Unemployment Assistance
If you are out of work, Washington State’s Employment Security Department provides support services to individuals affected by COVID-19 in Washington.
The Employment Security Department has adopted a series of emergency rules to relieve the burden of temporary layoffs, isolation and quarantine for workers and businesses.
Trouble Paying Credit Cards
If you have seen a reduction in pay due to COVID-19 and are struggling to make your credit card or loan payments, contact your lender right away. Explain your situation and ask about hardship programs that may be available. Regulatory agencies have encouraged financial institutions to work with customers impacted by the coronavirus.
Credit card companies and lenders may be able to offer you a number of options to help you. This could include waiving certain fees like ATM, overpayments, and late fees, as well as allowing you to delay, adjust, or skip some payments.
Additional Resources:
- What Should I Do If I Can’t Pay My Credit Card Bills?
Information from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. - Debt Assistance: Find A Credit Counselor
A credit counselor may able to assist you with your debt problems. Contact one near you.
Trouble Paying Your Mortgage
If you do not have enough money in savings to cover your mortgage payment or rent, contact your lender or landlord immediately.
Don’t wait until you’re behind on payments. Lenders may work with you to waive late fees, set up a repayment plan or offer loan forbearance.
You can also contact the Washington Homeownership Hotline at 1.877.894.HOME for more information and assistance.
Additional Resources:
- If I Can’t Pay My Mortgage Loan, What Are My Options?
Information from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. - List of Housing Counseling Agencies in Washington
Housing counselors may be able to assist you with your needs. Contact a housing counselor near you.
Trouble Paying Rent
If you are unable to make your full rent payment, contact your landlord immediately and try to work out an agreement. The Department of Housing and Urban Development offers counseling from organizations that can help help you make the right decisions and point you towards the right resources.
On 03/18/2020, Governor Jay Inslee enacted a statewide moratorium on evictions of residential tenants for 30 days.
Additional Resources:
- Governor Jay Inslee Announces Temporary Moratorium on Residential Evictions
Governor Jay Inslee has announced a temporary moratorium on evictions. - Housing Counseling from HUD
Find a local housing counselor to help answer your questions.
Student Loans Deferment
If you’re having trouble making payments, contact your loan servicer as soon as possible. If you have a Federal Perkins Loan, contact your school. You can easily avoid the consequences of delinquency or default by staying in touch with your servicer or school.
Your servicer or school can provide information about deferment or forbearance options that allow you to temporarily stop making payments on your loans. You may also be able to change to a different repayment plan that would give you a lower monthly payment.
Additional Resources:
- Secretary DeVos Suspends Federal Student Loan Payments, Waives Interest During National Emergency
Information from the Department of Education. - Student Loan Deferment or Forbearance
Information from the Department of Education.
Short Term and Emergency Loans
Consider your options before taking out a high cost short term loan. Talk with your creditors to negotiate more time to pay bills, borrow from friends or family, or explore low interest loans offered by local banks and credit unions.
If you do take out a short term loan, make sure the lender is licensed with the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions and borrow only what you can afford to pay back.
Utilities Assistance
Governor Jay Inslee has called on all public utilities in Washington state to ensure the health and safety of their employees and the public by suspending disconnection tariffs for nonpayment during this emergency; waiving late fees for customers who are out of work or offering customers payment plans; and expanding bill assistance programs for customers who are economically impacted by this emergency. Many utility companies are already doing this. For assistance, contact your utility company.
Utility COVID-19 response pages:
Additional Resources:
- Utilities and Transportation Commission
Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission.
Insurance Issues
The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner has resources and information available for consumers who have insurance related questions.
- Washington State Office of the Insurance Commisioner – COVID-19 Resources
Information from the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commisioner.
Small Business Assistance and Loans
Help and assistance for small businesses is available from the local and federal government.
- Small Business Disaster Loan Assistance Program
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to Washington small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) - $5 Million in Small Grants from Governor’s Strategic Funds
Up to $5 million of the Governor’s Strategic Reserve Funds will be made available as small grants to small businesses across the state to help prevent closure due to COVID-19. The state Department of Commerce will coordinate an application process. - City of Seattle Small Business Stabilization Fund
Approximately $2.5 million is available for the City of Seattle Small Business Stabilization Fund, an emergency fund that provides working capital grants in amounts up to $10,000 to qualifying small businesses. Eligibility criteria and how to apply is here: seattle.gov/office-of-economic-development/small-business/small-business-programs-/stabilization-fund-
Avoiding Scams
Consumers should be on alert for increased fraud during the COVID-19 outbreak. Consumers should be vigilant about protecting their finances and should not share financial or other sensitive information with anyone who contacts you unsolicited.
Here are some tips to help you keep the scammers at bay:
- Your bank or credit union should not ask for you financial account details via email. If you receive an email, contact your bank or credit union with the contact information listed on their website.
- Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know. They could download viruses onto your computer or device.
- Watch for emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or experts saying that have information about the virus. For the most up-to-date information about the Coronavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
- Ignore online offers for vaccinations. There currently are no vaccines, pills, potions, lotions, lozenges or other prescription or over-the-counter products available to treat or cure Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) — online or in stores.
- Do your homework when it comes to donations, whether through charities or crowdfunding sites. Don’t let anyone rush you into making a donation. If someone wants donations in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money, don’t do it.
Additional Resources
- Coronavirus.wa.gov – Washington State Coronavirus Response
- COVID-19 resource list for impacted Washington businesses and workers
Information from the Governor’s office. - Employment Security Department – Information for Workers Impacted by COVID-19
Resources and information from the Washington Employment Security Department. - Protect Yourself Financially from the Coronavirus
Information from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. - Job Interrupted —A To-Do List for Tough Times
Information from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. - Financial Peace of Mind in the Age of Coronavirus
Information from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. - Avoiding Coronavirus Scams
Information from the Federal Trade Commission.
