Federal assistance is available for Oahu residents and business owners directly affected by mid-December storms.

Those interested must register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov or by phone at (800) 621-FEMA or (800) 462-7585 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.

The schedule and locations of the Disaster Recovery Center on Oahu are slated to be released shortly. Personnel at the centers will be available to answer questions and provide information about applications. Those who plan to go to the center must first register with FEMA.

Meanwhile, low-interest disaster loans are now available for Oahu residents and business owners as a result of the recent federal disaster declaration by President Bush.

Loans of up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners as well as renters are also eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Businesses and nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory and other business assets.

For small businesses and most nonprofit organizations, the Small Business Administration offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.

Interest rates can be as low as 2.68 percent for homeowners and renters and 4 percent for businesses for up to 30 years.

Those interested in disaster loans may call FEMA or the Small Business Administration's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955.

The deadline to file an application is March 6. The deadline to file the Economic Injury Disaster Loan application is Oct. 5.

For agricultural producers, a 3.75 percent interest loan program by the Farm Service Agency is available to farmers on Oahu and Kauai who suffered losses from the storm. Also, the agency has ongoing direct and guaranteed operating and farm ownership that also can aid affected farmers. The deadline to file an application is Sept. 8. For more information, call 441-2704, ext. 103, or go to www.fsa.usda.gov.