There is less than a week for Sandy victims to apply for federal disaster loans with the Small Business Administration.

Homes in Toms River damaged by Sandy
Homes in Toms River damaged by Sandy (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
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Dr. Barbara Berry is with the SBA in Tinton Falls, and she is encouraging everyone, whether you're a home or business owner, renter or non-profit, to still apply for a low-interest rate loan before the April 1 deadline.  It is expected to be the last extension given to those affected by Hurricane Sandy.

SBA has approved about $640 million for home and business owners in Ocean, Monmouth, and Atlantic counties, and they've only received a fraction of the forms they distributed.

Anyone who thinks it’s just as well to go straight to a lender without SBA involvement will not get the same rates or support.  Berry says the SBA interest rates start as low as 1.66% for up to 30 years.

You can apply online at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela or visit an SBA disaster loan outreach center, and they can help you with the loan application process.

FEMA storm relief centers will close at the deadline and convert to SBA loan centers.  To find a center near you, call SBA Customer Service at 1-800-659-2955.  If you're a business owner, there are 11 SBA loan centers offering financial and marketing plans to help get your business up and running again.  Just call 973-353-1927 to find the center closest to you.

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