Flood aid deadline arrives

Aug 11, 2008 (The Tribune - McClatchy-Tribune News Service via COMTEX) -- SBCO | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Aug. 11--Jackson County residents affected by the June 8 flooding face a deadline today to apply for federal assistance.

Residents must file today with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration for physical damage to homes, personal property and businesses.

If a person files with FEMA and gets turned down, they can then go to SBA. If they are turned down by SBA, they are referred back to FEMA for any possible further assistance available.

During a visit in Medora last week, Andy Miller, Gov. Mitch Daniels' director of disaster recovery, said there are state and federal funds available to buy homes or help mitigate and raise them up.

Alana Chavez, communications specialist with SBA, said people should act today to apply for low-interest rate loans. These are available for businesses, homeowners, renters, landlords and nonprofits affected by flooding.

"I encourage everybody to get applications in for physical damages to SBA," Chavez said. "You don't have to wait until insurance is settled. You don't have to wait for any other compensations."

"Funds are available for relocation and refinancing their mortgages in certain instances," Chavez added.

Individual homeowners can get up to $200,000 for damage to a structure with interest rates as low as 2.687 percent. Individual homeowners and renters can also get up to an additional $40,000 to repair or replace personal property, including vehicles.

Landlords, businesses and nonprofits can borrow up to $2 million, based on what was lost. Interest rates are as low as 4 percent.

Seeking help

The deadline to register for FEMA or SBA assistance, including physical damage to homes, personal property and businesses, is today

For information, contact SBA at (800) 659-2955 or go to sba.gov

For FEMA, call (800) 621-3362

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