Broward and Miami-Dade counties have been added to the list of those eligible for federal disaster loans due to losses from the BP oil spill. Under the program, the Small Business Administration is offering working capital loans up to $2 million at 3 percent interest for nonprofit organizations and 4 percent for businesses with terms up to 30 years.

The loans may be used by small businesses to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can't be paid because of the disaster's impact. SBA encourages businesses to also file claims with BP, and borrowers may be required to use any claim payments to help repay the disaster loans.

For information and application, small-business owners should visit a Business Recovery Center in their county or contact SBA's Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955.

The deadline to return economic injury applications is Feb. 14, 2011.

Eligible small businesses include those engaged in fishing, shrimping, crabbing and oyster fishing in the affected waters, but employees or crew members are not eligible. Other eligible small businesses include those dependent on the catching or sale of shrimp, crabs and oysters, suppliers of fishing gear and fuel; docks, boatyards, processors, wholesalers, shippers, retailers and other small businesses dependent on revenue from fishing, recreational and sports fishing and coastal small businesses.