Here are the basics of the CARES Emergency Relief Act
I am receiving tons of messages asking for help blazing a trail through the relief programs so this blog will continue to be updated every time I answer a new question.
How Covid 19 has Affected me?
I started the year with high hopes. We had a medium size build and January was normal but then in Feb. my partner panicked from the virus and he choose to withhold my pay. I can’t blame him. The world is a survival of the fittest society more than ever now.
Basically I’m seeing this everywhere I look because people have panicked and they don’t know which way we are going to go from day to day.
For the same reason, I had two deals scheduled that have postponed their remodels and no one is showing any interest in scheduling free remodel consults.
My publishing and art orders are way down. And we have not had any donations to the foundation. We dare not even ask for funding over $100 until this is resolved.
Our shop sales decreased week to week and now there is a Mandatory Lock down so there will be no sales income until that is lifted.The STAY AT HOME ORDER was just activated for our counties and all the major city counties initiated this or are initiating it shortly. FOOD or work related travel only.
One positive out of this is that my computer consults are increasing. I am preparing a few advertisements to make up for the remodeling shortage.
I am also having more time to focus on my self care, wellness, gardening, art creation, house/vehicle chores and writing etc.
HOW ARE YOU BEING AFFECTED?!
Here are the answers to the CARES ACT and stimulus questions. Keep asking and I will keep updating.
SELF EMPLOYED STIMULUS (Use CareerOneStop.org)
$600 plus your states weekly unemployment amount
Section 2102 (II) Explains:
Covered Individuals INCLUDE:
(II) is self-employed, is seeking part-time employment, does not have sufficient work history, or otherwise would not qualify for regular unemployment or extended benefits under State or Federal law or pandemic emergency unemployment compensation under section 2107 and meets the requirements of subclause (I)
(FULL CARES ACT @ Congress.gov) https://tinyurl.com/ty8qbkv
https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-stimulus-package-questions-answers.html
DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE program (File with your state office)
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/20/625.6
Everyone gets at least 13 weeks, along with the extra $600 payment.
Self-employed workers will also be eligible for the additional $600 weekly benefit provided by the federal government.
FAMILY CARE STIMULUS (File your taxes today!)
$1200 ea. plus $500 per kid deposits are being processed and deposited within 3-4 weeks for those who have filed taxes or file ASAP.
https://www.npr.org/2020/03/25/821514231/whats-in-it-for-you-1-200-checks-13-weeks-of-unemployment-payments-and-more
RENT & UTILITY ASSISTANCE
Section 4023: Interest FREE / Penalty FREE Loan Forbearance of Residential Mortgage
https://tinyurl.com/ty8qbkv
Mortgage payments and thus existing rent payments are to be suspended for 30 days and can be extended up to 2 additional 30 day periods interest & penalty free. The borrower just needs to write their loan officer and explain Covid19 has put their tennants or selves out of work and into a financial hardship. LOAN HOLDERS MUST CALL and request the 30 day extension prior to the 30 day expiration OF EACH FORBEARANCE PERIOD. Loans are simply extended as if this forbearance period never existed.
FOR LOAN HOLDERS: IF your loan officer gives you any trouble, get it in writing from an email with them and then I can help you get it higher up the ladder for approval.
Eviction efforts are outlawed as explained in 4023 (d) until the forbearance expires.
*In addition, most of the utility and phone companies have informed customers that their payments can be suspended without disruption of service, fee’s and interest.
IF you have children, you just declare that you have to stay home to home school and provide daycare and this protects you by law from loan payments, rent and from being fired from employment. There are plenty of other reasons COVID19 has caused us economic hardship so the eligibility requirements are extremely vague.
What ever your situation is out there, please stay safe and blessings of health to everyone out there!
-Tim
For more details see: https://freehelpinghands.wordpress.com/2020/03/12/life-wisdom/
The Helping Hands Network Blog 