Our Commitment to Keeping You Informed

Please find below information for Federal and Texas Resources for COVID-19.

Unemployment Assistance - FAQs, Info

U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20200312-0

Texas Workforce Commission

Due to the state of emergency declared by Gov. Greg Abbott, the state has suspended the requirement that unemployed individuals must register with the state jobs site and show they are actively applying for new jobs. The state also has waived the “waiting week” provision that previously held back one week of benefits until after job seekers found a new job or hit their benefits maximum. https://twc.texas.gov/jobseekers/unemployment-benefits-services


Mortgage Assistance

Information from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/if-i-cant-pay-my-mortgage-loan-what-are-my-options-en-268/

On March 18, 2020, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) suspended all foreclosures and eviction actions on mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) for the next 60 days. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will also suspend all foreclosures and evictions for the same 60 day period.

Homeownership Preservation Foundation: https://995hope.org/

Austin, TX
Neighborhood Housing and Community Development (NHCD) Department, offers information and referrals to assist impacted community members with immediate housing needs. Resources for homeowners here:
http://www.austintexas.gov/department/resources-homeowners

Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act has been passed by both the Senate and the House and signed into law by the President. The Act references the prohibition on foreclosures for all federally-backed mortgage loans (1-4 units) for a 60-day period and provides up to 180 days of forbearance for borrowers of a federally-backed mortgage loan (90 days for federally-backed multifamily mortgage loans, i.e., those with 5 or more units) who have experienced a financial hardship related to the COVID-19 emergency. More details to come.

Fannie Mae Loan Lookup Search Tool: https://www.knowyouroptions.com/loanlookup Freddie Mac Loan Lookup Search Tool: https://ww3.freddiemac.com/loanlookup/ 


Rent Assistance

Housing Counseling from HUD: https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/housing-counseling/

On March 18, 2020, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) suspended all foreclosures and eviction actions on mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) for the next 60 days. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will also suspend all foreclosures and evictions for the same 60 day period.

Texas Apartment Association has compiled a great list of resources for renters, available here: https://www.taa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/TAA-Cororavirus-Renter-Resources-1.pdf

Austin, TX
Neighborhood Housing and Community Development (NHCD) Department, offers information and referrals to assist impacted community members with immediate housing needs. Resources for renters here:
http://www.austintexas.gov/department/resources-renters-0


Utility Assistance

Many utility and service providers across the nation are suspending disconnections and offering special allowances or payment plans at this time. First and foremost, reach out directly to your service provider to ensure no disruption in service and to make necessary arrangements.

Travis County (Austin, TX)
Austin Energy will not disconnect utility services during the COVID-19 health crisis and is offering Customer Assistance Programs to those in need. Learn more here:
https://austinenergy.com/ae/residential/your-bill/customer-assistance-programs


Small Business Assistance and Loans

Small Business Disaster Loan Assistance Program: The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to Washington small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). For more information or to apply: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela

SCORE is a nationwide nonprofit organization of thousands of volunteer business counselors trained to serve as advisors to business owners.
https://www.score.org/

Federal Income Tax Filing and Payment Deadline Extension The federal tax return filing deadline is now July 15, 2020. For tax payments of up to $10 million, the IRS has also extended the deadline for both individuals and businesses to July 15, 2020. Estimated tax payments for 2020 originally due on April 15 will now be due on July 15.

Facebook Small Business Grants Program: Facebook is offering $100 million in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries due to the effects of COVID-19. Not much information is currently available, but sign up to be included as more comes available here:
https://www.facebook.com/business/boost/grants?ref=alias

Texas Economic Development information on small business resources. https://gov.texas.gov/business/page/small-business-programs


Other (Student Loans, Food, Internet Resources)

Student Loans Deferment: Student Loan Deferment or Forbearance
Information from the Department of Education:
https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/coronavirus

Internet Resources:
Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country are available to anyone who needs them for free, including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit
www.xfinity.com/wifi. Once at a hotspot, you can select the "xfinitywifi" network name in the list of available hotspots and then launch a browser.

