Some families in Garden Grove, California, are still in financial limbo after the chemical tank crisis last month. A week after residents were given clearance to return to their homes, GKN Aerospace, the company at the center of the crisis, announced a $3 million donation to Orange County’s United Way to help affected families.

Relief Fund Applications Closed

The funds were made available as a one-time payment of up to $500 per household, with applications accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. However, after receiving thousands of requests, new applications are no longer being accepted. Many who applied for the funds are still waiting to hear if they will be given the financial assistance.

About 50,000 people were ordered to evacuate their homes last month after the facility reported overheating and pressure building in one of the toxic chemical storage tanks. With some evacuation centers reaching capacity at the time, residents who were unable to get in had to seek lodging elsewhere, such as hotels and motels.

Residents who were evacuated, like James Abilez and Rafael Cruz Delgado, are still waiting to hear if they will receive the financial assistance. “You make ends meet, but still you’re spending unnecessary amounts of money that nobody needs to spend,” said Abilez. Delgado added, “It’s a joke. It’s a joke. Out of 50,000, people were affected.” Both Delgado and Abilez applied for the financial assistance but have yet to hear whether it will be granted to them.

Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.