Please click on the bolded headlines for more information about each PROGRAM

Coronavirus Tax Relief and Economic Impact Payments

The IRS is committed to helping you get your Economic Impact Payment as soon as possible. The payments, also referred to by some as stimulus payments, are automatic for most taxpayers. No further action is needed by taxpayers who filed tax returns in 2018 and 2019 and most seniors and retirees.  If you have not filed taxes in the past two years, you can provide your information to the IRS through the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info site.  If you have not yet received your stimulus check, it’s probably still on the way and you can track its status with the IRS’s “Get My Payment App”.

Unemployment Insurance

The State of Illinois administers the Unemployment Insurance program.  For more information on unemployment insurance, go to the Illinois Department of Employment Security website or go directly to the application.

Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC)
FPUC provides an additional $600 each week in 100% federally funded benefits to anyone entitled to regular state unemployment benefits. FPUC is available for weeks beginning on or after March 29, 2020 and continuing through the week ending July 25, 2020. Benefits will be applied automatically to claimants who qualify

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)- including self-employed and independent contractors
PUA provides 100% federally funded unemployment benefits for individuals who are unemployed for specified COVID-19-related reasons and are not covered through other avenues in the unemployment insurance program, including self-employed sole proprietors and independent contractors. IDES will have this program fully implemented by the week of May 11.

Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)
PEUC Provides up to 13 weeks’ worth of 100 percent federally funded benefits to individuals who have exhausted their rights to regular state unemployment benefits of up to 26 weeks in Illinois.  PEUC will be retroactive to March 29 once implemented.

EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE

If you’ve been unable to pay your rent due to COVID-19, The Illinois Housing Development Authority is here to help you. It’s important to continue paying as much of your rent as you can. Also, talk to your landlord on a regular basis about your situation. If you are approved, you will receive a grant of $5,000 that will be sent to your landlord to be applied against your rent.

GUIDE FOR CONSUMERS STRUGGLING TO REPAY THEIR DEBTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Illinois  consumers  should  be  aware  of  the resources designed  to help them manage  financial  difficulties caused by the  COVID-19 pandemic.  The  options available depend on the type of debt you have and who your lender is.  The State has produced a summary of some  of  the  major relief  options for  mortgages,  student  loans,  and other types of debt that might be available to you and places that you can go for help.

When the economic impact of COVID-19 hits home

The Federal Trade Commission has created a special page, Financial Impact of the Coronavirus, where they’ve compiled dollars-and-cents tips for consumers, as well as new information specifically addressing the effect of COVID-19 on personal budgets.

Taxpayer Relief and Assistance

The Illinois Department of Revenue has established this web page to provide information and resources to help Illinois taxpayers, businesses, and others affected by the coronavirus. For up-to-date information on how Illinois is combating the Coronavirus outbreak, visit the State of Illinois Coronavirus Response Site. This page will be updated as new information is available.

WorkNet DuPage

If you were laid off from your job, WorkNet is providing grants and training to help you get employed again.

Federal Trace Commission Consumer Information Blog

The Federal Trade Commission has produced a Consumer Information Blog with useful articles about consumer financial issues, including dealing with debt collectors, managing bills during the pandemic, and stimulus payment scams.

ComEd Power Restoration and community resources

ComEd provides several resources for residents and businesses.  ComEd is taking steps to help ensure all its residential customers have access to electric service during this critical time. To support all people, including school children, who are now at home during the day, ComEd will work with residents whose service was disconnected prior to the company’s March 13 suspension of service disconnections to have service restored.  Additionally, ComEd is pleased to announce that it has filed for an $11.5 million delivery rate decrease for next year, the third decrease in a row. They are also excited to announce that they are waiving of new late payment charges through at least June 1.  There are additional resources available, as well.

Executive Order on Telehealth

All health insurers regulated by the Department of Insurance are required to cover telehealth services and reimburse providers at the same rate as in-person visits and are prohibited from imposing any cost-sharing for in-network providers. For more information, please review the Governor’s Executive Order.

Payment Relief for Student Loan Borrowers

Under a new initiative, Illinoisans with commercially-owned Federal Family Education Program Loans or privately held student loans who are struggling to make their payments due to the pandemic will be eligible for relief. Borrowers in need of assistance must immediately contact their student loan servicer to identify the options that are appropriate to their circumstances. Relief options include:

• Providing a minimum of 90 days of forbearance
• Waiving late payment fees
• Ensuring that no borrower is subject to negative credit reporting
• Ceasing debt collection lawsuits for 90 days
• Working with borrower to enroll them in other borrower assistance programs, such as income based repayment.

Additional Coronavirus Relief Funds

Money Magazine has compiled a list of 25 funds which can help workers affected by the pandemic.