BP claims Czar Ken Feinberg was back in the panhandle this morning, meeting with the Governor's Oil Spill Economic Recovery Task Force in Destin.

He says the issue of actually finding a base to handle the victims' claims process may have a local effect.
Feinberg says he's considering a location in Bay County to house the operation.

Feinberg updated state leaders Wednesday on his new plan of action for the $20 billion dollars BP has set aside for paying-out claims over the next three years.

One of his priorities is finding a place to process all those claims.
Feinberg says the Sallie Mae headquarters in the Lynn Haven Industrial Park is still in the running as a claims site.

"Well we've got that under advisement. Both Senator Nelson and Congressman Boyd have both personally met with me to urge that I do just that. We'll have to check and see how many local individuals we'll need to help administer the Gulf Coast Claims Facility. We'll see where we need them. I completely agree with both of them that we should be hiring local people” Feinberg says.

As many as 700 Sallie Mae workers could be available.
They're being laid -off because the Lynn Haven facility is closing.
It became a victim of the Healthcare Reform Bill, which included legislation that took student loans out of the private sector.

Feinberg will have to make a decision quickly, as the claims process is moving forward.
"We're going to be up and running next month, we're going to be making emergency payments next month; we'll have a better handle on our budget and where we need locals to occupy seats in order to administer the claims.”

From here on out, claims will be paid in a 6-month bulk and considered an 'emergency payment'.
At the end of six months, BP will cut what they're calling a ‘generous lump sum’ check to settle the claim once and for all.

If the recipient agrees and accepts, they will waive their right to sue, if not, it looks like it'll be back to the drawing board.

Feinberg also introduced three elements of eligibility which will consider claims based on proximity, how dependent the business or livelihood is on the Gulf Coast, and the nature of the industry beyond impact.

Feinberg says he expects to make a decision on the claims headquarter location in less than a month.