ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — After 125 days of lost tourism dollars, oily beaches, and promise after promise from BP that they would “make us whole,” Ken Feinberg and his Gulf Coast Claims Facility took over the reigns of the claims process on Monday.

With that transition, local elected officials and business owners are hoping that money set aside by BP will actually begin to flow.

According to Feinberg, even residents and businesses that have already received a check from BP following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill can get a check for up to six months worth of losses.

Future checks, which could be in the form of a one-time lump sum, can also be requested, and will be figured according to the financial information that has been submitted.

Those requesting a claim may refuse the lump-sum payment and resubmit the claim if they feel the offer is insufficient, or if they choose, file suit against BP.

Individuals and businesses, however, that choose to accept the lump-sum check will be required to give up the right to any additional compensation from BP in the future.

So will the new process work? Will businesses on the verge of closing their doors and coastal citizens who are close to being foreclosed on be able to count on BP and Feinberg to save the day?

Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon says he is hopeful, but not totally convinced — yet.

“I’ll say this — I am optimistic, but cautiously optimistic,” said Kennon. “I’m watching to see if Mr. Feinberg is going to do what he says he is going to do. Will the checks start flowing within 48 hours and will people be made whole as they were promised months ago by BP? I guess we will just have to wait and see.”

On Monday morning, Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft made a personal appearance at the claims office to see what kind of difference had been made.

“I went by early just to see what was going on, to listen to the questions, and I will be interested to go back tomorrow to see if they have evolved any,” Craft said at Monday’s city council meeting. “They didn’t know all the answers because they still didn’t know all the questions. I will go back tomorrow and see how things are going and to see if anything has changed.”

Mayor Craft said he arrived at the claims office around 8:30 a.m. and already more than 100 people had been see regarding their claims.

“They don’t have a really high bar to clear to do better than the last group that was trying to handle claims,” he said. “There are high expectations that this will be better.”

 Records show that as of Aug. 21, BP has paid $97 million in claims in Alabama, $80 million in Florida, $31 million in Mississippi and $152 million in Louisiana.

Baldwin County claimants have received $53 million.

Feinberg hopes that people will take advantage of the opportunity to file by using the Internet, but claims can also be filed by mail, by fax or in person.

The website to file a claim is www.gulfcoastclaimsfacility.com <http://www.gulfcoastclaimsfacility.com> . Offices in Baldwin county are at 1506 North McKenzie St., Suite 104, Foley, 1709 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores or at 24039 Perdido Beach Blvd., Suite 1, Orange Beach.