The claim forms for the families and victims of the Pulse nightclub attack are now available online. The OneOrlando Fund raised more than $23 million for those people.
- Families, victims can now file claims in Pulse attack
- Forms for OneOrlando Fund
- At least $23 million raised so far
These forms were released exactly two months after the mass shooting. In one month, all of the claim forms, with proper documentation, will be due.
Earlier on Friday, city and county leaders met for a public forum to talk with community members and some of those who were injured in the Pulse massacre.
“I’m doing better,” Angel Santiago said of his injuries from the Pulse shooting. “Working on recovery.”
Two months ago, Santiago wasn’t able to walk into a room on his own. He was bound to a hospital bed, recovering from multiple gunshot wounds. The night of the Pulse massacre, he crawled into a handicap bathroom stall filled with 20 other club-goers, fleeing the gunman.
"I just kept hearing gunfire over and over and over again," Santiago said from his hospital bed two days after the shooting.
Today he is thankful to be alive.
“Overall feeling pretty good,” he said.
While at the public forum, he heard Orlando Police Chief John Mina and other public figures talk about the immediate response to the mass shooting.
“It went from an active shooter situation, to a barricaded gunman, to a hostage situation, to a terrorist situation involving bombs and explosives,” Mina said.
He said the training his officers go through is crucial, but no one can really ever be prepared to see that kind of carnage.
“Hopefully this tragedy and the others around the country will stimulate more action on a state level to put the money and resources where they need to be,” Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs said.
There was also talk of turning the Pulse nightclub into a permanent memorial, but more time would be needed to draw up a plan.
For now leaders say they must continue to move forward to help the community heal emotionally, physically and financially.
Money is still being collected for the OneOrlando Fund.
Officials agree that $23 million will never be enough to compensate for the pain and loss inflicted on an estimated 300 people and their families from that tragic night.
Payment distribution is expected to begin by the end of September.
Claim Forms and the Final Distribution Protocol are available at OneOrlando.org. All information will be available in English and Spanish.
HOW TO MAKE A CLAIM:
1. Go to OneOrlando.org/submitclaim
2. Download, complete and print the required forms
3. Once complete, have the form notarized and then mail the printed Claim Form and required documentation to:
- National Compassion Fund: OneOrlando Fund
c/o National Center for Victims of Crime
2000 M Street NW, Suite 480
Washington, DC 20036
4. All Claim Forms must be postmarked by September 12, 2016 to qualify.
Culturally-experienced representatives are available to assist claimants with completing their claim forms at 855-4-VICTIM or by email OneOrlando@ncvc.org.
TIMELINE:
- Friday, August 12, 2016: Claim Forms and other required documentation available on OneOrlando.org
- September 12, 2016: Deadline for submission of Claim Forms and other required documentation
- September 12 – September 25, 2016: All personal meetings requested with the Fund Administrators completed
- September 12 – September 26, 2016: All claims reviewed by the Fund Administrators and recommendations for payments to eligible claimants submitted to the OneOrlando Fund Board for independent review and approval
- September 27, 2016: Payment Distribution to approved eligible claimants begins on a rolling basis
- After October 15, 2016: Independent Audit begins
ELIGIBILITY:
- Families of victims who died in the nightclub attack
- Victims injured in the attack and hospitalized
- Victims injured in the attack and treated on an out-patient basis
- People who were held hostage inside the nightclub, but weren't injured
HOW TO DONATE:
To donate to the OneOrlando Fund click here: https://donate.oneorlando.org/