FEMA Discontinues Unrequested Quake Checks : Disaster: In an effort to get aid to victims quickly, emergency funds went to all residents in certain ZIP codes--even some who did not want help.

Federal Emergency Management Agency officials said Thursday that they are discontinuing the expedited delivery of disaster assistance that resulted in the mailing of hundreds of checks to people who did not ask for emergency funds.

Disaster housing checks for up to $3,450 each were issued to residents based on ZIP codes in areas hit hard by the Northridge earthquake, even though some of the check recipients were still living in their homes and did not need emergency housing assistance.

The problem stemmed from an effort to get aid to victims as quickly as possible and from the tremendous backlog of applications, which hampered normal verification procedures, said Morrie Goodman, FEMA’s director of public information.

FEMA usually requires inspection of applicants’ homes to determine the extent of damage and eligibility for aid programs. But in this case there were not enough inspectors to go around and checks for needy victims could have been delayed for weeks, Goodman said.

“We felt, as an agency, it was better to send the checks than to wait until we had inspectors out there,” he said. The agency has increased its ranks of inspectors to about 800 and hopes to have 1,500 in the field by next week, he said.

“We hope shortly that we will be able to match demand with the numbers of inspectors,” Goodman said. “We will be concentrating more on specific needs as inspectors go out to homes and will be downplaying the use of ZIP codes.”

Meanwhile, FEMA invited those who received disaster housing checks in error to return them. Officials also emphasized that everyone who received a check will be asked to account for the money and can expect a visit from a government inspector.

Goodman said confusion among some quake victims who received unanticipated checks may stem from the registration process. When victims call FEMA’s registration hot line, he said, they automatically apply for the entire range of FEMA assistance programs, regardless of whetherthey request a specific form of aid.

But Goodman also encouraged quake victims to use the money for any FEMA-administered program, including home repairs, motel or hotel rooms, if victims have been displaced; longer-term relocation; replacement of damaged items and crisis counseling.

Quake victims who received emergency housing checks and think they are not entitled to them may return them to: FEMA, Disaster Temporary Housing Branch, P.O. Box 8020, Redwood City, Calif. 94063.