Mark Luigi Dacumos
We’re now well into 2021. Did we ever imagine that the coronavirus would still be here and impacting our everyday lives? Of course not, but it is. And since we can’t control the virus on our own, we have to do our best to live with it.
We were given some relief in the past to deal with the pandemic’s adverse economic impact. If eligible, we received unemployment benefits in addition to what our states offered, plus stimulus checks. And we also go to buy some time with protection against eviction.
Now, a lot of that relief has dried up. The extra unemployment is gone. Stimulus checks, while helpful, certainly didn’t last long or cover too many expenses. And those eviction protections can be gone at any minute, making us scramble to cover costs and pay our bills.
Instead of waiting for more stimulus checks or government assistance, it’s best to be proactive and reach out to whatever resources are available. While this list won’t showcase every form of help out there, you can use it to start getting back on your feet again until COVID-19 is gone for good.
Help Against Eviction
It’ll be impossible to get back on your feet if you’re living on the streets. To prevent this, you’ll need to see where your state stands on protection against eviction. To do so, use this handy tool.
By being informed, you’ll have more leverage against your landlord if they’re pressuring you to pay the rent despite a lack of income due to COVID-19 shutdowns.
Assistance Replacing Lost Income
As mentioned, those hefty extra unemployment benefits are long gone. You can still get Unemployment Insurance from your state, though, which could give you a bit of cash for expenses.
If you haven’t filed for unemployment yet, click here to find your state agency so you can begin the process.
Help Paying Your Utilities
While staying in your home and avoiding eviction is a priority, so is keeping those lights on.
Since utilities are a significant expense, you may need help with your bill until you can get your income back to normal.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program can offer utility assistance for low-income households. Qualify, and you can pay less for electricity. If you don’t qualify, contact your utility company and tell them your situation. They may be able to offer a payment plan to make this expense more manageable.
Using Usa.gov To Find Assistance
If you’re unfamiliar with the USA.gov website, now’s the time to get to know it better. Doing so will show you everything the government has to offer regarding assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
Get Instant Assistance From 211
We may have saved the best for last, as dialing 2-1-1 on your phone can instantly connect you with an operator. Once you get them on the phone, explain the assistance you need. They’ll know exactly who to contact locally so you can get help with finding food, getting into affordable housing, paying your bills, and much, much more.
