Sandy Loan Deadline Extended

   The Federal Emergency Management Agency has extended to Jan. 28 the deadline for individuals to apply for financial assistance with physical losses due to Hurricane Sandy.

    On Long Island, the extension is open to people living in Suffolk, Nassau, and Queens. It is also open to those on Staten Island, in the Bronx, and in Kings, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester Counties. Registration is online at disasterassistance. gov or by phone at 800-621-3362.

    Loans are available for rent, essential home repairs, and property losses that are not otherwise covered by insurance. Some business losses and those to nonprofits and civic or religious organizations are also eligible for assistance. The interest rate for loans to individuals is 1.68 percent for those without an alternative source of credit. Loans are capped at $200,000 for repairs, $40,000 for personal property.

    The Small Business Administration’s July 31 application deadline for those seeking low-cost loans of up to $2 million to cope with economic losses is unchanged. The interest rate for S.B.A. loans is 4 percent; nonprofits are eligible for a 3-percent rate. Information is available online at disasterloan.sba.gov.