General Needs Loans

One guarantor is required for all General Needs Loans, and the guarantor must complete and sign a Guarantor Form. A married couple is considered one guarantor. If a guarantor is married or partnered, his or her spouse/partner must also complete and sign the Guarantor Form.  

The guarantor and their spouse are liable for the loan in the event a borrower is unable to pay for any reason.

Guarantors must meet the following criteria:

• US citizens or permanent residents currently living in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut
• Have a checking account, good credit, and annual pre-tax household income of at least $30,000 a year
• Currently employed (HFLS prefers persons who have worked at least one year in their present position), or if retired, can demonstrate their ability to repay through pension/retirement income or assets.

Even if they meet the requirements above, the following people may not guarantee a loan:

• You, your spouse, or your dependents
• Persons who currently have an outstanding HFLS loan or are a guarantor on an outstanding HFLS loan
• Persons who are financially unable to repay the loan

The information and documents below are required for a General Needs Loan.

From the borrower:

• Online Loan Application submitted by the applicant and including information for their spouse or partner, if relevant.
• Copies of government-issued photo IDs that include signatures and serve as proof of address for the applicant and their spouse or partner, if relevant (e.g. a driver’s license). If the driver’s license does not include the applicant’s current address, HFLS may require other documentation as proof of residency.
• The applicant’s most recent checking account statement (all pages), which must include the applicant’s name, bank name, checking account number, and routing number. If the routing number does not appear on the statement, the applicant may submit it separately.

From the guarantors:

• Online Guarantor Form submitted by the guarantor and including information for their spouse or partner, if relevant. The guarantor will receive an email including a unique link to an online Guarantor Form after the applicant submits their application.
• Copies of government-issued photo IDs for the guarantors (and their spouses or partners, if relevant), e.g. a driver’s license or U.S. passport. HFLS may ask for proof of address if the ID does not provide it.

HFLS reviews and decides on loan applications daily. If we have questions about your application or guarantor, you may receive a call or email from a Loan Officer asking for further information before HFLS will make its decision.

HFLS, in its discretion, may decline to make a loan, make a loan in an amount less than that requested, or require different or additional guarantors.

If your loan is approved, you will receive an email with loan closing documents for you to complete and sign electronically via DocuSign. The loan closing paperwork includes:

• A Promissory Note, to be signed by the borrower, guarantor, and all spouses/partners
• An Authorization of Automatic Payments (ACH) form, so the loan funds can be transferred directly into your checking account and so HFLS can withdraw monthly loan repayments directly from your checking account.