Government offers assistance for Fay damages

The federal government is offering disaster loans to homeowners and renters in St. Lucie, Brevard, Hendry, Okeechobee and Volusia counties who suffered losses from Tropical Storm Fay. The government is offering up to $200,000 for damaged real estate and $40,000 for damaged person property, including cars. The loans’ interest rates are as low as 2.875 percent. The deadline to apply is October 27.