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CBS Investigates: Earthquake victims ask ‘Where is the aid money?’

Posted at 6:40 AM, May 15, 2013
and last updated 2013-05-16 00:02:52-04

MONTPELIER, Va. (WTVR) - For the last year Barry Noel's home has looked torn up. In 2011, an earthquake left visible cracks in the foundation of the Montpelier house. Costs to repair the damage were estimated to be more than $30,000.

Noel applied to the Virginia Disaster Relief Fund, a fund set up by the Governor to help Virginians that had been victim to natural disaster but, for some reason, could not get federal help. It is funded by taxpayers, but more so from private donations. Noel said he was approved for $28,000.

"Where is the money, when can we get it? Nobody knows, it's as if the money doesn't exist anymore,"  Noel said. "That's $28,000. I mean that's a lot of money."

Noel has spent the better part of the last year trying to get answers to that question. Where is the money?

Catie Beck investigated to get answers. She tracked down the money trail and where it ends. Click on the video for her full report.