Help available for Tropical Storm Irene victims

Uncle Sam is offering help to homeowners and small-business owners struggling to recover after the summer storms.

The Small Business Administration has low-interest loans for people trying to rebuild and cover uninsured losses from Tropical Storm Irene and related flooding. The interest rates start at 2.5 percent for a 30-year loan for homeowners and renters, 3 percent for nonprofits, and 4 percent for businesses.

People may borrow up to $200,000 for homes, $40,000 for personal property and up to $2 million for businesses and nonprofits. If you have insurance, you might still be eligible for losses not covered by your insurance policy, according to the SBA.

Nor do you have to wait for an insurance settlement before applying for a SBA loan. Call 800-621-FEMA (3362) for more information on the loans.

There are also 22 federal and state Disaster Recovery Centers located throughout New York State, including in Uniondale at the Mitchel Athletic Complex on Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, in Hauppauge at the Denison Building on Veterans Memorial Highway, and at the Riverhead Fire Department headquarters on Roanoke Avenue.

Disaster-recovery specialists are available at these centers and can provide information about assistance.