Industry-Specific Assistance:
Bartender Emergency Assistance Program Grant through the United States Bartending Guild Foundation for eligible industry workers that have been displaced during COVID-19:
https://www.usbgfoundation.org/

If you are a bartender, barback, bar server, or are otherwise engaged in the service or preparation of alcoholic beverages, you are eligible.

Restaurant Workers' Community Foundation (RWCF), its COVID19 Crisis Relief Fund has been established to:
i) Immediately direct money to organizations leading on-the-ground efforts in the restaurant community, ii) To bolster our impact investing budget to provide zero-interest loans to businesses to maintain payroll during closure or re-open once this crisis has passed. iii) To establish a relief fund for individual workers facing economic hardships or health crises as a direct result of COVID-19.
https://www.restaurantworkerscf.org/news/2020/3/15/restaurant-workers-community-foundation-announces-the-formation-of-restaurant-workers-covid19-crisis-relief-fund

RWCF has assembled an impressive list of resources for restaurant workers here:
https://www.restaurantworkerscf.org/news/2020/3/15/resources-for-restaurants-and-workers-coping-with-the-covid-19-emergency

One Fair Wage, Emergency Coronavirus Tipped and Service Worker Support Fund, providing free, cash assistance to restaurant workers, delviery drivers and other tipped workers and service workers.
https://ofwemergencyfund.org/help

Air Force Aid Assistance, Air Force Aid Society, offering no-interest loans and/or grants to members of the Air Force, Airmen, and families;
https://afas.org/how-we-help/emergency-assistance/

American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), American Guild of Musical Artists Relief Fund, offering financial assistance for rent, utilities, mental health, and medical care; as well as other basic living expenses for any AGMA member in good standing or on honorable withdrawal;
https://agmarelief.org/eligibility/

And many many more. Great collection of nationwide industry specific programs available here:
https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/research/where-find-financial-help-during-coronavirus-pandemic/

Food Assistance for Those in Need:
Austin, TX,
In partnership with Meals on Wheels, the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) will distribute curbside for seniors and their spouses (10 meals per person). Local school districts are also providing meals for their students. Visit here for more information:
http://www.austintexas.gov/COVID19

Industry Specific Resources
Southern Smoke, Emergency Relief Program, offering grants of $500-$1000 for service works or restaurant suppliers with unforeseen expenses that cannot or wil not be covered by insurance.
https://form.southernsmoke.org/smoke/application/


Eviction or Foreclosure Information

On March 18, 2020, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) suspended all foreclosures and eviction actions on mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) for the next 60 days. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will also suspend all foreclosures and evictions for the same 60 day period.

The Texas Supreme Court issued an emergency order immediately suspending almost all residential evictions through April 19, 2020. There is a limited exception for an eviction based on a person posing an imminent threat of physical harm to another resident or the rental property’s staff, or for criminal activity. The order applies statewide.

Courts may accept new filings, but citation will not be served until after April 19, and the time periods associated with the filings are suspended. Similarly, courts may issues writs of possession, but writs will not be executed until after April 26.

Additional Eviction Resources available here:
http://www.austintexas.gov/page/resources-renters-help-eviction-or-displacement


Useful Websites and Other Resources

211.org - Get Connected. Get Help. A national network providing a wealth of resources and assistance spanning from food assistance to monthly housing needs. Visit http://211.org/services/covid19 to find your local 211 and learn the assistance available to you.

Salvation Army, check in with your State's Salvation Army for what is being coordinated near you:
https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/covid19/

Texas Department of State Health Services. https://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/
Texas Apartment Association Tips for Renters.
https://www.taa.org/renters/helpful-info/
City of Dallas Coronavirus Site.
https://dallascityhall.com/Pages/Corona-Virus.aspx