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COVID-19 Financial Resources

As an organization that provides financial education and counseling to people across the United States, we feel it is important and our responsibility to offer referrals for people struggling to make ends meet during this pandemic. Below you will find a list of resources, by type. These resources contain links to additional information or services that may be helpful during this time. 

We are proud to be available to assist you with your budgeting, credit and debt management needs, by telephone  888-282-5492 or email, Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PDT. You can access your account online, as well. To enroll in online access, click here

We are all in this together. 

BudgetChildcareCredit/Lenders
FoodGig WorkersHousing
MedicalSeniorsService Members
Small BusinessStudent LoansTaxes
UnemploymentUtilitiesVeterans

Budget

In times of uncertainty, reviewing your budget and developing a plan for for your funds can help to ease stress. It can help you determine what you have and how you can stretch dollars over the coming weeks and months. On our website we have tools that can help you with this task. 

Childcare

Child Care Aware: Offers a national childcare referral locator tool based on individual need and income to state and local programs. Includes Military fee assistance / Respite Child Care Programs. State specific programs are located at here.

US Department of Health & Human Services: Childcare assistance is available to eligible families through State agencies that administer Federal Child Care and Development grants.

Credit/Lenders (Credit cards, mortgage lenders, auto lenders and personal loans)

Many credit-based lenders are implementing special programs to help borrowers experiencing financial hardship due to the health crisis. If your lender is not on the list please reach out to them as most have programs in place.

AnnualCreditReport.com - Due to the sudden changes in the economy, now is a good time to obtain a copy of your credit report. This way, you have a record of how your bills were paid prior to this health event. Everyone is entitled to a free copy of their credit reports, from each one of the major credit bureaus, every 12 months. 

Food

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) / Food Stamps.  Use the Snap Directory to locate assistance in your state.
  • Find local food assistance by contacting your local 211 or dial 211.
  • US Department of Agriculture offers food assistance locator for people across the United States. 

Housing

Homeowners

  • Making Home Affordable government website has extensive information and resources for homeowners seeking assistance.
  • The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to suspend foreclosures and evictions from mortgages for at least 60-days, as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. This includes suspending all foreclosure actions currently in process and also applies to reverse mortgages. To determine which agency owns your mortgage,  visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's website. They have a list of resources find your loan servicer. 
  • Homeowners with home loans not backed by HUD/FHFA are encouraged to contact their lender to discuss payment options and relief needed related to the COVID-19 Pandemic.  Many lenders have obligations under your contract and have implemented special waivers due to COVID-19.
  • For specific lender information, please see Creditors/Lenders above. 

Renters

  • As with mortgages, HUD has established a 60-day moratorium on evictions from FHA-insured single-family rentals.
  • Augrented Blog is maintaining a running National list of eviction moratoriums and other tenant protections, and advice for staying safe as a renter during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • National Low-Income Housing Coalition is maintaining a state list of housing actions related to suspending evictions. This list may be helpful if you are not renting a HUD/FHA-insured property. 
  • 211.org can provided state and locality specific resources to assist renters.

Medical

  • Insured: visit the website for your provider or contact their customer support line with questions about coverage for COVID-19 testing and treatment.  Many insurers are also making telemedicine available for low or no cost.
  • Uninsured: if you do not have insurance you may be eligible for benefits through your state. 
  • Some states have opened the enrollment period for the Affordable Health Care Act. Visit Healthcare.gov find out if you qualify for this opportunity.
  • At Insure Kids Now you can explore options based on your household income, children in the home and state.
  • Medicaid provides health coverage to millions of Americans, including eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults and people with disabilities. Medicaid is administered by states, according to federal requirements. The program is funded jointly by states and the federal government.
  • Health Centers can assist people in person, over the phone or using telehealth and are offered at a reduced cost or free of charge depending on economic status. Health Centers located at schools may be closed at this time. 
  • National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFCC). Visit the NAFCC to locate a free or charitable health clinic near you.

