What is NILS?
The Pine Rivers Neighbourhood Centre’s No Interest Loans Scheme provides interest-free loans for individuals or families on low income. It’s a community-based program that enables people to access fair, safe and equitable credit for the purchase of goods and services.

What can the loan be for?
A No Interest Loan is generally for the purchase of essential household items like a fridge, washing machine, TV, bed, home security or clothes dryer. A No Interest Loan may also be provided to meet other essential needs like health aids or education costs. Generally a No Interest Loan is not for emergency relief, bond or rent money, living expenses or debt repayments.

Am I eligible?
To access a No Interest Loan, you must have a low income. Evidence of low income is usually a health care or pension card. Loans are also offered to singles earning below $30000 per year, couples earning below $50000 per year, and singles/couples with a child earning below $52000 per year (each additional child $2210 per year).

How much can I borrow?
Loans are usually between $200 and $1200 and the repayment period is usually around 12 to 18 months.

Are there any fees or charges?
There are no fees, charges or penalty payments when taking out a No Interest Loan.
I am interested in applying for a No Interest Loan – what do I do?

I am interested in applying for a No Interest Loan – what do I do?
Step 1- Check your eligibility
1. I receive a Centrelink payment as my main source of income Yes ¨ No ¨
2. I have a Health Care Card or a Pension Card or I can prove I am on a low income Yes ¨ No ¨
3. I am over 18 years of age Yes ¨ No ¨
4. I live in one of the following Pine Rivers suburbs: Yes ¨ No ¨
Strathpine, Lawnton, Joyner, Petrie, Bray Park, Kallangur, Cashmere, Warner, Brendale, Kurwongba, Dakabin, North Lakes, Mango Hill, Murrumba Downs, Griffin.
5. I have lived in my current (or last residence) for at least 6 months Yes ¨ No ¨
6. I can afford to repay the loan Yes ¨ No ¨
If you have indicated “yes” to each of the 6 questions above, you are eligible to apply for a No Interest Loan.

Step 2 – Contact PRNC’s No Interest Loans team
If after reading this information you wish to apply for a No Interest Loan, you must call the Pine Rivers Neighbourhood Centre and make an appointment to speak with someone from our NILS team. The number to call is: 3205 2955 or email nils@prnc.org.au

Step 3 – Prepare for the appointment
Please bring the following information/documents to the appointment:
Personal Documents:
• A statement of your income from Centrelink. This can be obtained by contacting Centrelink and having your statement sent or faxed to you. If you have access to the internet, you may also be able to obtain this via your own personal Centrelink account (requires username and password).
• Your current Health Care Card or Pension Card
• Pay slips from any casual or part-time work
• Most recent bank statement
Motor vehicle registration papers or Gas/Electricity/Phone Account
• Copy of your lease showing the length of stay at your current address
• Drivers License or photo ID.

Household Bills
• Details of usual fortnightly expenses
• Rent receipt or statement of rental payments or mortgage statement
• Most recent Electricity and Gas Account (if applicable)
• Most recent Water Account
• Most recent Telephone Account including Mobile phone/Internet where applicable
• Most recent Credit Card Statement
• Statements detailing any other loans or debts

What will happen at my No Interest Loans appointment?
Your No Interest Loans appointment at PRNC will cover a range of issues to help you and PRNC make sure a No Interest Loan is the best thing for your situation. We will complete a fortnightly budget to work out a plan to reach your financial goals to see if you can afford to repay the loan. If a No Interest Loan isn’t the best option for you, we may be able to assist in other ways. If a No Interest Loan does suit your situation, the following steps are taken:
1. A No Interest Loan application form is completed
2. You will be asked to get two quotes for the thing/s you want to buy with the loan

I have filled out a loan application and I have got quotes…what next?
Step 1 – The NILS Loans Committee
The loan application, your budget and quotes are taken to the NILS Loans Committee who will make a decision whether or not to approve the loan. Your personal details such as your name will not be provided to the NILS Loans Committee.
Step 2 – You will be contacted
The NILS team will contact you to let you know if your loan was approved. If your loan has been approved, another appointment will be made to meet with you to:
1. Fill in a loan agreement about how much money you will repay each fortnight
2. Organize cheque/s
3. Fill in a Centrepay form
If your loan was not approved, you will be notified about the reasons why. We will offer information about alternative ways to access financial assistance or obtain the goods you require.

