UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS INFORMATION
APPLY FOR WISCONSIN UNEMPLOYMENT:
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS: HOW TO APPLY & ELIGIBILITY FAQ’S
FAQ’S ABOUT WISCONSIN UNEMPLOYMENT RELATED TO COVID-19:
ECONOMIC IMPACT PAYMENT INFORMATION
ECONOMIC IMPACT PAYMENT: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
ECONOMIC IMPACT PAYMENT FAQ’S
ECONOMIC IMPACT PAYMENT SCAM ALERT
If you receive calls, emails, or other communications claiming to be from the Treasury Department and offering COVID-19 related grants or stimulus payments in exchange for personal financial information, or an advance fee, or charge of any kind, including the purchase of gift cards, please do not respond. These are scams. Please contact the FBI at www.ic3.gov so that the scammers can be tracked and stopped.
TAX DEADLINE EXTENSION INFORMATION
TAX DEADLINE INFORMATION
IRS “PEOPLE FIRST” INITIATIVE
FOOD ASSISTANCE INFORMATION
FOOD SHARE BENEFITS
WIC
FOOD BANKS
Feeding America Food Pantry Locator: https://feedingamericawi.org/find-help/pantry-locator/
Interactive Map to Find Closest Food Bank to You:
UTILITY BILLS ASSISTANCE INFORMATION
Many utility companies (power, gas, water) are keeping services on for people who can’t pay their bills because of the virus. Call your utility company directly for more information. If you’re deciding between paying a bill and buying food or essential items, call first! You may still owe past balances once the payment deferment period ends. Be sure to ask if and when you will need to pay the balances!
UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
UNITED WAY COVID-19 COMMUNITY ECONOMIC RELIEF FUND: 1-866-211-9966
WE ENERGIES
WEC Energy Group, which manages WE Energies, recently stated that it will not disconnect service to any residential customers at this time. If someone is struggling to pay his or her bills, he or she is asked to contact WEC Energy Group to arrange a payment plan. To reach customer service, people can call 800-242-9137.
WE Energies “Contact Us” Webpage: https://www.we-energies.com/home/contactus.htm
RENT ASSISTANCE
RENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
LIST BY COUNTY (IN WISCONSIN)
EVICTION DEFERMENT INFORMATION
On March 27, 2020 Governor Evers issued a state wide order banning evictions for 60 days. However, rent due will still accumulate and will need to be paid following the lift of the ban. Widely reported advice is to pay what you can to avoid a large lump sum becoming due after the order is lifted as well as possible eviction if you are unable to pay it.
Here is the full executive order: https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/WIGOV/2020/03/27/file_attachments/1412941/EO%2015%20Ban%20on%20Evictions%20and%20Foreclosures%20PDF.pdf
HELPFUL ARTICLES
MORTGAGE INFORMATION
Officials at several banks including Nicolet, Wells Fargo and Associated Bank said they will handle individual questions and situations on a case-by-case basis. Wells Fargo has halted foreclosure sales and evictions and has donated money to address food, housing and other basic needs.
TAKE ROOT MILWAUKEE
In response to COVID-19, many banks, credit unions and mortgage holding companies have created customer assistance programs, which allow borrowers to suspend his or her mortgage payment for up to 180 days. Take Root Milwaukee noted that in some cases it is up to the borrower to contact his or her servicer to request a payment plan. The organization has created a list of banks and other servicers’ contact information. Visit the Take Roots Milwaukee website or call 414-921-4149 for assistance.
Take Root Milwaukee Website: https://takerootmilwaukee.com/have-your-mortgage-payments-postponed/
HEALTH INSURANCE ASSISTANCE INFORMATION
BADGER CARE
“OBAMA CARE”
You may be eligible to enroll even though “open enrollment” is over. Certain qualifying events such as loss of a job and subsequently loss of insurance are considered a “qualifying event”. Qualifying events usually result in eligibility for enrollment.
Here is a helpful article:
Here is the link to enroll:
CREDIT CARD DEBT PAYMENT DEFERMENT
Credit card issuers have programs that can help cardholders when they need assistance – these often kick in during a disaster. Companies could extend a payment deadline, lower the annual percentage rate (APR) on your card or waive a late fee.
STUDENT LOAN ASSISTANCE
WHAT THE CARES ACT MEANS FOR FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS
FORBERANCE INFO FOR STUDENTS, BORROWERS AND PARENTS
SUMMARY OF THE CARES ACT
FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT
HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY SPECIFIC PROGRAMS & ASSISTANCE
RESTAURANT EMPLOYEES RELIEF FUND
The Restaurant Employee Relief Fund was created to help restaurant industry employees experiencing extraordinary hardship in the wake of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. Through this Fund, grants will be made to restaurant industry employees who have been impacted by COVID-19, including a decrease in wages or loss of employment. Grants will be awarded as soon as possible to those individuals who meet the prescribed eligibility criteria, as reviewed and verified by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). This Fund is operated by the NRAEF, whose mission is to attract, empower and advance today’s and tomorrow’s restaurant and foodservice workers.
Grants will be awarded as soon as possible to those individuals who meet the prescribed eligibility criteria, as reviewed and verified by the NRAEF. Subject to the availability of funds contributed to the Fund, a one-time grant of $500 will be disbursed directly to the applicant following NRAEF’s review and confirmation that their submitted application meets the prescribed guidelines. Awards will be limited to one grant per person. All grant approvals are at the discretion of the NRAEF. Applications opened on April 2, 2020.
Here is a link to the fund’s page: https://rerf.us/
ANOTHER ROUND ANOTHER RALLY
Another Round, Another Rally is a nonprofit financial resource for the hospitality industry. They provide reimbursement grants and immersive educational scholarships to further the education of underrepresented voices in the community, and supply emergency assistance to those employed in restaurants, bars, and hotels who have fallen on unexpected hardship.
Here is a link to the fund’s page / to apply for assistance: https://anotherroundanotherrally.org/?fbclid=IwAR2NYl5YUCDvpIjCYRjxzvxaoMrYOLW3DWANoQKDJEKZT-yFf6x2OsCXias
LIFT YOUR SPIRITS
Make a video in which you mix your favorite drink, say a toast to those affected in the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industry, and post it to your social media accounts using #LiftYourSpirits. The last step is to challenge your friends to do the same and to send a gift to the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) that turns a tip into a donation for restaurant, foodservice and hospitality workers impacted by the COVID-19 crisis!
Here is a link to the fund’s page: https://www.liftyourspirits.org/
UNITED STATES BARTENDER’S GUILD (USBG)
Bartender emergency assistance program available to all bartenders or the spouse or child of a bartender.
Here is a link to the fund’s page: https://www.usbgfoundation.org/beap
OFW EMERGENCY FUND
ProvidES free, cash assistance to restaurant workers, delivery drivers and other tipped workers and service workers — who are seeing their income decline during this disaster, or aren’t able to work because of quarantines or other health concerns.
Here is a link to the fund’s page: https://ofwemergencyfund.org/help
CORE GIVES
CORE grants support to children of food and beverage service employees navigating life-altering circumstances.
Here is a link to the fund’s page: https://coregives.org/
Comments