The man managing the OneOrlando Fund promises only Pulse attack survivors and families of victims will be compensated by the fund.

  • Draft Protocol for OneOrlando Fund is in place
  • Feedback taken from the victims and their families
  • Claims timeline shows how forms can be filed

Two town hall meetings were held Thursday to answer questions and get input on how the money will be distributed. Ken Feinberg, a national compensation expert, answered questions about the fund.

The money could be sent by mid to late September, but just who will receive those funds and how much will be the hard part.

Demetrice Naulings was inside the Pulse nightclub when shots were fired. He escaped without injury, but continues to live with the pain of losing his best friend, Eddie Justice.

“This was someone that I got a text message and phone call from every day," Naulings said. "This was someone that made me smile and made me want to live on.”


Ken Feinberg talks to the public during a town hall meeting for the OneOrlando Fund Thursday. Media viewed the meeting from a special room. (Amanda McKenzie, Staff)

The Latest

8 p.m.

Another question: if a boyfriend of a victim makes a claim, and the family makes the claim, what happens? What happens if the boyfriend claims to be a common-law husband? Feinberg reiterates: either work it out, or go to probate court and get a ruling from a judge.

7:55 p.m.

New question to Feinberg: Who holds him and the fund committee accountable? Feinberg says there will be a public audit, and the committee holds Feinberg accountable.

Another question: What if you were at Pulse but you did not take a police statement or went to the hospital? Feinberg says if there is no police record, you are ineligible.

However, if your car was stuck in the parking lot because of the crime scene and the police have a record of that, it counts.

7:45 p.m.

Another person urges the fund's board to revisit the 24 hour rules. Reminds that traumatized survivors may not have been worrying about themselves, but about others. Also, some of them may have feared getting help because they did not have insurance.

Previous updates ▼


A draft protocol has been drawn up on how to distribute the $23 million that has so far come into the fund. Once fund administrators hear feedback from victims, their families and the public, a decision for the final protocol will be made, Feinberg said.

“Twenty-three million dollars - It is not enough," said Feinberg. "It can not possibly be a substitute for what you have suffered.”

Feinburg emphasized four eligibility requirements for filing a claim and receiving money:

  • Families of victims who died in the nightclub attack
  • Victims injured in the attack and hospitalized
  • Victims injured in the attack and treated on an out-patient basis
  • People who were held hostage inside the nightclub, but weren't injured

The exact amount each person will get will depend on the fund’s total on Sept. 26., severity of injuries and how many claims are filed.

As the claims begin to come in, the fund said they will be screening them to prevent fraud and verify each claim with law enforcement.

“Whoever lost anybody in that club that night, family members, that they would get the most and they would get the most and I think that’s the right decision for that," Naulings said.

Victims and their families can file claim forms, available on the OneOrlando website, beginning August 11. Claims must be filed by Sept. 12.

According to the OneOrlando website, claim forms will not be made available until after the Final Distribution Protocol is posted. 

People can register now to receive the claim form when it's made available online.

Feinberg emphasized several points on how money will be distributed, per the draft Protocol:

  • Some victims or their family members may recieve more money than others. For example, someone who was hospitalized for an extended period of time will receive more money that some one who was injured but quickly released from the hospital, according to Feinberg.
  • Only one claim will be accepted from each victims' family. Multiple claims from mulitple family members will not be accepted. Each family must designate a person to file the claim on behalf of the victim, officials said.
  • Once feedback is collected from the public, Feinberg said the Protocol could be adjusted before a final Protocol is made. Once a final protocol is approved, no additional changes will be made and that process will be used to disperse money.
  • The amount of money fund administrators determine will be distributed will be given to victims in total, Feinberg said. That means no adjustments will be made to the amount of money for future expenses.

Everyone must file a claim with the OneOrlando Fund in order to receive money.

For those who have questions about the claim forms, email OneOrlando@ncvc.org or call 855-484-2846.

To read the draft Protocol, click here.

Previous Updates

7:40 p.m.

