Senture, Kentucky Highlands Corporation (KHIC), Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union (ACFCU) and Human Economic Appalachian Development Corp (HEAD) have partnered to create an innovative Employee Hardship Loan Program. The program is designed to help employees pay for unforeseen expenses like car repairs, medical bills, and home repairs. The program provides personal loans between $250 and $2,500 to cover unanticipated expenses. Loan payments are reported to Experian, which helps the employee build positive credit.

Importantly, employees who use the program are required to take part in personal financial coaching with HEAD . This free service teaches the employee how to pay off high interest debt, improve their credit scores, and eventually build an emergency fund. That way, the employee does not have to depend on the Employee Hardship Loan Program over the long term.