Coronavirus, aka COVID-19, is wreaking havoc on the world as we know it. All over the United States, businesses have suspending operations, hours are being slashed, schools are closing and grocery store shelves are bare. In many ways, it feels like the end of the world as we know it.
As always, our primary concern is with the low income people across America who live paycheck-to-paycheck. Even if you avoid getting sick, you will not be able to escape the effects of the pandemic. It is wreaking absolute economic havoc on our country right now.
This is our master list of resources for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic. We are doing our best to update this article as frequently as possible, so please save this page and check back often.
In this list, we’re aggregating all of the coronavirus-related resources that we can find. Our list includes:
- How to get help with rent and bills
- How to get benefits, including unemployment
- Free stuff for nurses, doctors and truck drivers
- What to do if you run out of supplies
- …and more
We’re looking for freebies, deals, financial assistance and anything that can make things a little easier for you during this difficult time.
If you need something specific, please let me know and I’ll see what we can do.
Best of luck to you!
-Nicole
Keep reading below the image to see our resource list!
Get more cash in your pocket.
For most of our readers, the biggest concern is getting enough cash in your wallet to pay your bills. Here’s what we’ve found to help.
Stimulus Checks: Got questions about the stimulus checks? We’ve got answers! Check out our stimulus check FAQ here.
UPDATE: We know when your stimulus check will arrive! Click here for the schedule.
Get $50 from Expensify: Expensify has announced that they are going to help as many food stamps households as possible with up to $50 in reimbursements. If you have food stamps, you need to read this. (Please note that as of April 10th, 2020, they have run out of funding and are not accepting new participants until more funds become available. Be sure to check with Expensify for updates!)
Get free stuff with food stamps! If you have food stamps, don’t forget about the 450+ freebies and deals you can get with your food stamps card! Details here.
Nurses may qualify for grants! We’ve found a grant program, as well as 50+ freebies, for health care workers. Click here for details!
Need help with rent or mortgage payments because of COVID-19?
Avoiding homelessness is the main concern that many people have in this difficult economic time. If you need help with rent or mortgage payments, we’ve found relief.
Reach out to your landlord for relief. If you’re renting, use this template letter to reach out to your landlord for rent relief. It doesn’t hurt to try and we’ve had a lot of success with letters like this!
Here’s what you need to know about eviction moratoriums. Many areas have enacted moratoriums on evictions, meaning that landlords cannot start the eviction process against you until the moratorium ends. However, rent is still due and you may be evicted when the moratorium ends if you can’t pay the full amount due. Here’s the full list of areas that have enacted eviction moratoriums and what you need to know.
Live in HUD-backed housing? The US Department of Housing and Urban Development has rolled out coronavirus relief options, as well as some guidance on avoiding housing discrimination. You can find that information here. Also, if you receive Section 8 vouchers, you may be eligible to recalculate your rent.
Homeowners may qualify for relief. We’ve got the details on the CARES Act, as well as additional assistance offered by many private banks, in this article.
Need help with car payments, utilities and other debts?
Everyone is experiencing this pandemic together, and many companies are offering great relief programs. I personally had to negotiate with some of my bill collectors this month, and many of my providers offered to skip payments or accept half-payments through the duration of the crisis. Altogether, I received more than $2,000 in relief from various companies!
Utilities across the United States have pledged not to disconnect customers during the pandemic. Others are waiving late fees. For the full list of utility companies that are offering assistance during the pandemic, click here.
If you need additional help with your utility bills, click here for some great ways to save money and get free stuff from your utility companies!
Internet and cell phone providers have also pledged not to disconnect people during the pandemic. See the list of participating providers here.
If you do not currently have internet service from Comcast or Spectrum, you may be interested to know that they are offering 60 days of free internet service for eligible households with K-12 or college students!
If you aren’t eligible for that deal, you may be eligible for one of these other low income internet programs that start at $10/mo.
Auto loan payments may be suspended or deferred from certain lenders! Check our list to see if your company is participating in relief programs – and if you don’t see your company on the list, leave us a comment and let us know so we can look into it.
Student loan payments can be suspended during the coronavirus crisis. In fact, they may be suspended automatically. Here’s what you need to know.
Banks are waiving fees and offering other forms of assistance. Here’s a list of banks that are helping through the crisis.
College students: There are several companies offering assistance to impacted college students. Get the full list here.
Veterans: President Donald Trump has ordered the US Department of Veterans Affairs to stop withholding payments or benefits from veterans who have a debt to the federal agency. Your debt should be suspended automatically, but it would be wise to confirm this with the Veteran’s Debt Management Center (DMC) at 1-800-827-0648.
Can’t go to the store? If you have food stamps, you can shop online for groceries at these retailers!
Children may be eligible for food assistance. We’ve also found free meal sites and even restaurants offering free meals to children. Please note that both of these lists are currently being compiled but we have made them public during our research phase so that we can help as many people as possible, as quickly as possible.
Out of Toilet Paper? If you’ve run out of toilet paper and can’t get more, Della wrote a great guide about what you can do if you run out of toilet paper.
Living on pantry staples? We’ve found fun and innovative recipes for many cheap staples. Check these out!
