Application Deadline for El Nino Aid Is Today

Los Angeles County residents and business owners who sustained damage in El Nino-related storms have until 6 p.m. today to file an application for federal disaster assistance, officials said Thursday.

Applicants may qualify for assistance under several federal and state relief programs, said Michael Lowder, a federal coordinating officer with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Residents can apply for FEMA grants for minimal repairs not covered by insurance as well as for grants to cover essential medical, funeral, transportation and personal property needs not covered by insurance or other aid programs, Lowder said.

U.S. Small Business Administration loans of up to $200,000 are available to homeowners for real estate repairs, Lowder said. Additionally, homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 for personal property losses.

Businesses of all sizes and nonprofit organizations can apply for SBA loans of up to $1.5 million, Lowder said. The money must be used to pay for repairs or replacement of real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory and other business assets. Small businesses can apply for loans specifically set aside for them.

U.S. Department of Agriculture loans of up to $500,000 are available to farmers and ranchers to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residences, Lowder said. The deadline for that program is not until Oct. 9.

To apply for disaster assistance, residents and business owners can call (800) 462-9029 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. today, Lowder said. Hearing- or speech-impaired people can call the TTY registration line at (800) 462-7585.

President Clinton declared 40 counties throughout California disaster areas on Feb 9.

Since then, 72,289 storm victims statewide have applied for federal and state disaster assistance, and more than $21 million in grants and $37 million in loans have been issued, said Eugene Brezany, a spokesman for the governor’s office of emergency services.