Housing, Food & Transportation

What should I do if I'm having trouble paying my mortgage?

What should I do if I am having trouble making my FHA-insured mortgage payments?

If you are struggling to make your mortgage payment on your FHA-insured mortgage because of COVID-19, help is available, but you must take action.

Is there mortgage assistance for someone who has a FHA, VA or an USDA mortgage loan?

The CARES Act provides a mortgage payment forbearance option for all borrowers who, either directly or indirectly, suffer a financial hardship due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) national emergency.

No documentation is required to prove your hardship beyond your assertion that you are suffering from such a hardship. An initial forbearance period of up to 180 days may be approved upon a borrower’s request. However, if you can still make your mortgage payments, you should continue to do so.

Can my landlord evict me if I can't pay my rent?

Protections for renters during COVID-19

There are resources and professionals who can help with your housing or financial situation, including nonprofit credit and housing counselors.

Where can I find help with my rent?

If you’re a renter looking for help with housing costs, you’re not alone. State, tribal, and local organizations distribute money to help renters struggling to keep up with rent and other bills. The Consumer Federal Protection Bureau (CFPB) has updated information regarding renter’s rights, protections and assistance. If you’re a renter having trouble paying your rent, utilities or other housing costs, help may be available.

Find help with rent and utilities (in English and En Español)

Additional Resources

Are there resources available to assist me with my utility bills?

LIHEAP ( Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) is a federally-funded program that helps low-income households pay their home heating and cooling bills. Customers can use these resources to stay informed about program changes in their area and not miss opportunities for assistance.

If you receive LIHEAP assistance or need assistance with utilities visit the link below to see if you are eligible for LIHEAP assistance. Click on the LIHEAP Clearinghouse State Snapshots web page to check with your local agency to learn what changes may be occurring in your area.

Can the energy company disconnect my power if I can't pay my bill?

Many utilities that sell electricity and gas around the United States are suspending disconnections of customers who do not pay their bills during the Coronavirus crisis, or are being ordered to suspend disconnections by regulators or other government officials. But this varies by state and locality.

Learn what’s happening in your area.

What should I do if I have experienced housing discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Federal fair housing laws protect people from discrimination, including harassment and intimidation, in housing and related services on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status and disability. Laws prohibit discrimination in nearly all housing transactions and residential settings across the nation, including rental housing, nursing homes, permanent shelters and other places where people live and receive services together.

If you feel you have been a victim of discrimination, this document linked below provides information about your rights during the COVID-19 pandemic and explains how to file a complaint.

Will the stimulus payment, or the extra unemployment payment of $600 per week, change my HUD assistance?

Explore HUD guidance for renters and homeowners.

Where can I find help if I am at risk of being homeless?
Are you a landlord who needs assistance?
How can I find free food assistance near where I live?

food bank is a nonprofit that safely stores millions of pounds of food that is delivered to local food programs, like a food pantry. Food pantries can be either permanent locations or mobile distributions. Food pantries are a reliable source for free, healthy and nutritious food in a neighborhood, and they often provide other critical resources such as nutrition education, health screenings, seasonal food baskets and back to school supplies. A community food pantry’s mission is to directly serve local residents who suffer from hunger and food insecurity within a specified area.

Before visiting your food bank or pantry location, contact them by phone and/or email to verify that their information is correct and receive any updates.

Before visiting your food bank  or food pantry location, contact them by phone and/or email to verify that their information is correct and receive any updates.

How do I see if free or reduced-priced meals are available for my child?

With the possibility of some schools remaining closed, parents opting for home schooling or schools possibly closing in the future due to the COVID-19 pandemic, children who rely on free or reduced-price meals at school may be able to continue to get meals that they would have normally received at school. USDA has put together a USDA Meals for Kids Site Finder. Families can use this tool to find directions to nearby sites, as well as hours of operation and contact information. Rules vary by location, but generally meals may be taken home and parents or guardians may pick up meals for their children if the state allows.

USDA also provides a National Hunger Hotline and can be reached Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273) [Spanish].

Do you need assistance to have enough food in your household?

See if your family may be eligible for food assistance (SNAP).

Does my state allow for the online purchase of food for delivery using my SNAP benefits as payment?

Learn more and find out if your state allows you to purchase food online for delivery with SNAP.

How can I learn about accessible, affordable transportation options available in my area?

View More Resources

Employment + Unemployment

COVID-19 Stimulus

Public Benefits

Managing Money

Identity Theft

National Disability Institute
LifeCents

The Financial Resilience Center was developed by National Disability Institute with generous funding from the Wells Fargo Foundation.

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