payment was received. For example, if you received a payment on May 15, you will receive a second interim advance payment about June 15. Checks will be mailed to you along with a letter that is printed in four languages -- English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Khmer.

If you are receiving your first interim advance payment in June, the claims center will communicate with you about any further possible payments.

Supplemental Payment

If you have losses that are larger than the amount of any interim advance payment, you must work with a claim adjuster to discuss the losses.  Those who have provided documentation that demonstrates the losses actually incurred are larger than the total amount of interim advance payments received will receive a supplemental payment for the difference.  This payment will be provided by a claim adjuster after talking with the individual or business owner.

Translators Available

Some of the claim offices are staffed with translators including the following:

For Vietnamese:

• Bayou LaBatre, AL
• Bay St. Louis, MS;  Biloxi, MS
• New Orleans , LA
• Boothville-Venice, LA
• Gretna/Belle Chase, LA

For Spanish:

• Bayou LaBatre, AL
• Bay St, Louis, MS
• Orange Brach, AL
• Mobile, AL

For Khmer

• Bay St. Louis, MS

BP community offices also have translators.  Additional translators will be provided as needed at claims centers.  For an updated list, please see the web site www.bp.com/claims.

Help after you file a claim

To check on a claim if you have a claim number and have not heard from a claim adjuster, call 1-800-573-8249.

Contact Information

1-800-440-0858 -- To file a claim

1-800-573-8249 -- To check on a claim if you have a claim number and have not heard from a claim adjuster

ESIS, One Beaver Valley Road, Wilmington, DE 19803 -- To submit a claim by mail

To submit a claim online or find a claims center near you, you can go to one of the following:

www.bp.com/claims

www.bp.com/gulfofmexicoclaims

www.bp.com/claim

www.ms-response.com

www.al-response.com

www.la-response.com

www.fl-response.com