• Direct deposit payments started going out in the second half of March and should be out to everyone by April 30th. The IRS will also send checks or debit cards to people for who don’t have bank account information.
• You can try to check on the status of your payment here: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment. You can give the IRS your direct deposit info at that site too. If the IRS knows your bank information, the money should appear in your account soon.
• We have a calculator on our website that can help you estimate how much COVID-19 relief money could be coming your way. If you have not tried that yet, you can get started right here: https://act-now.workmoney.org/find-your-covid-19-benefits/

If you filed your taxes with a service like H&R Block, the IRS may deposit your stimulus payment in the wrong account, especially if you got your tax refund on a debit card. In that case it is not clear whether you’ll get your direct deposit or will need to wait until you file your 2020 tax returns. Check with the IRS at Get My Payment. If it tells you “Payment Status #2 — Not Available” that means you will need to file your 2020 tax return and apply for the Recovery Rebate. Recovery rebate to get your stimulus check.

Given how tough it is to pay bills, you may have overdrawn your bank account and have a negative balance. It is up to the bank whether to give you access to your stimulus check when it is deposited by the IRS.

• The big national banks and some other banks are still giving you access to your stimulus checks.
• But some other banks may apply the stimulus checks to your negative balance. DON’T JUST LET THEM DO THAT!!! Call your bank and tell them that Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo and other banks are giving their customers access to the stimulus checks and you want access to your money too!!

• We have a calculator on the WorkMoney website that can help you estimate how much COVID-19 relief money could be coming your way. If you have not tried that yet, you can get started right here.
• The second stimulus check is for $1,400 per person including everyone, including all dependents, claimed on your tax return each dep. If you made under $75,000 in 2019 or 2020 ($150,000 for a married couple) you’ll get the full amount. You’ll get less if you made up to $80,000 ($160,000), with no checks above those amounts.
• If you made less in 2020 than in 2019 and so are now eligible for a check, you’ll be able to claim the money on your 2020 tax return.

• If you never got your first stimulus payment you can claim what is known as a “recovery rebate credit” when you file your 2020 tax return. The Internal Revenue Service has a page on its website that explains the details.
• If you threw away a debit card, not knowing that it was a real payment from the IRS (you’re not alone!) you can call this number to get a new card sent to you (it’s free): 800-240-8100 to request a replacement. To request a new card, press option 2 when prompted.
  - Note that the cards were sent in a plain envelope from “Money Network Cardholder Services.”

• To avoid paying fees on a debit card you can, move the money from the card to your bank account. MetaBank, which issues the cards says instructions for the most recent debit card are coming, but based on previous rounds, you would have to use the Money Network Mobile App or go online to eipcard.com to transfer the stimulus payment.
• You can also use the card at an ATM, but to avoid fees, you’ll have to find a machine that’s “in-network.” It’s similar to how you can avoid an ATM fee by using one operated by your own financial institution. If you use a foreign or “out-of-network” machine, you may be charged two fees, one by MetaBank and one by the operator of the ATM. Be sure to click the box to find a “surcharge-free” ATM.

You may be able to qualify for unemployment insurance if you lost income - even if you are still working - or if you are out of a job. If you haven't already, go to the website for your state unemployment insurance office to see if you qualify for the new, expanded unemployment insurance and get your application in. You can find the link to your state office here: https://boilermakers.org/members/resources/state-unemployment-links

Many people who don’t qualify for regular unemployment are eligible for these new payments—almost everyone who has lost work, (either a job or hours), independent contractors and anyone who had to stop working because of a health threat to themselves or relatives should be eligible. For example:

• If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or have symptoms of it and are seeking diagnosis;
• If a member of your household has been diagnosed with COVID-19;
• If you are providing care for someone diagnosed with COVID-19;
• If you are providing care for a child or other household member who can’t attend school or work because it is closed due to COVID-19;
• If you are quarantined or have been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine;
• If you were scheduled to start employment and do not have a job or cannot reach your place of employment as a result of a COVID-19 outbreak;
• If you have become the breadwinner for a household because the head of household has died as a direct result of COVID-19;
• If you had to quit your job as a direct result of COVID-19;
• If your place of employment is closed as a direct result of COVID-19.

If you are still working remotely and getting paid, or currently getting paid leave, or were working illegally, you would not qualify for the expanded unemployment.
If you haven't already, go to the website for your state unemployment insurance office to see if you qualify for the new, expanded unemployment insurance and apply. Find your state’s official unemployment website.
Answer these questions to understand what unemployment and paid leave benefits you may qualify for now.

We cannot tell you how much you will receive if you qualify for regular unemployment insurance: The amount varies by state, with most states replacing roughly half of a person’s income, up to a maximum amount.

The first $10,200 of any unemployment benefits you received in 2020 will not be taxed (if you earned under $150,000). If you’ve already filed your 2020 tax return and paid taxes on your unemployment you may need to file an amended return. But it’s possible the IRS will reimburse you automatically. Stay tuned.

If you already qualified for pandemic unemployment benefits, and still qualify based on your work status, you should get the additional payments quickly. But if you need to apply for unemployment benefits it will depend on where you live and how quickly the state processes your application. BUT the good news is that if you qualify, your payments will be retroactive so you'll get all the money you should have gotten all along!