Some people are out of work entirely and others have had their work impacted by the crisis.
Available Jobs: We’ve found a list of companies that are hiring more workers during the crisis. Here’s our list of nationwide and state-by-state businesses that are hiring during the pandemic.
Freebies for Truckers: Truckers are our heroes. As a thank you, many businesses and government agencies are stepping up to help. Can you take a moment to share this post about freebies for truckers?
Apply for Partial Unemployment: You may be eligible for partial unemployment. Click here to find out if you’re eligible and how to apply.
Please note that many state unemployment websites are crashing due to the extreme amount of traffic they are receiving. If you are unable to access the website right away, please try again later. I personally recommend trying at lower-traffic times, like the middle of the night.
We have found free online educational programs. Some of them must be claimed by teachers and then distributed to students, while others can be used by the family without requiring a teacher to set it up.
National Parks are waiving entrance fees during the coronavirus outbreak. Social distancing is important, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your quarantine in nature. Some of the most beautiful places in our country are inside National Parks. If you want to wait until the outbreak is over, be sure to check out this guide to getting a free or cheap National Parks pass!
Della wrote an article about how to not go crazy during social distancing, and Belinda followed up with a great post about how to stay connected with other people while social distancing.
Judy Martin
What about others that do not have school kids and don’t get food stamps or anything. I know these programs are great for those that do but the rest of us are just as effected by the Virus but no proposal at all on this has been mentioned like We don’t have bills or hardships due to having to spend money to buy extra to stay inside while coronavirus goes around. I do have concerns though about utility company offering not to disconnect during this does this mean the bill from the date they started this till the end will be forgiven or dismissed or is this just a delay and when this is over power bills will be adjusted to recoup the money owed or a huge power bill for excessive use during this? I would really appreciate an answer because I live on disability and can’t afford extra bills.
Linda
Are cell phone companies helping
John
Is straight talk doing any free internet service and phone service for unemployed workers
Breann
Hi i was wondering if you know of any type of help during the coronavirus for families who are currently homeless?
Kirsten
I am at high risk because of ms, high blood pressure, & asthma so my kids & I have all been quarantined for a month. Not to mention my oldest daughter has type 1 diabetes & shes at high risk also. I currently am in appeals for disability & have been unable to work since june 2015. Because of my disability, I haven’t filed taxes since 2016. My oldest kids have been layed off from their jobs. We r struggling to scrape by & now I’m worried I wont even get a stimulus check for myself let alone my 2 dependents. Does anybody have any advice? I’m open to suggestions or help anyone can give.
Sarah Ketcher
Go to TurboTax . Com and you can enter you DD info if you didn’t file 2018 taxes so it goes straight to the irs to be on file. Google TurboTax stimulus and you should easily find the page. Their is also the child tax credit and if you file as self employed and anything you did that made you money even babysitting, yard work, anything that totals over 400$ annually then you can not only file but it’s important you do because the EIC and child tax credit alone is awesome. Cleaning my moms house count. Anything that you can get paid for and is legal qualifies. The CTC is 1,000 or 2.000 I can’t remember I am still working on mine since ours is a nightmare due to losing all my husbands tools AGAIN from Imeda after we finally got out feet back from Harvey but their is always a light at the end of the tunnel we just sometimes need to get out the binoculars to see it and be reminded of how fortunate we all are esp in the midst of despair. I’ve been fighting with SS for 5 years and I have 20 years plus of documentation but most drs don’t want to get involved when it comes to disability and my Dad is a Surgeon and it was HIS idea. So there are good ones out there and just stay steady for yourself first and then your children. Help will come, just not as fast or easily as we sometimes want or expect. Good luck! I will be praying for y’all and the staff here to be able to continue to bless and help so many with every post. Also you can always visit gethuman.com for a list of phone numbers to like the IRS ect where you speak to a live person.
Breann
Hi. I was evicted from my apartment a few months ago. I currently am homeless and of course now it’s harder then ever to find a job and a day care! I have received a bill from my electric company staying if they don’t get the amount due within the next 10 days they will send it to collections. That’s the last thing I need right now do you know if anything that will help with past due bills that are going to be sent to collections
Patrecia Stewart
I am trying to help a friend who has been homeless for the past few years get his stimulus check. He could really use the help. Just last night he was rushed by the ambulance to the hospital with chest pains. He is a very nice and good hearted guy. If any one can tell me what I need to do to help him. Please email me.
Gus
Please explain to me how older people on fixed income are to rent during this virus when low income housing requirements are 3 times the rent how does this help!
Rachel
Hello is there a website I can go to that can help me fix or replace my windows. Thank you..
Hannah Benge
I will add house repairs to our research list. This is a great idea! Thanks! – Hannah
Colleen
I see articles that advertise “resturants /fast food places that take EBT”. But when I research these places, it doesn’t say if the snap funds need to be ‘cash’ or ‘food’. I only get food benefits. So how does a person find this information without calling. Most webites don’t give that info.
Hannah Benge
Yes. The restaurants that accept EBT on our list accept food benefits for people who qualify for the Restaurant Meals Program. Food snap benefits are exactly what you need! – Hannah