But 79 percent of the money remains unspent sitting in a fund at United Way of Utah - while a survey of hurricane survivors still in Utah shows most struggle to make ends meet.

Another $4.1 million was donated to the Greater Salt Lake chapter of the American Red Cross, but nearly all of that was shipped to its headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Meanwhile, more than a dozen state and local agencies picked up the tab caring for evacuees, and now they are waiting for reimbursement of potentially millions of dollars.

Some agencies have been told the check is in the mail. So far, the federal government has approved $660,618 in reimbursement to the state. But according to numbers compiled by The Salt Lake Tribune, the state is owed at least another $1.6 million.

The actual amount owed is probably much higher. Utah's costs continue to mount as housing authorities and other groups help the 399 survivors living here recover. Also excluded from the state's hurricane ledger: $3.1 million that the Utah National Guard spent aiding victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. State officials can only confirm reimbursement of $12,394 of that money.

Still, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s spokeswoman, Lisa Roskelley, said Thursday: ''The governor is happy to help those who have come here at this time of distress and we'll do what we can.''

A phone poll of 83 evacuees completed earlier this month by the Utah Department of Public Safety showed 74 percent can't afford basic necessities, such as food, transportation, household goods and clothing.

Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast on Aug. 29. The first batch of evacuees arrived in Utah on Sept. 3, but state officials say they only recently became aware that some survivors have unmet needs.

Pamela Atkinson, a homeless advocate and Huntsman's Katrina point person, met with other state leaders Thursday and agreed to release more of the United Way stash immediately to help buy winter clothes, furniture and food.

United Way spokeswoman Marti Money confirmed that of the $233,778 in public donations, $48,884 was spent on hurricane victims - $19,000 on household goods, $1,884 to help transport a family to another state, $18,000 to Calvary Baptist Church to staff a support group and $10,000 to United Way of Northern Utah for evacuees in Ogden.

"We'll move the rest of the money out as soon as we get direction from the state," said Money, adding the nonprofit won't charge for its services.

Those who donated to the Red Cross were told donations would be used for national relief efforts, said chapter president Mariann Geyer. The chapter was reimbursed $22,000 for its costs.

Utah mostly gets positive reviews from evacuees: 96 percent of those polled say living here has been a ''good experience'' and 75 percent say they desire to live here ''for a long time.''

Evacuees, however, expressed frustration over the slow response of the federal government.

Forty percent say they have yet to receive the cash assistance that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) promised. Of those who got their first $2,358 check, 38 percent already spent the money.

That poses a problem for evacuees who were supposed to use that money for rent come March 1 when their state-paid housing ends.

Displaced families can apply for more rent assistance through FEMA, something the state just advised evacuees to do this week.

Among the survivors who say they need continued help are Mary and David Richard.

David is a quadriplegic and Mary just is starting classes to become certified to work with Alzheimer's patients in Utah. For now, they are living on unemployment and Social Security checks, which makes the housing and utility help crucial.

"If we paid rent, we wouldn't be able to buy food," Mary Richard said. As it is, their food benefit also has been cut from $246 to $82 a month.

"It's better than nothing," she said.

A week ago, the Richards dipped into their savings to buy a car as their bus passes and taxi vouchers expired. "We were hesitant about touching it but we really needed transportation, particularly if I'm going to work," Mary Richard said. Others, she knows, don't have that option.

Atkinson said while the state ''didn't set out to hold'' the Katrina donations back, the money will come in handy as a buffer for families like the Richards.

"We're going to be looking at the feasibility of using that money until we can stabilize them out. We don't want to see anyone evicted when the leases are up," said Atkinson.

Meanwhile, state agencies are still applying for federal reimbursement for monies already spent.

Utah National Guard spokesman Maj. Hank McIntire said he is confident "we will be fully reimbursed" either by FEMA or Department of Defense. But other agencies have been told to expect "far less" than a full refund.

Doug Willmore, Salt Lake County's chief administrative officer, said state officials told his health department ''not to expect 100 percent reimbursement.'' The county spent $700,000, including money owed firefighters deployed to hurricane-ravaged areas, Willmore said.

Some agencies have been told to expect a return of a third of their costs.

Of the $157,380 that Workforce Services employees donated in volunteer time and associated costs, only $56,042.63 will likely come back, said spokesman Curt Stewart.

Few agencies are complaining, however, and most say they'll be able to absorb the losses.

"Even if we'd known ahead of time we weren't going to be reimbursed, my guess is [Salt Lake County] Mayor [Peter] Corroon would have made same decision. This is something you do to help fellow citizens," said Willmore.

kstewart@sltrib.com

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