F. A. Q.

How Does an Impact Loan Work? 

FAQs

What is THE COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND?

The Community Impact Fund is a 501C3 non profit organization established to create prospering “communities” worldwide. The key to prospering communities worldwide is financial well-being for all.

How are the FUNDS GOVERNED?

This Fund is governed by The Community Impact Fund. CIF is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that is responsible for responding to all inquiries, vetting all applications, and distributing funds to approved applicants.

What is an IMPACT LOAN?

CIF offers a 0% interest loan with a flexible payback schedule to individuals in need. To qualify for a loan,  an eligible employee (applicant) of WEOKIE FCU applies to CIF for consideration. CIF conducts diligence to ensure the borrower qualifies for assistance under IRS regulations and CIF policies and procedures. Once approved for the Loan, a distribution of the approved amount will be made directly to a bank account provided by the applicant.

Who is ELIGIBLE to apply for the Impact Loan?

Applicants must be full-time or part-time employees of WEOKIE FCU and have been employed for at least 90 days. You must also be 18 years or older. You must also have a WEOKIE FCU checking account as it is required as part of the application process.

What is the MAXIMUM LOAN AMOUNT?

Loans are based on the needs cited in the application. The minimum loan amount you can request is $500. The maximum amount is $1500.

For WHICH CIRCUMSTANCES can I use my Impact Loan?

Your Impact Loan can be used to cover unexpected expenses or pay down high-interest debts. Click here to learn more about How to use your Impact Loan Employee Benefit.

What are the TERMS OF THE LOAN?

A repayment schedule will be set up automatically for the full loan amount over 12 months. Therefore, your monthly payment amount will be your total loan amount divided by 12. For example, if you receive a $1500 loan, you will pay back your loan over 12 months, with a monthly payment of $125.00. As part of your application process, you will select the day of the month that you want your automatic monthly payment to occur. Your payment is deducted from the bank account you connect as part of your application.

Your first payment is due 30-45 days from the day you receive your loan. Your loan does not collect interest at any point. Once you receive your loan, you can log into your borrower profile anytime to view your repayment status, change your repayment date, connect a new bank account, or request other support as needed.  If you have questions about the terms, please email loans@communityimpactfund.org.

If your employment with WEOKIE FCU comes to an end either by choice or termination, your loan is still due. Even if it takes longer to pay back your loan, we still want you to make your payments anytime you can. Every dollar that is paid back allows someone else to receive the support they need through an Impact Loan. The CIF loan team is here to support you so don’t hesitate to contact us at any point even if you miss multiple payments due to unexpected circumstances.

How are APPROVAL decisions made?

Approval decisions are made based on the information provided by the applicant. Please review the following application instructions in preparation for applying. The loan application does not pull your credit and your loan is not reported to credit. However, you are required to connect your WEOKIE FCU checking account where you received your paycheck in order to confirm your income and receive your loan disbursement,  and upload a W-2 statement. 

A WEOKIE FCU checking account is required to apply. That being said, your participation in the Impact Loan Program will remain anonymous to WEOKIE FCU.

How are LOANS DISBURSED?

Loans will be distributed by CIF to the approved applicant directly to the applicant’s primary bank account which is connected as part of the application process. In order to receive an Impact Loan, you must connect your WEOKIE FCU checking account. If you don’t have a WEOKIE FCU checking account, you can sign up for one by clicking here. 

Payments will be sent within 1-4 business days of the loan being approved. CIF cannot process loans over the weekend or during bank holidays so this may affect how quickly you can receive your loan.

Will my loan payment be deemed as TAXABLE income?

Any loans received by applicants will not be deemed as taxable income.

Will this loan show up on my CREDIT REPORT?

No, at this time Impact Loans are not reported to the Credit Bureaus. Additionally, we do not check your credit score.

Can I SKIP OR DEFER my monthly payment if I can't pay?

Sometimes you may be in a situation where you can’t make a payment. We do our best to support you by allowing you to occasionally defer a monthly payment. This moves the payment to the end of your repayment schedule so you will still need to pay it eventually but it does not collect interest. Borrowers have the option to make a prepayment to pay off the loan faster and any prepayment will be applied to the final monthly payment schedule. 

TO REQUEST A PAYMENT DEFERMENT, sign in to your borrower portal on your loan application site using the SIGN IN button located at the top right of the screen. Here you can submit a flexible payment request or make payments on missed payments to return your loan status to good standing.

HOWEVER PLEASE NOTE: Making a manual payment DOES NOT cancel your automatic payment that is set to withdraw each month. Therefore, if you don’t wish to have the additional payment withdrawn, you must submit your FLEXIBLE PAYMENT REQUEST through the portal at least FIVE DAYS prior to the day your payment is due. Questions? Contact loans@communityimpactfund.org and provide your first and last name and the company for which you work.

What happens if I can’t pay back the loan?

We want you to have success with your loan. The loan remains a 0% interest loan. If you cannot make one or multiple monthly loan payments, they remain due. Any missed payments due to non-sufficient funds in your connected bank account are automatically added to the end of your repayment schedule and thus, your loan payback term is extended.

Even if your monthly payment fails due to insufficient funds, your payment next month will still be automatically deducted. You will be expected to pay next month’s payment and all remaining payments.  If you anticipate not being able to meet your monthly payment requirements due to unexpected circumstances, please refer to the FAQ, Can I SKIP or DEFER a payment? , for more information on how to address repayment challenges. The CIF loan administration team wants you to feel safe and supported through your loan borrowing process. We are here to help and want to help so PLEASE contact us with any information or questions so that we can help you pay back your loan in full.

Whether you are still employed by WEOKIE FCU or not, you are still expected to pay back your loan in full, even if it takes several more months to do so. It is important to remember that every dollar paid back goes back into the loan fund so that others in need can request and receive a loan.

Can I make a prepayment or pay off the loan sooner?

Yes, prepayments are applied to the final monthly installment. You can make additional payments on your loan, by logging in to your borrower profile using the SIGN IN button on the top right corner of this loan application site. Please follow the instructions to make a manual payment.

HOWEVER PLEASE NOTE: Making a manual payment DOES NOT cancel your automatic payment that is set to withdraw each month. Therefore, if you don’t wish to have the additional payment withdrawn, you must submit a FLEXIBLE PAYMENT REQUEST via the portal at least FIVE DAYS prior to the day your payment is due.

Questions? Email loans@communityimpactfund.org and be sure to share your first and last name, and that your loan was from the WEOKIE FCU fund.

What is the SAVINGS INCENTIVE?

WEOKIE FCU is committed to your long-term financial well-being. Therefore, as part of the Impact Loan Program, they are also offering you the opportunity to earn money towards your Emergency Savings account.

Please click here to visit the Savings Incentive Program page on your loan site to learn about the program. You can start on this process right away, saving money as you go. Or, as stated, you have 90 days after paying off your loan in full to complete the process.

Questions? Contact loans@communityimpactfund.org

Who do I CONTACT if I have any questions about this program?

Please reach out to CIF’s loan administration team at loans@communityimpactfund.org. 

Our business hours are Monday-Friday, 8 am-3 pm MST/9 am-5 pm CST. We are closed on weekends and all banking holidays. For fast assistance please always share your first and last name and that you are currently or previously employed by WEOKIE FCU.