Boy, are you guys behind.  This was all over talk radio two weeks ago.  Our beloved Congress critters appropriated 6 billion (with a "B") dollars of our money to give to the victims' families.  It is being done with a formula to provide less to some and more to others based upon several factors.  The average is 1.6 million per victim.  The 1.9 billion or so in charitable donations is "over and above" the tax money.  The funny thing is, some of the recipients have already started to piss and moan that it is not near enough.  Incidently, they must forfeit the right to sue the airlines if they accept our money, not that the airlines were in any way negligent.  The weapons used were allowable items, per federal regulations. My opinion, for what it's worth, is the FF and LEO's are the only ones who deserve taxpayer money, if their unions and such do not adequately take care of their families.  I have no idea what is payable to them through pensions, union benefits, group life insurance, social security survivor's benefits, etc.  For sure, losing a loved one should not be the same as winning the lottery. That's what life insurance is for.  Buy some, as our families will not be among the "elite" to die.