Nearly three months after intense thunderstorms plowed across South Jersey, causing some people to be without electric for a week, financial assistance is now available.

New Jersey residents and businesses affected by severe thunderstorms on June 30th can now apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The disaster declaration that makes these loans possible covers Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Ocean Counties.

According a press release, loans of up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. Businesses and non-profit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

The Small Business Administration has customer service representatives on hand at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center to answer questions about the disaster loan program, explain the process, issue and help individuals complete their applications. The center is located at the Township of Hamilton Town Hall on 13th Street in Mays Landing.

Individuals and businesses unable to visit the Center may also obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is November 20, 2012. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 21, 2013.

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