Head of The Center asks what does a family member do if they are not from Orlando. If they are from Puerto Rico, they can go to probate court in Puerto Rico. If they are from another country, they need to come to the fund and ask. If the family can designate a beneficiary without needing to go to probate court, then there's no issue.

Another question from Orlando says she was not married to her significant other, who died in the attack. An infant was left behind and would technically be the beneficiary. Feinberg says the woman should go to probate court, where she will automatically be deemed to represent the child's interest, as long as she is the mother.

Feinberg says he got clarification on the 24 hour rule. If the person was physically in the nightclub and was injured at the time of the attack, they would be eligible for funds under the fourth eligibility category. They may not get as much money though.

7:35 p.m.

Another question: What if the victim is still in the hospital and can't file themselves? Feinberg says 1. That person will get the most money among survivors. 2. Go to probate court and say the victim is unable and get a power of attorney.

7:30 p.m.

First question: What if you didn't go to the hospital in the first 24 hours? Feinberg says if you did not receive any medical attention in the first 24 hours, they are ineligible.

A second speaker asks the fund's board to revisit the 24 hours. She says 24 hours from the attack puts everyone on Sunday. Some may not have been too traumatized to seek help, or were able to before Monday.

Feinberg says he agrees 24 hours was arbitrary. "We figure if you didn't go to a hospital or doctor within 24 hours, it's a different degree of injury. We have to stop somewhere." Feinberg says he will take it under advisement.

7:25 p.m.

Feinberg now back at the podium. He says that the money in this fund has nothing to do with the money survivors and families may have received from other funds.  

7:20 p.m.

Anita Bush, cousin of an Aurora shooting victim says they hope the National Compassion Fund is fully implemented across the country.

A father of a victim in the Santa Barbara shooting says to the families of the Pulse victims: "Parents, welcome to the club that no one wants to belong to."

7:10 p.m.

Feinberg introduces parents of victims of shootings in Aurora and Santa Barbara, and a survivor of the Aurora shooting. They are telling families that they are there for the Pulse attack survivors and the families of those killed to answer any questions.

The families say they have pushed to make sure 100 percent of the funds go to victims' families and survivors. That has not happened after other shootings.

7:05 p.m.

Feinberg wants families of those killed in the attack to work out and designate one person to be the beneficiary and file the claim, and if necessary go to probate court. "Who gets the money? We are talking about a large money. Who gets that money?" Feinberg said. The person designated will distribute the money to other family.

Feinberg says no money will be distributed on behalf of that victim until that is all determined. If the family can't come to an agreement, the money for that victim will be deposited in probate court.

7 p.m.

Feinberg says in a situation like this, someone always tries to commit fraud. And they will have no tolerance for it.

6:50 p.m.

By the way, the meeting is maintaining the anonymity of the people in the meeting, especially the families. No one is allowed to bring cell phones or laptops in. The media is in a special room.

Feinberg says they do not want medial records for the claim from survivors and families. He says the hospital and police will be able to help verify the claims.

6:45 p.m.

Feinburg emphasized four eligibility requirements for filing a claim and receiving money:

  • Families of victims who died in the nightclub attack
  • Victims injured in the attack and hospitalized
  • Victims injured in the attack and treated on an out-patient basis
  • People who were held hostage inside the nightclub, but weren't injured

The exact amount each person will get will depend on the fund’s total on Sept. 26., severity of injuries and how many claims are filed.

Victims and their families can file claim forms, available on the OneOrlando website, beginning August 11. Claims must be filed by Sept. 12.

6:40 p.m.

The OneOrlando Fund has collected $23 million so far. All of it will go to the victims. Feinberg said even he is not being compensated for his time.

6:35 p.m.

The second of two town hall meetings on the OneOrlando Fund is underway at Amway Arena. Alex Martins with the Orlando Magic opened the proceedings with a moment of silence for the victims of the Pulse nightclub attack.

All of the money is going to the victims. The question is how that money will be distributed.

The meeting will be overseen by Ken Feinberg, a national compensation expert who has worked with other victim compensation funds, including the 9/11 victims fund.