Hebrew Free Loan Society (HFLS)
For information about eligibility and how to apply, or visit the HFLS website.
We all need a little financial help sometimes.
That’s why the nonprofit Hebrew Free Loan Society (HFLS) offers 0%-interest, no-fee loans for low- and moderate-income residents of New York City, Westchester, and Long Island, regardless of their religion, immigration status, or credit score.
IDG has partnered with HFLS to ensure our members have access to their General Needs Loans of up to $9,000, which can be used to meet any purpose or need you might have.
HFLS provides this assistance as a nonprofit organization, promoting financial stability by offering safe, affordable credit options without religious, immigration, or credit score-based restrictions.
About HFLS and Its Mission
HFLS is a nonprofit lender, raising funds from donations to provide loans without charging interest or fees. Founded on a guarantor model, HFLS maintains a high repayment rate of about 99%, which allows it to continue recycling loan funds back into the community to serve more people over time. HFLS loans are open to a broad demographic, including non-U.S. citizens and undocumented individuals, and they do not require applicants to disclose religious affiliations. Applicants are eligible regardless of background, income source, or credit history.
General Needs Loans: Features and Purpose
HFLS General Needs Loans are intended for personal or financial needs. These interest-free loans of up to $9,000 are available to eligible residents and can help cover any household expenses or unexpected costs that borrowers cannot meet with their existing resources. By providing 0% interest loans, HFLS aims to support low- to moderate-income residents who may otherwise struggle with high-interest credit options. The loans also come without additional fees.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for a General Needs Loan, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Residency: Live within New York City’s five boroughs, Westchester, or Long Island.
- Income: The borrower must be able to make monthly loan payments and their (estimated) household income must be below a set limit based on household size.
- Guarantor Requirement: Provide a guarantor – a family member, friend, neighbour, colleague, or someone else from your life who agrees to take responsibility for an HFLS loan should the borrower be unable to repay their loan during the loan term. A guarantor is required for every loan at HFLS.
Guarantors must:
- Live in NY, NJ, or CT and be a permanent resident or citizen of the U.S.
- (Clear, color copies of a US government-issued ID for each guarantor that confirms the guarantor’s citizenship or permanent resident status.)
- Have annual pre-tax household income of at least $30,000.
- Have good credit. (HFLS pulls guarantors’ credit reports to review their recent payment history; we do not review credit scores.)
NOTE: An applicant’s or guarantor’s spouse or partner is considered the co-applicant or co-guarantor. The application and guarantor forms require information about spouses/partners, and they must sign the loan closing paperwork.
For households, HFLS considers a married or partnered couple as a single applicant or guarantor, requiring both parties to sign necessary documentation.
Repayment Terms
Repayment is structured to be manageable and predictable, with fixed monthly payments depending on the loan amount:
- For loans of $5,000 or less: $250 per month over 20 months.
- For loans exceeding $5,000 (up to $7,500): $300 per month over 25 months.
- For loans exceeding $7,500 (up to $9,000): $325 per month for 28 months.
Borrowers can choose between two automatic payment dates, the 5th or the 20th of each month. Repayments begin the month after the loan is received. If borrowers encounter financial difficulties, HFLS encourages them to reach out proactively to discuss potential adjustments, like temporary reductions in payment amounts.
Application Process and Requirements
- Create an HFLS Portal Account
Click the application link and complete a brief eligibility questionnaire. The system will then check whether you already have an HFLS Portal account.
- If you already have an account: Log in using your existing credentials.
- If you do not have an account: Create one using your full name and email address.
Once you’re logged in, you’ll be taken directly to the HFLS General Needs–Independent Drivers Guild Loan Application.
- Before You Begin, Have the Following Ready
- Annual pre-tax income
- Start date at your current job
- Social Security Number (or enter all zeros if you do not have one)
- Government-issued photo ID
- Your guarantor’s full name and email address
- A smartphone (required for identity verification)
Note: If you are an IDG-affiliated driver, we recommend listing “Driver” as your occupation and your rideshare company as your employer.
- Complete Your Loan Application and Add your Guarantor
Fill out the online application with your personal, employment, and financial information.
After you complete your portion of the loan application, you will enter your guarantor’s full name and email address. Your guarantor will automatically receive an email from HFLS with instructions to complete their online guarantor form and identity verification.
- Verify Your Identity and Bank Account
After submitting your application, complete the following steps in the HFLS Portal:
Identity Verification (ID-Pal)
HFLS uses ID-Pal to securely verify your identity. You will need to provide:
- Full name, date of birth, phone number, Social Security Number (if applicable), and address
- A photo of your government-issued ID
- A live selfie
Accepted IDs for applicants
- Driver’s license
- Non-driver ID
- Passport
- Passport card
- Green card
Accepted IDs for Guarantors
- Passport
- Passport card
- Green card
Bank Account Verification (Plaid)
HFLS uses Plaid to securely verify your checking account. You’ll be asked to:
- Select your bank
- Log in using your online banking credentials
HFLS can only view:
- Recent transaction history
- Account holder information
- Routing and account numbers needed for loan disbursement and repayment setup
HFLS cannot see your online banking username or password and cannot access your account.
- Your Guarantor Must Complete Their Portion
Your guarantor will receive an email from HFLS asking them to:
- Complete the online guarantor form
- Complete identity verification through ID-Pal
Your application cannot move forward until all guarantor requirements have been completed.
Important Notes
- HFLS approves only one loan per household. If you are married or partnered, your spouse or partner is considered your co-applicant.
- If your guarantor is married or partnered, their spouse is considered a co-guarantor.
Support for Non-English Speakers
Currently, the application is available only in English, but HFLS has staff fluent in Russian, Spanish, and Hebrew to assist applicants. HFLS also welcomes applicants to seek help from friends or relatives with language barriers or during the loan interview.
Application Review and Loan Interview
After the applicant and guarantor complete all of the required application steps (outlined above), a Loan Officer will review the application and contact the applicant for a brief phone interview. Given HFLS’s high volume of applications, it may take a week or more to receive a response. During the interview, applicants may discuss their financial situation and any unique circumstances affecting their need for the loan.
Once the interview and document verification are complete, HFLS provides an email notification about the loan decision. Approved applicants receive instructions for electronically signing the loan agreement, which includes:
- Promissory Note: Signed by the borrower, guarantor, and spouses, if applicable.
- Authorization for Automatic Payments: Allows HFLS to set up monthly withdrawals from the borrower’s checking account.
After signing the necessary paperwork, HFLS deposits the loan funds directly into the applicant’s account within two business days.
Please also see here the Application Checklist, available in English, Spanish, and Russian.
Contact Information for Support
HFLS can be reached by email at Loan@HFLS.org. Loan Officers primarily work remotely, so applicants are advised to leave a voicemail if needed.
Through this loan program, HFLS and IDG are committed to offering supportive, interest-free financial resources for drivers and others in the New York City area, emphasizing fairness, inclusivity, and financial empowerment. For more information, visit the HFLS website.
