The head of the $20 billion oil spill compensation fund says individuals filing claims will soon begin receiving six-month emergency checks instead of monthly payments.

Appearing in Pensacola Beach on Monday, fund administrator Kenneth Feinberg said the company will start paying individuals in six-month payments in the next couple of weeks.

Feinberg also said there's no reason for individuals affected by the massive Gulf of Mexico spill to file lawsuits — at least not yet.

Feinberg urged claimants to see how much he'd be able to pay them for before suing.