WASHINGTON — During another tour of flood-damaged areas in Iowa,the Small Business Administration said it has increased benefits tovictims including immediate access to loans of up to $14,000without collateral and a $500,000 increase in the disaster loan capto businesses.

Eligible borrowers may now take out a $14,000 loan withoutcollateral, up from the previous $10,000 unsecured loan limit,according to SBA. The disaster loan cap for businesses hasincreased from $1.5 million to $2 million. Economic Injury Disasterloans now include private, non-profit organizations of all sizes.Borrowers are also not required to make a supplemental payment forthe first five years after repayment begins.

The changes, which were recently signed into law under the SmallBusiness Disaster Response and Loan Improvement Act of the 2008Farm Bill, have officially been implemented by the SBA this week,the agency said.