Financial Hardship Solutions
Financial uncertainty can be debilitating. Added stressors from high-interest-rate loans and reduced or paused income streams can exacerbate an already tough situation. If you are experiencing a hardship, we have solutions to help you and your family weather the storm.
Payday Alternative Loans (PALS)
The convenience of a payday loan might sound appealing, but often, these options leave you in a lurch - paying predatory rates and caught in a cycle of debt. A better option is a low-rate, short-term loan designed to provide quick access to money when you need it, without the detrimental impact of a traditional payday loan.
Skip-a-Pay
If you’re looking for flexibility in your budget, our Skip-a-Pay option can help free up some cash.
To qualify for Skip-a-Pay, the following criteria must be met:
The loan must be open for at least 6 months.
The loan must have no delinquency beyond any applicable grace period, in the past 6 months. If a late fee has been assessed, the loan will not qualify for Skip-a-Pay.
The previous Skip-a-Pay must have been more than 4 months ago.
The minimum payment amount is $50.00.
Loans that are NOT ELIGIBLE include Real Estate Secured Loans, LOC’s, Credit Cards, and Payday Alternative Loans (PAL).
There is a $32 fee per eligible loan skipped. This fee must be available in your account at the time of the Skip-a-Pay request.
Financial Counseling
We offer free financial counseling sessions with our Certified Credit Union Financial Counselors. Let us help you today!
Deferred Loan Payments
If you are impacted by the government shutdown, you may request to defer your loan payment(s) for up to 30 days on the following loan types:
Share and Certificate Loans
Visa Rewards Credit Cards and Young Adult Visa Rewards Credit Cards
Consumer Loans
Lines of Credit
We are unable to grant a deferral on Mortgages (including first mortgage, second mortgage, Home Equity Loans, and Lines of Credit (HELOC)).
To qualify for a deferred payment on an eligible loan and to waive the fee, you must present your furlough letter.
Based on the length of the federal government shutdown, you may request an additional 30-day deferment.
Paycheck Protection Loan
Are you currently employed with the federal government but temporarily on non-pay status because of the furlough? If so, you may qualify for a low-interest loan equal to the amount of your normal payroll deposit to your InFirst Federal Credit Union account, up to $4,000.00 at 3.00% APR.*
To qualify:
You must have an existing bi-weekly direct deposit of at least $500 to your InFirst Share Savings or Checking Account.
You must present a furlough letter and a copy of your most recent pay statement.
*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Rate based on creditworthiness. Payment example: $501.27 per month for every $500.00 borrowed at 3.00% APR. Members may request an additional advance for each direct deposit not received during the furlough. Members must provide a copy of the furlough letter to verify they are directly impacted by the shutdown. Advance(s) must be repaid within 30 days of receipt of the first direct deposit after the furlough to ensure the advance remains at 3.00% APR. If not repaid within 30 days, the interest rate will change to the corresponding credit score interest rate, between 7.74% APR and 11.99% APR, for a maximum term of 90 days. Payment example: $169.76 per month for every $500.00 borrowed at 10.99% APR.