An October 15th deadline looms for people who suffered property damage in June's floods to apply to the Small Business Administration for help. So far fewer than 300 people have applied. Even a rejected application is important: getting turned down by the federal agency is a step toward qualifying for state aid.

While the state and federal bureaucracies slowly creep toward getting financial help to flood victims, a group of volunteers in the Duluth area is taking a do-it-yourself approach. Volunteers organizing a recovery fund for flood victims have raised $1 million. They say loan centers opening soon around the region will help residents who qualify get loans of up to $200,000.

So far, the Small Business Administration says nearly 50 people have gotten loans totaling $782,000. Close to 400 people have picked up paperwork to apply for a loan, but only half have completed the process.

A new $500,000 grant is coming to the Duluth area to help residents still struggling to recover from damage from the June flood. The Duluth News Tribune reports the money comes from the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation of Eden Prairie, Minn

The Federal Emergency Management Agency denied an appeal Friday from Gov. Mark Dayton for aid for individuals and businesses affected by floods in northeastern Minnesota in June. Dayton said he was "disappointed" by FEMA's ruling and that he'll ask the state legislature for an estimated $7.4 million in assistance in an upcoming special session.

Applications are now available for low income families that need help taking care of their heating bills. The program runs from October through May.