If you’re unemployed and need to settle urgent debts and living expenses, there are several loan options available. Before you get a loan, however, you have to really think the matter through.

To get you get impressive loan options, we’ve listed loans for unemployed NZ locals here.

We listed services you can avail for low-risk, low-cost loans. Also, we will elaborate on these services for you to see if these options are right for your needs.

Payday and truck loans have high-interest rates and fees and can trap you in more debt, leaving you in a worse financial state than you were in.

Anyway, if you’re ready, here are loans for unemployed NZ locals you can get!

1)  Work & Income

BEST FOR	Hardship assistance
SERVICES	Special Needs Grants Advanced Payments
WEBSITE	https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/
ADDRESS	New Zealand
CONTACT DETAILS	0800 559 009 @msdgovtnz | Twitter

Work & Income offers hardship assistance to unemployed people through grants and advanced payments. These can be used to pay for your urgent living costs and emergencies.

Unlike with other loans, you won’t have to pay exorbitant interest rates and fees. Still, for the advanced amount you loaned, it will have to be repaid in the future.

They have an application process to decide whether you qualify or not. In this case, you have to supply evidence of your circumstances to maximise your chances for approval.

Highlights

• Offers hardship assistance
• Interest rate and loan fee-free
• Low-cost, low-risk option
• You have to be on a benefit to qualify for advanced payment

2)  Credit Unions

BEST FOR	Low-interest rates
SERVICES	Personal Loans Flexible Payment Plans
WEBSITE	First Credit Union: https://www.firstcreditunion.co.nz/ NZCU Baywide: https://nzcubaywide.co.nz/ NZCU South: https://unitymoney.co.nz/contact-us/contact/
ADDRESS	New Zealand
CONTACT DETAILS	First Credit Union: +64 7-834 4810 NZCU Baywide: 0800 229 943 NZCU South: 0800 696 636

Another safe option for a loan is to approach credit unions. Some examples are First Credit Union, NZCU Baywide, and NZCU South.

They offer low-interest rates as well as flexible terms and repayment plans. Availing these plans helps you take care of your living expenses, while you are searching for work.

For car loans, personal loans, debt consolidation, home loans, and others, they can assist you. They’ll help create a repayment plan for you to pay back what you borrowed.

Highlights

• Low-interest rates
• Flexible terms and repayment plans

3)  Kiwi Saver

BEST FOR	Those with a remaining Kiwisaver balance
SERVICES	Voluntary Retirement Savings Scheme Personal Loans
WEBSITE	https://www.ird.govt.nz/kiwisaver
ADDRESS	PO Box 39010 Wellington, New Zealand 5045
CONTACT DETAILS	0800 775 247
OPERATING HOURS	Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

If you have a remaining KiwiSaver balance from your previous jobs, you can get cash for no interest rates at all. After all, it’s the money that you’ve earned.

Still, you have to fill up a hardship application and prove that you can’t afford basic living expenses. Examples are food, clothing, rent, mortgage payments, and the like.

Once your application is approved, you will get the cash that you need within a few weeks’ time.

Highlights

• Great for those with a remaining KiwiSaver balance
• Hardship application required
• Prompt cash
• No interest rates

4)  Free and discounted loan providers

BEST FOR	Discounted and fee-free loans
SERVICES	No-Interest and StepUP Loans Debt Relief Loans
WEBSITE	Good Shepherd NZ: www.goodshepherd.org.nz Nga Tangata: www.ngatangatamicrofinance.org.nz
ADDRESS	New Zealand
CONTACT DETAILS	Good Shepherd NZ: +64 800 466 370 [email protected]   Nga Tangata Microfinance: +64 21 941 259 [email protected]

If your debt has become excessive and unmanageable because of being unemployed, these community organisations may help you out.

Good Shepherd NZ lends money at low-interest rates for StepUP loans (about 6.99% per year) and no interest rates for No-Interest loans—both of them with no loan fees. These loan plans will allow you to repay the loan without dire financial consequences.

The company is partnered with Kiwibank and BNZ, in addition to community agencies such as Salvation Army, Aviva Families and Vaka Tautua.

Also, the Nga Tangata Microfinance Trust offers a maximum loan of up to $3,000 to put an end to your debt. However, you’ll have to fully repay it within 2 years.

Highlights

• Low or no interest rates
• Great repayment plans
• Loan-fee free
• Great for settling excessive debts

5)  Talk to a Loan Officer at Your Bank

BEST FOR	Personal and credit card debts
SERVICES	Banking services Loan assistance
WEBSITE	ANZ: https://www.anz.co.nz/personal/ ASB: https://www.asb.co.nz/ Kiwibank: https://www.kiwibank.co.nz/personal-banking/
ADDRESS	New Zealand
CONTACT DETAILS	ANZ: 0800 837 123 (personal loans) Kiwibank: 0800 113 355 (general inquiries)
OPERATING HOURS	Monday to Sunday

Because of the difficult situation brought on by COVID-19, NZ banks are offering financial assistance for your urgent needs and help you pay back what you owe.

They can also help you with personal and credit card debts. You can send in a hardship application to qualify for a flexible repayment plan.

Highlights

• Offers personal loans
• Fair and low-interest rates
• Flexible repayment plan

And those were loans for unemployed NZ locals you can get! As other loans can make you even more financially troubled, these should be your first choices when you’re getting a loan.

Do you have any questions or comments so far about our picks? If you have one, go ahead and leave a comment, and we’ll get back to you in a moment.

Also, you may want to read about personal loan agencies in Auckland. With them, you can get funding to buy the car you’ve always wanted or get your home renovation started.