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People fed up with the new claims process are getting help from the state. The Department of Financial Services is taking claims straight to the head of BP’s 20 billion dollar fund. As Whitney Ray tells us, the mediation is giving new hope to people who say without a check from BP, they won’t make it through the winter.

Christopher Hoalt lost his waiting job at a seafood restaurant this summer after the BP oil spill cut business in half.

“I was down about 50 percent during our prime season, which is Memorial Day to Labor Day. Then I was laid off the day after Labor Day,” said Hoalt.

He filed a claim more than a month ago but is getting the runaround from the claims office.

Wednesday the Department of Financial Services held a workshop in Panama City to help people with their claims and take their stories straight to Ken Feinberg, the man in charge of a 20 billion dollar BP fund.

“There is a complete lack of communication by Fienberg’s office with many of the folks we’ve spoken with,” said Tami Torres with DFS.

But the process is improving. Claims are now being paid faster and proximity to the spill is no longer keeping Florida claims from being paid. That’s good news because there are thousands of Floridians who can’t hold out much longer.

With the tourism season here in the panhandle over, many claimants need the money to make it through to next spring. Charter boat Captain James Pic is waiting on his final check from BP. The spill cut his business by a third but he’s had little trouble getting BP to make good on its promise to pay legitimate claims.

“Every claim that I have filed they have paid me. I have had no issues with them whatsoever,” said Pic.

For those still struggling, the Department of Financial Services is offering a hand and promises to vouch for Floridians. And for help getting your claim processed go to www.myfloridacfo.com/FloridaClaimsHelp.