EMERGENCY RELIEF

Our Emergency Relief program is an holistic program providing emergency relief, material aid and financial literacy education.

The No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) is a national community based program that enables people living on low incomes to access fair and safe credit, up to $1200, to buy essential goods and services.

 How does NILS work?

NILS is developed by community for community - known as circular community credit, a demonstration of communities taking action to address their local needs. The NILS loan process helps to develop financial literacy, strengthen money management skills and build assets. 

 What are the loans for?

Essential goods and services, which may include household items like fridges, washing machines, stoves, dryers, freezers and furniture, some medical and dental services, education essentials such as computers and text books, and vehicle repairs.  NILS cannot be used to pay rent arrears, bond, debt consolidation, holidays or bills.

Do you qualify for NILS?

To qualify, you must:

 ▶︎ be in receipt of a Centrelink payment, or hold a Centrelink Health Care Card

▶︎ have resided at your current address for at least 6 months

▶︎ live within the Douglas Shire

▶︎ and, have the financial capacity to repay the loan

Our NILS program is coordinated by Megan Blacklow, with loans provided for essential goods and services such as car repairs, household items, health or educational needs to a maximum value of $1200.  More than $970,000 has been loaned throughout the Douglas Shire since the program commenced in February 2009.

  contact nils@pdnc.org.au