No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS)

HISTORY
Great Lakes No Interest Loans Scheme (G L NILS) is modelled on schemes that have been developed by the Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service and have been operating in Australia since 1981.

PURPOSE
G L NILS enables low income residents and families from the Great Lakes area to purchase essential household items to enhance their quality of life, without paying interest on the money borrowed.

GL NILS is an alternative form of credit, not emergency relief, and loans are made to people who can genuinely afford the repayment.

Who can apply?
People who:

• Have lived in the Great Lakes Local Government area for at least six months.
• Are receiving a Centrelink payment or are on a low income, and
• Can afford to repay the loan in fortnightly repayments.

• From $100 up to $1,200
• Loans can be for more than one item.
• Any subsequent loans can only be considered when the existing loan has been fully repaid.
• The provision of subsequent loans will be dependant on the G L NILS capital base and demand for the service.

You Can Access a Loan for...

ESSENTIAL HOUSEHOLD ITEMS Baby Items Lawn Mower Microwave Beds/Mattresses Clothes Dryer Fridge Washing Machine Furniture Heater Hot Water Service Vacuum Cleaner Vehicle Registration Computers Basically anything that will improve your quality of life.

EDUCATION Tafe & Community College Courses HEALTH ITEMS Wheelchair Car hoist Spectacles Dental Asthma pump etc. REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE Television Car Computer Building (Ramps/Locks/Windows) etc.

How do I apply?

Step 1 Fill out an enquiry form (GL NILS Form 1 - You can find this listed below) over the phone or in person at the FNC to ascertain your eligibility and if eligible, an information package will be sent to you.
Step 2 If eligible, applicants are to complete the document checklist (GL NILS Form no 2) that is sent to you in the NILS information package and make an appointment to attend an interview with the Loans Officer.
Step 3 At the interview the Loans Officer and applicant will complete the application form (GL NILS Form 3) and budget sheet (GL NILS Form 4).
Step 4 Applications are assessed by the Loans Committee and applicants are advised in writing of their approval (GL NILS Form 5) as well as if their loan has been declined (G L NILS Form 6).
Step 5 If approved, an interview is arranged to completed the loan agreement (G L NILS Form 7)
Step 6 A second loan application can be submitted upon successful completion of the initial loan.

GL NILS will NOT lend for?

• Bond and rent money
• Rent arrears
• Living expenses such as food
• Gas, electricity or telephone bills

• Cash advances
• Debt repayment and consolidation
• Cheques payable to the loan recipient
• Cheques to a third party for a private sale

G L NILS is not a program that provides emergency relief, but provides access to a service that usually is not accessible to people on low incomes through mainstream avenues.

G L NILS is designed to provide a safe credit resource to those who can meet and manage fortnightly repayments, without entering into further financial hardship.

Free Financial Counselling G L NILS compliments the Forster Neighbourhood Centre's Financial Counselling Service.

The service operates five days per week from the FNC and appointments can be made by contacting Maxine or Noel on 6555 4351.

Applicants Rights and Responsibilities

Rights
People wishing to use GL NILS have the right to expect that Forster Neighbourhood Centre will make every effort to ensure that their rights are upheld. This includes the right to:

• Be treated fairly and with respect regardless of their personal circumstances or beliefs
• Be informed about the schemes eligibility criteria
• Be informed about the loan decision making processes
• Receive the Terms and Conditions of the loan
• Know how information about them is recorded and who will have access to their information
• Make a complaint and have the complaint dealt with fairly and promptly without retribution
• Access their file documents at any time

It is recommended that the NILS applicant be given a copy of their rights and responsibilities at the interview stage.

Responsibilities

• The applicant must act in a manner that respects the rights of other applicants and employees of the agency
• The loan applicant is responsible for ensuring all information provided for the purposes of the loan enquiry and interview are true and correct and that no false or misleading information is given at any time.
• It is the borrower's responsibility to contact the agency if they are unable to make a payment.

For more information contact Forster Neighbourhood Centre on (02) 6555 4351