PONTIAC - Victims of the January flooding in Livingston and Iroquois counties still may not have all the information they need to get the help for which they are eligible, but a public meeting may fix that, federal and local officials said Saturday.

For example, many people don't know the U.S. Small Business Administration offers help to homeowners and renters, despite the agency's name.

A town hall meeting is being planned, and details about time and place will be announced Monday, Pontiac Mayor Scott McCoy said. Representatives of the SBA, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Internal Revenue Service and other agencies will be able to answer questions then, he said.

"People don't know what they don't know," he said.

That is true of the assistance offered by the SBA, said Richard Daigle, a spokesman for the federal agency, which offers federal disaster loans.

Despite the agency's name, about 80 percent of the low-interest loans it grants actually are to homeowners and renters, said Daigle, who is based in Atlanta, Ga., and currently stationed in Bloomington.

McCoy agreed. He said at first, he wondered why the agency was visiting people's homes, but then he learned of its services.

"It (the SBA) is an unfamiliar name to homeowners," said McCoy, who encourages those affected by the floods to apply for help from all available resources.

Everyone who applies for a FEMA grant should also apply to SBA, Daigle said. Someone denied an SBA small business loan may be "referred back to FEMA" and get more grant money, Daigle said.

Some people initially think they don't want a loan, but later may wish they had applied once they get a better handle on expenses. One can apply before one knows what insurance will pay, he said.

He also encourages people to visit the Disaster Recovery Center at Pontiac City Hall, which is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week until Saturday. After that it will be open Monday through Saturday while needed.

"Talk to us eye to eye," he said.

Aid covers costs people often don't think of, Daigle said. For example, businesses that had employees or supplies cut off because they couldn't get through the floodwaters suffer "economic injury," he said.

As of Saturday, the SBA issued applications for low-interest disaster loans to 324 homeowners and 84 businesses so far, he said. The deadline for completion is May 6 - 60 days after the federal disaster declaration.

The SBA loans for homeowners and renters can offer rates at low as 2.937 percent; business loans can start at 4 percent, Daigle said.

Residents are not required to visit the center. They can register online at www.fema.gov or by calling (800) 621-FEMA, or (800) 462-7585 for TTY users.

Snow melt and heavy rain Jan. 7 and 8 drove the Vermilion River over its banks. The river crested Jan. 9, and Pontiac city officials say they measured that crest at a record 19.5 feet - about 5 feet above flood stage.

The flood drove hundreds of people from their homes and closed some schools and businesses in Pontiac and Watseka.

An initial request for a presidential disaster declaration was denied on the grounds that local and state resources were sufficient, but federal officials reversed that earlier this month.

---

Fraud alert

State and federal emergency management officials issued a warning Saturday to residents in Livingston and Iroquois counties to watch for disaster-recovery fraud.

"It is an unpleasant reality that disaster recovery efforts can bring out scam artists, price gougers and dishonest operators who try to capitalize on the misfortunes of others," the public statement said.

What to watch out for

- Con artists who make telephone calls impersonating government disaster relief organizations. These scammers will call to solicit contributions and may claim to need personal bank account information.

- Callers or visitors offering to do recovery work. If someone seems suspicious, do not hire them, sign contracts, or give them money. Instead, get as much information as possible and report your suspicion.

Who to call

If you suspect that someone is trying to take advantage of you or the federal government, contact a local law enforcement agency or the attorney general's consumer affairs office in Chicago at (800) 386-5438.

For information about Illinois disaster recovery and protection against fraud visit www.fema.gov, www.state.il.us/iema or www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov.