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As Jefferson County’s tornado-relief effort entered its third week, some charities, churches and other agencies are getting tougher on people who try to get assistance they don’t really need.

Several groups involved in the relief effort say they’ve begun requiring more proof that people seeking help have a legitimate need.

New safeguards were installed at Bethel Baptist Church in Pleasant Grove because of concerns that people claiming to be storm victims were stocking up on goods they later sold or tried to return to stores for cash, Pastor Rick Cato said Friday.

Eventually, Walmart asked the church to mark out UPC bars so people couldn’t return items they received at the church, he said. Bethel Baptist got law enforcement involved, and at least one arrest was made, according to Cato.

The church began asking anyone seeking help to show the resident sticker that people in Pleasant Grove were issued to get access to their storm-damaged neighborhoods.

“It makes it awkward for everybody,” Cato said. “The last thing we want to do is put someone in need on the spot.”

Scott School, which is serving as a relief center for Pratt City, also took additional steps to identify legitimate storm victims after reports that some people had gotten donated goods and tried to sell them, said Robert Kelly, who is coordinating the relief efforts there.

Salvation Army asks for proof of need from relief recipients The Salvation Army has required tornado survivors who want assistance to present proof of damage and an ID. The Disaster Relief Center Center on Industrial Drive offers anything from food and clothes to toys and cleaning supplies. The mobile canteens are operating in the disaster areas offering food and drinks. (The Birmingham News/Joe Songer) Watch video

Although the Birmingham Salvation Army said it wasn’t aware of any problems with scams, on Thursday it began requiring people seeking food or other goods at its relief center to show proof they received storm damage. Accepted documentation can include disaster packages that people receive after registering for aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a damage report from an insurance company, or a damage report from a licensed contractor/service provider.

“Our intention is to make sure we’re helping the people who need it,” said Salvation Army spokesman Brian Wallace.

To help prevent fraud, avoid duplication of services and make the most of resources, a number of relief organizations also have agreed to use a national database, the Coordinated Assistance Network, to keep up with the services that storm victims have received.

The participating groups met Friday at the United Way of Central Alabama. They include, among others, the American Red Cross, United Way, the Salvation Army and FEMA.

“No agency can do this alone,” said Janet McGuire, the American Red Cross’ public relations manager for this relief effort. “It is a community effort.”

The goal isn’t to be stingy with resources but to ensure those who need help get it, said Samuetta Nesbitt, senior vice president of communications for the United Way. “We don’t want the money to run out,” she said.

The tremendous need is reflected in the latest updates from FEMA, which reported that as of Friday, nearly 64,000 individuals and households had applied for assistance. The agency said the number of people registering for aid this week rose by 32 percent from last week.

In other news:

• FEMA reported it has inspected close to 33,659 damaged homes and property across the state.

• FEMA has opened a new disaster recovery center in St. Clair County. It is at 670 Park Ave. in Moody.

• The Alabama Department of Human Resources said it had processed 77,381 applications for food assistance in the first eight counties running a D-SNAP program as of 6 p.m. Wednesday.

• The Alabama Department of Public Health reminded victims of its food assistance program for pregnant women, nursing mothers and their children who meet income guidelines. Information is available at county health departments or by calling 1-888-942-4673.

• The Alabama Department of Industrial Relations said that as of Friday, it had received 4,635 unemployment claims related to the storms. Of them, 1,514 were in Madison County.

• Alabama Power is warning residents and businesses on Smith Lake to expect lower-than-normal water levels for the next few weeks because of the April 27 storms.

The water level is already below normal for this time of year and may fall even lower during the next few weeks, the utility said. Releases from Smith Lake are needed to help supply electricity to the Tuscaloosa area, where the normal transmission system was severely damaged.

For more information about lake conditions, go online to www.alabamapower.com or call the company’s automated system at 1-800-LAKES11.

Join the conversation by clicking to comment or email DeMonia at rdemonia@bhamnews.com.

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