For a limited time only, HFLA is offering Public Employee Bridge Loans (PEBLs) to public employees who aren’t being paid due to the federal or state budget impasses. These loans may be used to cover basic living expenses. Please review the PEBL guidelines below. All applicants must apply using the online PEBL application.
Applicants must:
- be a resident of Allegheny, Westmoreland, Washington, Beaver, Butler, or Armstrong County
- be a public employee who is not receiving their wages due to the federal or state budget impasses. Essential employees working without pay and furloughed employees are eligible.
- have sufficient income to repay the loan once their public employment pay resumes.
- have a cosigner/guarantor if their credit is below 625. (Cosigner/guarantor must be a PA resident with a credit score of 670+) and proof of income.
Income Limits
Borrowers are eligible if their current gross income is less than twice the Area Median Income (AMI). Currently HFLA is using the following guidelines:
| Family Size |
Area Median Income (2025 data) |
2x AMI (HFL eligible up to this gross income) |
|---|---|---|
|
Single person |
$75,200 |
$150,400 |
|
Family of 2 |
$85,900 |
$171,800 |
|
Family of 3 |
$96,600 |
$193,200 |
|
Family of 4 |
$107,300 |
$214,600 |
|
Family of 5 |
$115,900 |
$231,800 |
|
Family of 6 |
$124,500 |
$249,000 |
|
Family of 7 |
$133,100 |
$266,200 |
|
Family of 8 |
$141,700 |
$283,400 |
Application Process
Hebrew Free Loan strives to make the process of obtaining a loan simple, but thorough. We are committed to meeting applicants with respect and compassion. The process is completely confidential.
- Click here to submit an application. In order to successfully begin the application process, be prepared to submit your personal contact information, public employment information, and information on household income.
- After you submit your application, you will receive an email with instructions for securely submitting your Social Security Number. We request this information so that we can check your credit. Your credit report will show that the Hebrew Free Loan Association has done a “hard check” of your credit. Once you have submitted your social security number, an HFLA staff member will contact you to review your application and request submission of required documentation, including:
- Photo ID (proof that you live in our service area)
- Proof you are a public employee who is not currently receiving pay
- Proof of other household income (if applicable)
- Budget using a template provided by HFLA (download here)
- Cosigner application (if applicable)
- If you qualify, staff will schedule you for a confidential appointment with a Loan Committee. You must bring photo identification.
- Meet with a Loan Committee made up of two to three Hebrew Free Loan Association Board members. They will seek information about your need for the loan as well as your ability to repay a loan. The committee will approve or deny the loan.
Apply for a Public Employee Bridge Loan Today!
Click and apply online now.
PEBL Borrower FAQ
How do I get started?
Review the PEBL guidelines above and these FAQs and complete an online application. If you have questions that are not answered on the website, please send an email to info@hflapgh.org. As our staffing is limited, it is usually faster to get a response via email, but you can call 412-212-8684. Click here to fill out our online application.
Who is eligible?
You must:
- be a resident of Allegheny, Washington, Westmoreland, Beaver, Butler, or Armstrong County
- be a public employee who is not receiving their wages due to the federal or state budget impasses. Essential employees working without pay and furloughed employees are eligible.
- have sufficient income to repay the loan once their public employment pay resumes.
- have a cosigner/guarantor if their credit is below 625. (Cosigner/guarantor must be a PA resident with a credit score of 670+ and proof of income).
Your current gross income must be less than twice the Area Median Income (AMI).
| Family Size |
Area Median Income (2025 data) |
2x AMI (HFL eligible up to this gross income) |
|---|---|---|
|
Single person |
$75,200 |
$150,400 |
|
Family of 2 |
$85,900 |
$171,800 |
|
Family of 3 |
$96,600 |
$193,200 |
|
Family of 4 |
$107,300 |
$214,600 |
|
Family of 5 |
$115,900 |
$231,800 |
|
Family of 6 |
$124,500 |
$249,000 |
|
Family of 7 |
$133,100 |
$266,200 |
|
Family of 8 |
$141,700 |
$283,400 |
You are NOT eligible to apply for a PEBL if:
- you have been laid off from public employment;
- you are an employee of a government contractor (private or nonprofit) regardless of whether you are receiving wages or not due to the budget impasses; or
- you are applying for a loan of more than $5,000.
In these cases, you may apply for a standard HFLA loan if you or your spouse has a current source of income that can repay the loan.
If you are unsure or feel you have extenuating circumstances, please email info@hflapgh.org or call 412-212-8684.
How much can I borrow?
You may apply for a PEBL loan up to $5,000. If you are married, you and your spouse must apply as co-applicants.
How can I use PEBL funds?
Unlike typical HFLA loans, borrowers may use PEBL funds for basic living expenses, such as rent, mortgage payments, utilities, gas, groceries, home maintenance, child care, credit card payments, dental and medical expenses, and other daily living expenses that are difficult to pay due to the temporary loss of public employment income. Use of PEBL funds for purposes other than basic living expenses is at the discretion of HFLA staff.