Mental Health

  • NAMI NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives. They have numerous resources for people seeking a listening ear, ongoing therapy, assistance with paying for medication and much more. 
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States.

Prescriptions

  • WebMD has a list of numerous prescription assistance programs across the U.S. 

Seniors

General Assistance

  • On BenefitsCheckUp.org, you’ll find options in your state to help with utility bill payments, prescription drug costs, and more

Meals

Medical

Scams

Transportation

Service Members

Military One Source is part of the U.S. Department of Defense’s network. This site provides direct referrals for services to all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Assistance categories include financial, travel, medical, taxes, housing, education, employment and services for spouses. Military OneSource services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 800-342-9647 or 703-253-7599 (numbers work from overseas as well, but you must use a country code). 

If your relief organization isn't nearby, one of the other service relief organizations can help process your request. If no military relief organizations are near you, the local Red Cross chapter can process your request. You can also reach out to your installation's Military and Family Support Center for help.

Service members and families who have been affected financially as a result of travel restrictions, closures and other events from the coronavirus may also check with their service relief organization to see if emergency help is available.

Small Business/Gig Workers

Student Loans

Federal Student Loans

All Borrowers

  • The US Department of Education announced on March 20, 2020 that it will provide student loan relief:
  • All borrowers with federally held student loans will automatically have their interest rates set to 0% for a period of at least 60 days.
  • All federal student loan borrowers may apply for temporary (60 days) forbearance of student loan payments. Borrowers must contact their loan servicer online or by phone – forbearance is not automatically applied.

Past Due Borrowers

  • Any borrower more than 31 days past due as of March 13, 2020, or who becomes more than 31 days delinquent will automatically be placed into forbearance.
  • All federal student loan garnishments should cease as of March 13th. This includes federal tax offsets, social security garnishments and wage garnishments.

General Information

Private Student Loans

  • If you have private student loans, contact your lender and ask about options such as: temporary forbearance or temporary payment reduction. 

Taxes

Federal

  • For the Coronavirus Tax Relief information, visit the IRS's special webpage.
  • The income tax filing deadline has been moved from April 15 to July 15. Visit the IRS website to learn more. 

State

Unemployment

The US Department of Labor issued guidance for state unemployment insurance programs to extend benefits to individuals impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Use the Unemployment Benefits Finder to learn more about what is available in your state.

Utilities

General Utilities

  • Federal Communications Commission has announced many internet and cellular providers have committed to waving late payment fees, increasing caps on internet speeds, and will not disconnect customers for not paying monthly bill on time.  Contact your provider for more information. 
  • The Energy & Policy Institute is maintaining a live list of utilities that are suspending disconnections.  You can check the list here.
  • The Low Income Energy Assistance Program offers financial assistance to qualifying individuals and families to pay their utlity bills. 
  • 211 can assist with referrals to local utility programs.  

Veterans

Housing

  • The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is working with other federal partners to assess next steps in response to recent reports of cases of COVID-19 in the United States. To keep Veterans and stakeholders safe while continuing the mission of VA Home Loan Program, VA is providing the following information. Servicers may employ the following relief for Veterans impacted by COVID-19: Forbearance requests, Late Charge Fee Waivers and Suspension of Credit Reporting. More information will be shared as updates are made available regarding the VA Home Loan program.

Healthcare

  • Find your local VA Facility using the locator here.
  • Veterans can sign into My Health Vet to send a secure message to VA or use telehealth options to explain their condition and receive a prompt diagnosis.

Additional Assistance

  • American Legion provides temporary financial assistance to veterans for a number of purposes including assistance with rent or mortgage payments. Visit their website to learn more. 
  • USA Cares may help with emergency assistance to pay utility bills, purchase food, pay essential bills and assist with rent or mortgage.
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) provides financial grants for services such as rent, mortgage, utilities, medication, and more.
  • VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance - VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits provide monthly payments added to the amount of a monthly VA pension for qualified Veterans and survivors. If you need help with daily activities, or you’re housebound, find out if you qualify.

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Published Mar 24, 2020.