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Visit JFLT's 100th Anniversary Site

Toronto Hebrew Free Loan Association annual meeting, 150 Beverley St., Toronto, 1966.

Resources

FAQ

After you send us your application and supporting documents, they will be processed by an intake coordinator. If the documents are all in order, they will be forwarded to a financial officer for review. You will then receive an interview with members of our Loan Committee. After your interview, your application will receive a final evaluation by our Loan Committee. An intake coordinator will be in touch the day afterwards to notify you if your loan was approved. 

Getting a loan from JFLT is fast, but it is not automatic. We aim for a timeline of between 2 to 4 weeks from receipt of a complete application. Incomplete applications will take longer to process.

You’ll have to submit a few final forms, and choose a repayment date. The loan amount will then be deposited directly into your bank account. Repayments begin one month later. 

Being a guarantor means you “guarantee” someone else’s loan by promising to repay it in the event that they are unable to do so.

The vast majority of our loans are repaid by the loan recipient, but guarantors ensure that JFLT will be paid back in the unlikely event the loan recipient defaults. This repayment then ensures that JFLT can continue lending funds to other people in need.

A guarantor must be a Permanent Resident or a Citizen of Canada, at least 18 years of age who has the financial means and capability of repaying the loan amount. Guarantors must also (i) be a resident of Ontario or any of the Atlantic provinces for a minimum of one year and (ii) have sufficient net assets which are not immune from legal attachment (preferably real estate) and satisfy the ability and capacity to act as a guarantor. Although residence ownership is desired, persons showing substantial sustained income may be evaluated on such income and other assets. Parents may serve as guarantors as long as they are financially able to repay the loan.

Borrowers with outstanding loan balances cannot be guarantors. Rabbis, priests, ministers, or other members of the clergy who are acting in that capacity with a congregation, cannot be guarantors, unless the potential guarantor has a personal relationship with the applicant (e.g. family, friend, etc.). Members of the JFLT Board, Executive, or committees and their spouses, and dependent children also cannot be guarantors.

Complaint Policy

  • JFLT is committed to providing its service with compassion, dignity and professionalism. To this end, we have a formal complaint policy that reflects our high standards of conduct. Our goal is to deal with all complaints fairly, confidentially and promptly.
  • The document is available here.

Diversity & Inclusion

Overview

Jewish Free Loan Toronto (JFLT) was founded on the Biblical premise of Gmilut Hasadim, or “acts of kindness” something which in today’s culture includes and translates into an acceptance and celebration of diversity and inclusion. Since its beginning in 1924, JFLT has endeavored to respect the unique contributions its staff and board members bring to the table and to serve a diverse clientele with sensitivity and dignity. Gender, age, religious affiliation, sexual orientation and appearance play no role in our deliberative processes about loan allotment. The only determining factor is need.

Policy

JFLT believes that an inclusive work culture and environment contributes to maintaining and enhancing our success. This means that staff members, board directors, volunteers and clients are valued because of and not in spite of their differences. As an inclusive agency, JFLT has policies and practices in place that promote acceptance. There is zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, harassment or bullying in the boardroom, workplace or interview process.

Board Members and Volunteers

JFLT has made and continues to make every effort to ensure that its board is diverse and reflective of the community that it serves. JFLT aims to have board members and volunteers come from various religious affiliations, socio-economic backgrounds and ethnic origins and to provide services to clients in English, Hebrew, Russian, Spanish, Yiddish and French. JFLT’s board members work inclusively with each other and the staff. Committees share information with one another and are often staffed by professionals and lay people alike.

Interview Process

To ensure fairness, we strive to have a minimum of two JFLT volunteers interview each client. When language is a barrier, JFLT will supply a translator or allow the client to bring a translator of his/her own. When distance is a barrier, Zoom or telephone interviews can be arranged.