Newcastle No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS) is a good work of the St Vincent de Paul Society which provides eligible low income individuals and families with the opportunity to purchase essential household items such as white goods, furniture, appliances, while avoiding the added cost of interest.
The loans can be up to $1200 and are designed to enable people on government benefits, pensions or health card holders to buy necessities such as refrigerators and washing machines. Depending on the borrower's ability to pay, the term can be between 12 and 18 months.
Those interested should contact the NILS Coordinator to discuss the conditions that apply and the possibility of then having a confidential interview. Repayments are negotiated at the time of the loan.
A Centrelink card is the base eligibility requirement for applicants for a NILS loan.
