BP says it has paid $256 million for profits and income lost because of Gulf spill

BP’s Gulf damage payments up to $256 million

NEW ORLEANS — BP says it has paid $256 million to people who have lost income or profits because of the massive Gulf oil spill. That includes $30 million over the past week.

The company says it will start sending at least another $60 million in advance money to cover August payments by the end of the week.

BP PLC says fishermen have received $39 million, shrimpers have received $23 million and oyster harvesters have been paid $8 million. Charter boat owners have received $6 million.

Another $117 million has gone to workers and businesses in a variety of fields, including deck hands and seafood processing workers.

BP says it has received 133,000 claims and has issued about 83,000 checks.