If the state says it paid you too much money, it no longer will be required to try to get that money back. The state can decide to forgive the amount as long as the overpayment was not based on you providing false information.

• There is also an increase in the tax credit for child care, which now goes up to $4,000 for one child and $8,000 for two children, covering costs in 2021.
• You will get the tax credit even if you don’t owe any federal income taxes.

• Working people who don’t have dependent children and who have lower incomes may be eligible for the EITC, the Earned Income Tax Credit.
  - The credit was increased by Congress in March 21 and it now applies to everyone who is eligible who is above 18 years old. (It used to not be eligible if you were age 19-24 or older than 65).
  - To learn how to apply for the EITC when you file your income taxes go here.

• Congress has put more money into helping people pay the rent. You can find local and state programs by going here or here. There may also be money available to help pay utility and water bills.
• The priority for getting rental assistance will be for people who: have lower income than the average in your community; are at risk of becoming homeless; someone in the house is unemployed.

Most mortgage companies must let you put your mortgage payments on hold, with no penalties or fees, if you can’t pay in any way related to COVID.. The delay can be for at least 180 days and you can request another 180 days - a total of one year. No new fees, penalties or applications can be applied.

• These protections are for the big majority of mortgages, which are federally backed. To find out if your mortgage is federally backed, ask your mortgage company or check here
• Apply by calling your mortgage company.

When you are ready to start payments, ask for a plan that lets you catch up gradually, reduces your monthly payments, gives you longer to pay your mortgage and/or adds the missed payments to the end of your mortgage. You can ask to extend the payments to as much as 40 years.

What if your mortgage is not federally backed? You should still ask your bank for relief if you’re having trouble paying the mortgage.

• Call your bank or credit union to delay or reduce your mortgage or other loan. Below is information about what they may offer but just ask for what you need!!!
• Banks: https://www.aba.com/about-us/press-room/industry-response-coronavirus
• Credit unions: https://www.americascreditunions.org/

• If your mortgage is federally backed - almost all are - your bank can not foreclose before September 30th.
  - To find out if your mortgage is federally backed, ask your mortgage company or check here.
• If you got your mortgage with backing from the Federal Housing Administration - which allows low down-payments - the foreclosure moratorium is through September 30th.
• Remember - the first thing to do is call your mortgage company and ask to delay payments. Don’t hide because you are having trouble making the payment - that will make things worse. Call and ask to delay payments and set up a repayment plan.

Yes, although it depends on where you live and how much money you make.

Heating and cooling: Some states have moratorium on utility shutoffs. You can go here to learn about protections in  your state. You may also be able to get help paying your heating and cooling bills through the federal LIHEAP program. To check on the program in your state go here.

Broadband and telephone: The federal government has a new program to help people pay their monthly broadband bills. You may also be able to get help with a monthly phone bill.

You may be able to get up to $50 of your monthly broadband bill paid. This program includes many families who had higher-incomes but lost income because of COVID and other families who have lower-incomes or qualify for programs like school lunches or food stamps. You can learn more here, including how to apply.

Families with lower-incomes may also be able to get $9.25 taken off their monthly phone bill. Learn more here.

The short answer is maybe. The important thing to know is that except in a few cases, like mortgages and federally backed loans, this no-penalty delay is not automatic: you have to reach out to the places you owe money to and ask them for what you need. Call the lender and work it out. Don’t hide and don’t just skip payments.

Almost all student loan payments have been put on hold through September 30th. That means no payments and no interest charges. This applies to the 92% of student loans backed by the federal government.

• Click here to check who your loan servicer is and check on the status of your loan. Your servicer is the company to which you make your monthly payment.
• You can also call 1-800-433-3243 (TTY for the deaf or hearing-impaired 1-800-730-8913.)

If your student loan is not backed by the federal government and you are having trouble paying, you should ask your loan servicer to agree to put your payments on hold, without interest, as long as the federal government does.

For student loans, contact your servicer or call 1-800-4-FED-AID to find out if your payments have been suspended.

The important thing to know is that except in a few cases, like mortgages and federally backed loans, this no-penalty delay is not automatic: you have to reach out to the places you owe money to and ask them for what you need. Call the lender and work it out. Don’t hide and don’t just skip payments.

• You can find out how much your health insurance will cost by going here. Premiums may be very low - even zero - depending on your income, so be sure to check.
• If you now have coverage through the ACA and your income drops, you can lower your premiums and out-of-pocket costs.

Health insurance companies are not charging for COVID19 vaccines and testing. And some companies are also making other changes, like not charging co-payments for telemedicine or not needing prior-approval for COVID19 related care. Click here or call your health insurance company to find out more.

Learn more about how your health insurance company is covering COVID19 related care here.

If you haven't already, go to the website for your state unemployment insurance office to see if you qualify for SNAP benefits. Many states are allowing online applications for food stamps. Check with your state’s social services agency or your state’s SNAP office for information. Or go here to start.

Lot’s of us are turning to food banks, with our incomes down or out and food prices way up. The federal government is putting more money into food banks. To find a food bank near you go here.