The No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS®) is designed to help people in NSW living with HIV/AIDS to improve their quality of life through interest-free loans. The scheme is managed by the NILS Committee, which approves each loan on a case-by-case basis. The application process is straightforward and repayments are deducted directly from Centrelink payments.
Loans can be used to purchase essential household items such as a fridge, a television or a washing machine. They can also be used for education and training. They are not provided for cash loans, paying credit card bills or for general living expenses.
We rely on income from the repayment of loans to finance new loans to other clients. When a NILS® is approved, the applicant makes a commitment to repay the full loan within a twelve month period at the agreed fortnightly instalments.
Many NILS® applicants, having successfully discharged their initial loan, are now on their second or third no interest loan. Since 2003, more than one-third of recipients have organised a NILS® loan more than once, enabling people to plan for the future and have greater financial control.
To be eligible for NILS®, you must meet the following criteria:
• HIV positive and a registered BGF client
• on low income and receiving income support from Centrelink
• have combined assets of less than $5,000 (excluding motor vehicles)
• a resident of NSW for at least six months
• able to meet repayments
To apply for a loan, you need to contact your case worker.
You need to provide:
• a loan application form
• a spending plan
• two written quotes from your preferred suppliers (including the supplier’s ABN) for the item you wish to buy
• a recent Centrelink Income Statement
• signed Centrepay form
• consent form for the application to be presented to the NILS® committee
You can download the NILS® forms here or contact us on (02) 9283 8666 if you want them posted to you.
All the information you supply is treated completely confidentially and is subject to the Privacy Act.
Just before Christmas, a client applied for a NILS® loan. This single father of two children had recently split from his partner and had just been granted accommodation by the Department of Housing. He wanted custody of his children for Christmas, but did not yet have a fridge. He was told that without a fridge he could not have custody, yet he did not have enough money to afford one. With the help of his case worker, he applied for and received a NILS® loan for a fridge and freezer. Payments were tailored to start at the end of January, to ensure he had enough money for food and Christmas presents for his children.
A single mother of three children decided that it was time to return to work as her children, aged 13, 16 and 18, were now a lot more independent. She applied for a NILS® loan of $1,000 to complete a Heavy Truck Driving course. NILS® granted a loan of $750, which was boosted by a Positive Futures grant of $250. She successfully passed the course and now has part-time employment. Her repayments are being made by Centrepay, as she is still in receipt of Centrelink Family Benefits because of her youngest daughter. She reports the wonderful feeling of having some extra money coming into the household, as her children have had to do without so many things, such as new clothes, for so long.