A month after Hurricane Sandy's devastation, the SBA said it hasapproved more than $150 million in disaster loans to nearly 2,500homeowners, renters and businesses in New York, New Jersey,Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Through Thursday, the precise total was $156.56 million to 2,507residents and businesses, the SBA said.

The agency said it has 377 employees working to assist Hurricane Sandy survivors in 113 disaster recovery and businessrecovery centers in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and RhodeIsland.

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Meanwhile, SBA Small Business Development Centers are alsoavailable to help business owners complete loan applications, andgive advice on how to rebuild and grow in the aftermath of thedisaster, according to the SBA.

There are several ways persons impacted by the storm can applyfor the SBA's disaster loans including applying online orreceiving an application by mail.

The SBA said the filingdeadline for physical property damage is Dec. 31 for New York, NewJersey and Connecticut.

The economic injury disaster loan application deadline is July31, 2013.

The physical deadline for Rhode Island is Jan. 15, 2013 and theeconomic injury disaster loan deadline is Aug. 14, 2013.

“During the past month I've visited disaster centers and spokenwith people who are struggling to reclaim communities andbusinesses that were devastated by Hurricane Sandy, and I wasimpressed by their determination to rebuild stronger,” said SBAAdministrator Karen Mills.

As of Nov. 28, credit unions raised more than $230,000 to helpthose affected by Hurricane Sandy, according to the National Credit Union Foundation.