SKS members are eligible to take up to Rs. 1500 ($35) in a fiscal year for emergencies. These loans are provided interest free and must be repaid within 20 weeks. Emergency loans are given only in times of dire need to meet expenses such as funerals, hospital admissions, prenatal care and other crisis situations. SKS provides emergency loans because it is during these times that villagers resort to selling what little assets they have or make the desperate choice of borrowing money from local money lenders.