This is so bogus! Google oil spill and this BP sponsored link pops uphttp://www.bp.com/bodycopyarticle.do?categoryId=1&contentId=7052055&nicam=USCSBaselineCrisis&nisrc=Google&nigrp=Non_Branded_Crisis_Management-_General&niadv=General&nipkw=oil_spill.
I have also heard the that the National Guard is having to go house to house to let people know how to get signed up for some of the programs to help them while they are unemployed because of the spill! Apparently, BP has not wanted to get the word out because of what that will add to their clean up costs.

Here is some info. on how to file a claim in case anyone knows someone from the area:
http://consumereducation.suite101.com/article.cfm/filing-a-claim-with-bp-oil-spill—loss-of-income-and-interim-pay