Bonus Episode - Gone Now Rona
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times… Is this what Charles Dickens was thinking about? Everyone, everywhere is feeling the impact of the coronavirus. And the only thing consistent about the information we receive on a daily basis is that it’s changing. In this bonus episode, the divas are providing you with resources that can help our D&D Fam navigate the wealth of information that is being received.
Mentally, as you are trying to gain a grasp on so many of the FUTURE unknowns, your worries, and fears…Diva Lee says it best in this episode. Ask yourself, what do you know to be true NOW? Take this time to do some of the things you’ve always said “if I just had the time I would….” Spend more time with your family, take a walk, and of course tune in to Divas and Duckets™!
The resources below are not comprehensive and we strongly urge you to check with your local resources if you need help. It is most likely that in the current environment there has been a resource, program, or tool to assist in aiding you with your financial need.
Federal/Government Resources:
Small Business Administration - Disaster Loan Assistance
FEDERAL April 15 tax deadline extended until July 15th. Check with your state to see if their deadline has been extended as well.
Stimulus Check (updated as of 3/25/2020 - bill has passed)
Tiered based on family size and income
$1200 per adult up to $75,000. $2400 for married couples, joint income up to $150,000
$500 per child
Phased out at $99,000
Federal Reserve Interest Rate Cuts (by BankRate)
Things to consider:
Mortgage Refinancing: Refinance will not be a 0% FIXED rate. You will receive an ARM (adjustable rate mortgage). WHEN rates increase, will you be able to afford payments at the new rate? Closing costs, loan origination fees, transfer fees... Will these upfront costs outweigh the benefit of your refi?
Credit Cards: Want to transfer from your high interest card to a lower interest rate card? Consider balance transfer fees and annual fees on new card. Rate after any 0% introductory rate expires.
Department Housing and Urban Development - suspending all foreclosures and evictions for at least 60 days. FHA insured mortgages are eligible.
Veteran Affairs resource
State/Local Resources:
Courthouse - Call up to the court in your county to see if your case is still on the docket. Most cases have been rescheduled with the exception of superior court cases where a jury has already been picked or emergency cases involving family (DSS, involuntary commitments, etc.). NC will stop eviction and foreclosure hearings for the next 30 days. Be sure to call if you already have a hearing scheduled to see if it was cancelled.
Life Care - can help you find many resources such as day care availability, transportation, etc.
Unemployment Benefits - Removed requirement that you have to be out of work for a certain amount of time before you can seek unemployment. Waived requirement that you have to prove you've been looking for work but unable to obtain it.
Fitness Facility - most gyms have been shut down. Check to see if your fitness location has suspended payments during this time.
Utilities/Creditors:
Wi-Fi
Comcast, AT&T, and Charter/Spectrum offering free access to their public hotspots
Charter/Spectrum - offering free Spectrum broadband and wi-fi internet to househoulds with K-12 students or college student for new customers. Current customers will receive free increased speeds.
AT&T, Comcast - suspending termination of wireless, home phone, broadband service. Waiving late fees. Pausing data plans and providing unlimited data.
Verizon - suspending termination of wireless, home phone, broadband service. Waiving late fees.
T-Mobile - providing unlimited data to current customers for next 60 days.
Hyundai - Hyundai Assurance Job Loss Program. 6 months of car payments to new buyers who lose their jobs. 90 days payment deferral for new purchases.
Ford - offering 90 days payment deferral for new purchases. Potential delay of payments to provide relief.
Duke Energy - Suspending disconnections for non-payments.
Enterprise - Reducing minimum age for renting a car to 18 through May 31st to make it easier for students to get home to their family due to college closings.
Company Resources:
Call your HR division to see what benefits are available from your employer. The government has passed bills that will reimburse employers for offering certain benefits related to COVID-19.
Banking Industries - extensive list of banks and what they are offering (by CNBC)
Wells Fargo - 1-800-219-9739
Suspending residential property foreclosure sales, evictions and involuntary auto repossessions. Covering virtual medical visits 100%.
Childcare: non-exempt employees who are not working from home can be reimbursed up to $100 a day for childcare payments, including child care from personal network. 5 paid consecutive working days to find child care. All employees eligible for in-home child care.
Fifth Third - 1-800-972-3030
Payment deferrals on vehicles, credit cards, mortgages and small business payments related to financial hardship. Suspending repossession, foreclosure activity for next 60 days, Waiver of fees for 90 days. and possible waiver of associated fees.
Ally - 1-866-401-4742
Bank of America - 888.287.4637
JP Morgan Chase - 1-800-848-9380
Medical Benefit Changes
Free testing for coronavirus regardless of where test is performed including emergency room.
If affected, covering quarantine period without having to use PTO.
Free Meals:
Check with your local county/community for updated listings.
Local restaurants are providing free lunches.
Charlotte, NC and surrounding counties:
McDonald's
Mecklenburg and Iredell County: Mon - Fri, 11am to 2pm, children 12 and under accompanied by adult, drive through
Certain locations in Cabarrus County - 11am to 1amPublic School
Mecklenburg 10:30am to 12:30pm. Will make arrangements to deliver meals
Gaston County 10:30 to noon
Cabarrus County time based on location, free breakfast and lunch
Unemployment Opportunities
Amazon hiring 100,000 new roles
Walmart hiring 150,000 new roles through May
CVS hiring 50,000 new roles
Walgreens fill 9,500 existing openings
7-Eleven hiring 20,000 new roles
Pizza Hut fill 30,000 existing openings
Support.com - U.S.-based company specializing in customer, technical, and call center support hiring an unlimited number of remote support agent roles.
Publix - hiring thousands of associates by the end of March to fill positions in stores and distribution centers
As always if you have a personal financial situation you would like to write in about and have your letter read anonymously on our podcast, head over to our contact form and select the dear diva option or email us directly at divaadvice@gmail.com. We’d love to hear from you! Be sure to follow us on Instagram where you can see some of the resources mentioned and stay connected with us divas!