COVID19_Washington

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.

Washington Homeownership Hotline at 1.877.894.HOME

List of Housing Counseling Agencies in Washington: Housing counselors may be able to assist you with your needs. Contact a housing counselor near you: https://apps.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm?webListAction=search&searchstate=WA

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/

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.

Governor Jay Inslee has called on all public utilities in Washington state to suspend disconnection tariffs for nonpayment during this emergency; waiving late fees for customers who are out of work or offering customers payment plans; and expanding bill assistance programs for customers who are economically impacted by this emergency. Many utility companies are already doing this. Contact your utility company for direct assistance.

Additional Resources:
Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission: https://www.utc.wa.gov/aboutUs/Pages/Covid19.aspx

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

$5 Million in Small Grants from Governor's Strategic Funds Up to $5 million of the Governor’s Strategic Reserve Funds will be made available as small grants to small businesses across the state to help prevent closure due to COVID-19. The state Department of Commerce will coordinate an application process.

City of Seattle Small Business Stabilization Fund Approximately $2.5 million is available for the City of Seattle Small Business Stabilization Fund, an emergency fund that provides working capital grants in amounts up to $10,000 to qualifying small businesses. Eligibility criteria and how to apply is here: seattle.gov/office-of-economic-development/small-business/small-business-programs-/stabilization-fund-

Seattle Office of Economic Development, 2020 OED Small Business Stabilization Fund, offering grants of up to $10,000 for small businesses with physical establishment in Seattle, five or fewer employees including the owner, affected by COVID-19, owner is at or below 80% of the area median income; https://seattle.surveymonkey.com/r/RJ57GQN

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/

Seattle Artist Relief Fund Amid COVID-19, offering cash assistance to individual artists in the greater Seattle area with immediate financial needs due to COVID-19. https://www.gofundme.com/f/for-artists

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:
Musang, Soulful Dishes and The Station are offering free food delivery and pick up for "health workers at the front lines of the COVID-19 response". More information here: https://www.instagram.com/p/B95tGlFAzeh/

Seattle Public Schools (SPS) will be distributing lunches from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every weekday at 26 school sites throughout the city. All SPS students can participate. For sites and more information: https://www.seattleschools.org/district/calendars/news/what_s_new/coronavirus_update/resources

WA-BLOC and FEEST Seattle are providing free hot lunch for students in the Rainier Beach Community every Tuesday and Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rainier Beach Community Center plaza while schools remain closed. Details here: https://www.facebook.com/wabloc/photos/a.1767230720208054/2494286327502486/?type=3&theater

Northwest Harvest SODO Community Market is offering pre-bagged produce, prepared foods, and shelf-stable groceries right at the door. There is no need to enter the facility. 1914 4th Ave South, Seattle. For more information: https://www.northwestharvest.org/stuff/contentmgr/files/1/15c0a8f89491fb03e7e999a6e06d0b27/files/sodo_postcard_5x7_final.pdf

Seattle Human Services Department's Aging and Disability Services division are offering sack lunches and in many areas. Home-delivered meals (e.g., Meals on Wheels) are an option for individuals age 60+ who are unable to leave their homes. Contact 844.348.5464. More info here: https://www.communitylivingconnections.org/

Internet Resources:
Effective Monday, March 16, Comcast is offering 2 months free to new Internet Essentials customers in response to recent and anticipated emergency measures associated with the COVID-19 outbreak. Visit www.internetessentials.com for more information.

Eviction or Foreclosure Information

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/

Financial Resources for Washington Residents Impacted by COVID-19: https://dfi.wa.gov/coronavirus-financial-resources

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