Have you lost your job because of the pandemic? Were your hours reduced? Then you have the chance to file for unemployment benefits where you live. Plus, you may also get special emergency benefits.
The federal government is giving an extra $600/WEEK in unemployment insurance to people who have lost their jobs as far back as January 27. So if you meet the unemployment requirements, you can get access to extra cash during this hard time.
But that’s not everything the government is doing to help. They’re also making it easier to get unemployment benefits than ever before.
Are you on a leave of absence (furlough)? Are you a freelance worker or self-employed? Are you taking care of someone with the virus? If you said “yes” to any of these and can show that the pandemic has affected your ability to work, you can apply for unemployment benefits today.
In the past, you could only claim unemployment benefits for up to 26 weeks. But due to the pandemic, you can get an unemployment extension for an extra 13 weeks! So if you lost your job, apply online through your state to get unemployment benefits ASAP.
Stocking up on groceries is key during this pandemic. You want to make sure you have the food you need to keep your family safe and healthy. But has the pandemic made it more difficult for you to buy groceries?
If you need assistance getting food for you or your family, food stamps can help.
The food stamps requirements are simple. If your family makes less than 30% over the federal poverty line (which is around $28,000 for a family of three) and has less than $2,250 in the bank, you can apply for food stamps.
And if you qualify, the government is making it even easier to keep getting food stamps benefits during the pandemic:
- Children who would have gotten free or reduced meals from school can still get these benefits from state agencies.
- Some interview requirements to get food stamps are being waived.
- Deadlines to renew food stamps benefits are being waived.
- Working adults can now get food stamps for longer.
- Extra emergency benefits will be available in states with an outbreak.
Think you’re eligible for food stamps? Don’t wait. Apply online through your state now.
The federal government is giving away $1000s to people and their families in response to the pandemic.
With the recent CARES Act, you can get stimulus checks from Trump THIS MONTH. The 2019 stimulus checks are worth up to $1,200 for individuals and up to $2,400 for married couples.
Plus, if you have kids who are 16 or younger, the government will add on an extra $500 per child to your stimulus check.
To get the full amount of government assistance, your income needs to be:
- $75,000 or less as a single adult.
- $112,500 or less as the head of your household.
- $150,000 or less as a married couple.
But even if you made more than this, don’t worry! You can still get a Trump stimulus check.
If you’re single and earned between $75,000 and $99,000 (or between $150,000 and $198,000 for married couples), you can get a reduced payment.
These numbers will be taken from your 2018 or 2019 IRS tax return.
If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or have small children and are having trouble affording food, you can apply for WIC benefits today.
To meet the WIC requirements, you just have to apply in the state where you live, make less than a certain amount of money, and be at risk nutritionally or medically. This means that you or your child would have trouble staying healthy without women, infants and children (WIC) benefits.
Because of the pandemic, the government is making some rules for getting WIC more flexible. And they’re spending millions of extra dollars to make sure that as many people as possible can get help.
Right now, when you sign up for WIC and get your WIC application approved, you don’t have to pick up benefit coupons in person. You can stay safe and remote and still register for the WIC help you need. Then you can use those benefits to get the food you and your child need.
If the pandemic has hurt your finances, you might qualify for free or low-cost government medical assistance.
Medicaid gives free or cheap health insurance to people and families who meet the Medicaid eligibility requirements. Depending on your state, you just have to make less than a certain amount of money and meet the state residency and U.S. citizenship requirements to get Medicaid coverage.
Worried you still make too much money to apply for Medicaid? Your kids might still be able to get free or low-cost coverage from the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). A lot of states will let you apply for both at the same time to see which benefits you can get.
You can’t afford to not be able to pay medical bills during the pandemic. Luckily, if you qualify for Medicaid, the government can take care of these important expenses for you. Apply for Medicaid online through your state today to see if you qualify.
If you’re staying at home due to the pandemic, odds are your energy bill will go up. The good news is you can get government assistance to help pay for the cost of heating and cooling your home.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) gives financial help to people who make less than a certain amount of money in each state. Depending on your situation, you might also be able to get help in stopping your utilities from being shut off.
Need benefits from the energy assistance program ASAP? You can fill out the LIHEAP application online to speed up the process.
Has the outbreak made it harder to pay your rent? If you and your household make less than a certain amount of money, you can apply for Section 8 housing assistance.
Section 8 gives out housing vouchers that will cover a big portion of your rent. The program gives you the chance to limit how much you spend on housing to just 30 percent of your budget.
By meeting all the Section 8 requirements and having your Section 8 application approved, you get the chance to save big on housing and focus your money on other essentials.
If your household is selected from the waiting list, then you can pick an apartment, townhouse or other home from a Section 8 housing list.