HONOLULU—Homeowners, renters, and business owners whose property was damaged by the Dec. 10-16 severe storms and flooding have two weeks left to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for disaster recovery assistance.

Individuals or businesses may be eligible for assistance for damages to homes or businesses that suffered amages, according to a FEMA news release

The deadline to register is 6 p.m. HST Friday, March 6, 2009, by calling FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech or hearing impaired.

Hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily HST. Online registration is also available until midnight HST March 6 at www.disasterassistance.gov .

Anyone who has already registered and received a disaster loan application from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) must complete and submit those forms by the March 6 deadline to become eligible for other possible disaster assistance, according to the news release.

SBA offers low-interest federal disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private, nonprofit organizations to repair or replace property damaged or destroyed by the disaster.

SBA disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

However, if SBA determines a renter or homeowner is not eligible for a low-interest disaster loan, SBA will refer the applicant back to FEMA for consideration for grant assistance, the news release said.

Businesses of any size and private non-profit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

SBA loan information and application forms will be available through March 6, 2009 by calling SBA's Customer Service Center toll-free number 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov , or visiting SBA's Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Speech or hearing impaired individuals may call TTY 800-877-8339.

More information about SBA loan programs is available at 800-659-2955 or online at www.sba.gov.

SBA loan applicants can also apply online through March 6, 2009 by using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA's secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.