If I proceed with the loan, what are my rights and responsibilities?

You have a right to:
• Be treated fairly and with respect regardless of your personal circumstances or beliefs
• Be informed about the schemes eligibility criteria
• Be informed about loan decision making processes
• Receive support, mentoring and financial education
• Be informed about the Terms and Conditions of the loan
• Know how information about you is recorded and who will have access to your information
• Make a complaint and have the complaint dealt with fairly and promptly without retribution
• Access your personal file after the Pine Rivers NILS® Committee has received a request in writing.

Your responsibilities are to:
• Act in a manner that respects the rights of other applicants and employees of the agency
• Ensure all information provided for the purpose of the loan enquiry and interview is true and correct and that no false or misleading information is given at any time.
• Make regular repayments as state in your contract
• Advise Pine Rivers NILS® if you are experiencing difficulties making your repayments
• Advise Pine Rivers NILS® if you need a replacement repayment book
• Advise Pine Rivers NILS® if Centrepay is no longer available to you due to changes in your circumstances
• Arrange to obtain a repayment book if Centrepay is no longer available to you
• Advise Pine Rivers NILS® if you change your address or telephone number.

Frequently Asked Questions

• I need a loan in a hurry, how long will it take to get the money?
PRNC’s No Interest Loan Scheme isn’t just another form of credit, rather it is a way to work with people on low incomes to better manage their financial situation. We need to be careful that we provide loans to people who can make the repayments as this will enable us to make loans to other people who require a No Interest Loan. We have a detailed process that requires both PRNC and the loan applicant to work together and as everybody’s circumstances are different the time it takes will also vary. Once an application has been lodged, and if approved, it is possible that loan funds could be available within a week.

• How much will my fortnightly repayments be?
Fortnightly repayment generally range from $20 – $40

• I need money now – should I take out a loan from a “Same Day Lender”?
If you are on a low income you need to be very cautious about taking out a loan from a “Same Day Lender” (also called “Pay Day Lenders”). The interest rates can be very high and fees and charges can also be very high. Some “Same Day Lenders” have very high penalties if you miss payments. So while you may solve a financial situation in the short term, over time you could find yourself in greater financial hardship.

• I am in real financial hardship what can I do?
You may be eligible for emergency relief. The Pine Rivers Neighbourhood Centre has an “Intake and Response” department that may be able to assist you. Alternatively you can call Lifeline’s Financial First Aid hotline on 1300 370 255.

• Can I take out another No Interest Loan?
Once you have repaid one loan, you are eligible to apply for another loan and participate in the AddsUP Savings Scheme.

The Pine Rivers Neighbourhood Centre is accredited to run the No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS™) by the Good Shephed Youth and Family Services

Fact Sheet NILS

Link to: http://www.nab.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/nab/nab/home/About_Us/4/3/3/

Useful Links
If you are not eligible for a NILS® loan or have other credit and debt issues, contact the Credit and Debt Hotline on 1800 808 488 for help and assistance. There may be other options available, such as talking to a free and confidential financial counsellor to get your finances sorted.

Financial Counsellors
Lifeline Financial First Aid 1300 370 255
Lifeline Financial Counselling, Chermside: 3624 2400.
Lifeline Financial Counselling, Caboolture: 5428 4200.

Financial Help Websites:
Money Smart: www.moneysmart.gov.au
Christians Against Poverty Australia www.capaust.org

Government Financial Assistance
Centrelink:
http://www.centrelink.gov.au
Family Assistance Office: http://www.familyassist.gov.au