Child & Family Services Ways To Work Loan Program
At times, families and individuals face financial challenges in keeping their jobs
or completing their education. Often a small loan can make a big difference. Child
& Family Services Ways To Work Loan program can help.
About Our Program
Child & Family Services Ways To Work Loan Program offers small loans to low-income
families who do not qualify for conventional loans. Our loans are designed to help
you keep your job and/or complete your schooling. By repaying the loan in a timely
fashion, you can establish a sound credit history and be able to access conventional
lines of credit in the future. We also offer educational programs to help you set
and reach your financial goals.
What Level Of Loan Is Available?
Our program provides loans from $500 to $4,000 to be used for the following:
- To purchase a vehicle or make needed repairs;
- To make your security deposit, rent, or mortgage payment or for housing repairs;
- To pay for child care;
- Business loans; or
- To purchase needed equipment such as computers or tools for employment or school,
or necessary appliances for the home.
Who Is Eligible To Apply?
You qualify for a loan if you are:
- A resident of Erie County;
- An involved parent of a dependent child;
- Not eligible for conventional credit or unable to borrow from a bank, savings and
loan, or a credit union;
- Employed at least 20 hours a week for six months or longer at your current job,
or enrolled in a post-secondary education program such as college or trade school
and have completed nine credits in the immediate preceding term and are enrolled
in nine credits the current term; and
- Able to repay the loan.
Loans are available to qualified families regardless of race, color, religion, national
origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status or age.
How Can I Apply?
- Call us and attend an orientation.
- Complete the application and schedule an intake appointment. There is a $20.00 fee
due at time of application/intake. Payment is accepted in the form of a
certified check or money order.
- The program staff will assist with the preparation and update of the application
as information becomes available.
- Your application will be reviewed by a loan committee which will approve loans based
upon the eligibility criteria.
- We'll notify you when a decision is made.
- If your loan is approved, we'll request any additional information needed to finalize
your loan.
- The servicing bank will notify you and arrange payment of your loan.
- Your loan check will be made payable to you and to the auto dealer, school, day
care center or other appropriate vendor.
Child & Family Services Ways To Work Loan Program is an innovative partnership
of state and local government agencies, private foundations, family service organizations
and the banking community. The program is made possible by the following:
- The Alliance for Children and Families
- The McKnight Foundation
- Citibank
- Citizen's Bank
- First Niagara Bank
- Fleet Bank
- Greater Buffalo Savings Bank
- HSBC
- The John R. Oishei Foundation
- Key Bank
- M&T Bank
- The Erie County Department of Social Services
- The United Way of Buffalo and Erie County
- Child & Family Services
Links to financial fitness supports available in the community: MicroBiz Buffalo.
For more information or to apply, please contact:
Child & Family Services Ways To Work Loan Program
844 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14209-2008
(716) 335-7400
Toll-Free: 1-866-269-1587
FAX: (716) 882-7283