SPANISH FORT, Ala. — As the oil spill claims process changed hands Monday from BP PLC to independent claims czar Kenneth Feinberg’s Gulf Coast Claims Facility, some local residents began the arduous task of seeking compensation—again.

Leslie Collier of Spanish Fort never considered herself a skeptic, but almost four months of helping her Gulf Shores parents navigate the BP-led claims process have done more than try her patience.

“I have completely lost faith in humanity. I’m watching two people who were already going to work until the day they died fight tooth-and-nail to get what should have been theirs all along,” said Collier, a part-time accountant attempting to help her restaurant supplier parents recoup lost income associated with the oil spill.

Although the transition ensures her parents will not be required to submit new documentation substantiating their claim, Collier said it is difficult for them to not feel like they are back at square one.

In a Sunday conference call with reporters, Feinberg said all 154,000

 individual and business claims and supporting documentation have been transferred from BP to the claims facility, established in June to assist claimants seeking compensation associated with the April 20 explosion and sinking of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig off the coast of Louisiana.

Because claims already filed via the BP claims process have transitioned to the new claims facility, however, Feinberg said all claimants must file new forms with his independent operation for the requests to be reviewed and evaluated before final determinations are made.

Feinberg said he wants to reassure Gulf Coast residents that the independent claims facility was created solely to protect the livelihoods of those affected by the spill.

“Now that the claim centers are open and ready for business, the goal will be to get the emergency six-month payment checks out the door, within 48 hours for individuals, after receipt of the claim form and sufficient supporting documentation and no more than seven days for businesses, after receipt of claim form and supporting documentation, and help people on the path to rebuilding their lives,” Feinberg said.