Federal Disaster Relief

Posted: Sunday, 08 July 2007 9:45AM

Tahoe Fire Victims Urged to Apply for Federal Disaster Relief


SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- Tahoe fire victims are lining up to apply for low-interest federal loans to help them get back on their feet after the devastating blaze.

The U.S. government declared El Dorado County a disaster area Thursday, making property owners and renters eligible for low-interest government loans. The 3,100-acre Angora fire destroyed over 250 homes, and 75 other structures.

The Small Business Administration has set up shop at Lake Tahoe Community College.

"What SBA does is offers to homeowners or renters, businesses of any size, as well as private non-profit organizations, low interest loans to repair or replace their damaged property," explained the SBA’s Mark Randal.

In the case of businesses, they don't have to have actual physical damages to qualify for federal assistance. “They may have lost revenue or are having trouble meeting their ongoing working capital needs, because of the effects of the disaster,” Randal said.

Fire victims are being urged to apply as soon as possible. The deadline to apply for property damage relief is September 4, 2007, while the deadline for economic injury is April 7, 2008.