How long does it take until I know if I am approved or not for a loan?
Once you complete your online application, staff will follow up via email within 2 business days to request the additional information required to process your application. Staff will review your credit score, your budget, and the other documentation you provide. If at any point the information becomes disqualifying for continuing in the loan process, staff will inform you. Otherwise, once your application appears complete, staff will schedule the applicant and cosigner/guarantor for the next available Loan Committee meeting, where a decision will be made about the loan. Recognizing that losing an income can greatly impact one’s financial stability, we will try to get applicants through the loan process within two weeks, when possible. This will depend on how quickly applicants and cosigners/guarantors provide requested information.
How does the application process work?
You must submit an application online. If you are married, you and your spouse need to be co-applicants on the loan. You will then receive instructions for submitting your Social Security Number so that HFLA staff can check your credit.
HFLA staff will call or email you to follow up, answer any remaining questions, and request required documentation. You will need to provide a photo identification, proof you are a public employee who is not receiving pay due to the federal or state budget impasse, proof of other household income (if applicable), and a budget on a template provided by HFLA (download here).
Your cosigner/guarantor will have to provide their social security number, photo identification, and proof of income. HFLA staff will pull a hard copy of your credit report (applicant and cosigner, if applicable).
You will then have a confidential meeting with a Loan Committee made up of 2-4 Hebrew Free Loan Association Board members either online via Zoom or in person at the HFLA office (4905 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213). The Loan Committee will seek information about your need for the loan as well as your ability to repay a loan. The Committee will approve or deny the loan. If approved, you’ll sign Confirmation of Loan Terms and the Guaranty Agreement and HFLA will issue a check or ACH for approved funds.
How much time do I have to repay?
The Loan repayment schedule will be based upon the length of the federal and state budget impasses:
- Nominal Repayment Period: Approximately 30 days from the date your loan is issued, you must begin making nominal payments of $5 per month.
- Standard Repayment Period: Two months following the end of both the federal and state budget impasses or six months from the date your loan is issued, whichever is earlier, you must begin standard repayments. The standard repayment rate for loans of $5,000 will be $150 per month for approximately 34 months. Loans of a lesser amount will have a lower standard monthly payment.
Payments must be made using Zelle if your bank offers it.
When will I know if my loan is approved?
You will know on the day of your Loan Committee if your loan is approved or denied. IF approved, you will sign a promissory note for the amount of the loan and the money will be released.
How long does it take to receive my check?
If all the paperwork and signatures are in order on the night of the Loan Committee meeting, you may receive your check that same night!
How long will Public Employee Bridge Loans be available?
The PEBL program will be offered for a limited time only at the sole discretion of HFLA based upon the availability of funds and the duration of the federal and state budget impasses and is subject to end at any time.
How else can I support Hebrew Free Loan Association?
You can make a donation today to help the Hebrew Free Loan Association to help others. Hebrew Free Loan Association began with a few community members donating money to help their peers in 1887, and it continues to operate in the same way today. A donation to Hebrew Free Loan Association is unique in that, in a way, it lasts in perpetuity. As a borrower repays a loan, that money is then “recycled” and used to fund another loan.
Cosigner FAQ
Do cosigners ever have to make loan payments?
Yes. In the event the borrower does not or cannot make payments on the loan, by cosigning, you are assuming legal responsibility for repaying the loan.
If I am required to make payments, can they be at the same monthly rate the borrower has agreed to?
Yes. If the borrower does not make payments and you are called upon to do so, your payments would be at the same monthly rate agreed to by the borrower. You do NOT have to repay the loan in one lump sum.
Will I find out the repayment terms the borrower agrees to?
Yes. When you sign the loan paperwork, you will see the total amount of the loan that has been approved as well as the monthly repayment amount.
When will I be contacted to find out if the borrower is not making repayments?
Staff from the Hebrew Free Loan Association will contact you via email and/or phone if we have not received payment from the borrower in any given month.
Will this affect my credit?
Your credit report will show that the Hebrew Free Loan Association of Pittsburgh has done a “hard check” of your credit. Other than this, the loan will not impact your credit unless you are required to make a payment and do not.
Will this affect my property?
The loan will not impact your property unless you are required to make payment and do not. In that case, Hebrew Free Loan Association reserves the right to place a lien on your property.
What do I have to do now that I’ve filled out the cosigner/guarantor application?
Once you’ve completed the cosigner application, submitted your social security number for a credit check, and provided the requested documentation, you will need to participate in the Loan Committee. If the applicant is approved for the loan, you will need to sign two documents for Hebrew Free Loan Association of PIttsburgh. These documents will be provided electronically or you may sign them in person at the HFLA office if the Loan Committee is held in person (4905 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213). The two documents are the Confirmation of Loan Terms and the Guaranty Agreement.