Storm Damage Loans
Loans to help cover expenses related to damage caused by Hurricane Ida.
Loans to help cover expenses related to damage caused by Hurricane Ida.
In the wake of Hurricane Ida, HFLS is offering three types of Storm Damage Loans to help low- and moderate-income residents of New York City’s five boroughs, Westchester, or Long Island cover expenses related to storm damage, including repairs and renovations, extensive cleanup and mold remediation, replacement of personal belongings and household essentials, and temporary relocation.
Before applying for any type of HFLS Storm Damage Loan, you should first determine whether you are eligible for individual assistance through FEMA and how much assistance you are eligible to receive. Not applying for FEMA aid OR applying for FEMA aid after receiving an HFLS loan could result in a loss of free financial support that you would not have to pay back.
Learn more about and apply for FEMA individual assistance by clicking here or calling 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362).
All loans have a three-month grace period before repayments begin. Repayments will be made on either the 5th or the 20th of each month; borrowers select their preference before HFLS disburses the loan. All loan repayments are made by electronic debit of a checking account.
Information about eligibility, guarantors, required documents, and more appears below. Please read this information in full before applying for a Storm Damage Loan.
All loan applicants must have an annual pre-tax household income of no more than the amount listed for their household size in the chart below. If your annual pre-tax household income is slightly above the limit in the chart below, please contact Loan@HFLS.org to speak with a Loan Officer about your specific situation; you may still qualify for an HFLS loan.
Guarantors must complete and sign a Guarantor Form. A married couple is considered one guarantor. If a guarantor is married, his or her spouse 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:
Even if they meet the requirements above, the following people may not guarantee a loan:
The information and documents below are required for a Storm Damage Loan. Once you have completed all of the below, email Loan@HFLS.org or call (212) 687-0188 to schedule a 15-minute loan interview with an HFLS Loan Officer, which will be conducted via phone or video call (Zoom). Please submit the required documents listed below to HFLS prior to your interview, either by uploading them with your online application or emailing them to Loan@HFLS.org.
From the borrower:
From the guarantors:
Failure to submit these documents will delay the processing of your application.
Once you have completed the above, email Loan@HFLS.org or call (212) 687-0188 to schedule a 15-minute loan interview with an HFLS Loan Officer, which will be conducted by phone or video call (Zoom). Loan interviews must be scheduled in advance.
Please submit the documents listed above to HFLS prior to your loan interview to avoid delays in processing your application. During the interview, an HFLS Loan Officer will review your application and other required documents with you, determine whether any additional information is needed, and answer any questions you have.
HFLS reviews and decides on loan applications weekly. 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.
You will receive an email within one week of your loan interview informing you of the loan 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 that contains instructions to electronically complete and sign the loan closing paperwork through DocuSign. The final loan paperwork includes:
Once HFLS receives the signed documents above, we will disburse your loan funds directly into your checking account within three business days. (Please note that it may take a few days after the disbursement for the loan funds to appear in your checking account.)