Financial assistance for people affected by the coronavirus

• Unemployment. You may be eligible for unemployment if your employer has shut down or is unable to offer your normal hours. Additionally, you can file for unemployment if you are under mandatory quarantine or have a confirmed case of COVID-19.
• Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The Families First Act is effective April 2, 2020. It states that employers must provide paid leave under an extension of Family and Medical Leave Act for up to 12 weeks at two-thirds the normal pay rate. Employers must also provide emergency paid sick leave at either your normal pay rate or two-thirds, depending on the reason you’re out of work. Read the full Families First Act to see if you qualify.
• Relief for taxpayers. Due to the state of emergency declared by Governor Ivey, residents of Alabama have been given extensions on their state tax payments as well as waived penalties for certain types of tax liabilities.

In addition, there’s a mandatory 14-day quarantine period to help reduce the spread of the virus for those who have traveled outside of Alaska — either between states or internationally.

• Unemployment Insurance. Unemployment has been extended to residents of Arizona who are unemployed or underemployed due to the coronavirus. Benefits can be applied retroactively to hardships after March 11. You can learn more on the Arizona Department of Economic Security website.
• Tax deadline extension. Following the extension of federal taxes, the Arizona Department of Revenue set the new deadline for filing and paying state income taxes for July 15, 2020.

• Unemployment. On March 17, the one-week waiting period for unemployment benefits has been waived for individuals who have become unemployed due to the coronavirus. Work-search requirements have also been waived for 30 days, and you can apply for benefits online or over the phone.

• Paid family leave. If you’re the primary caregiver for a sick or quarantined family member officially diagnosed with COVID-19, you may be eligible for up to six weeks of benefits for lost wages. Benefits range from $50 to $1,300 a week — or 60% to 70% of normal wages.
• Unemployment insurance (UI). If you’re temporarily out of work because of a company closure or reduction of hours, you may qualify for UI. By executive order from the state governor, the one-week unpaid waiting period is waived. Benefits range from $40 to $450 a week.

• Paid sick leave. Workers with flu-like symptoms who are waiting for test results for COVID-19 may be eligible for up to four days of paid sick leave. You must be employed in select industries to qualify.
• Unemployment insurance. If you work for an employer that closed or reduced hours due to the coronavirus, you can file an unemployment claim through the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE).
• Wage claims. If your employer hasn’t paid you for time worked, you can file a claim to recover lost wages.

See the CDLE’s page on the coronavirus for more information on how to file a claim and who qualifies for these programs.

• Unemployment insurance. As of March 19, work search requirements are waived for unemployment insurance claims. You can apply for unemployment insurance benefits by asking your employer for a separation package and completing your unemployment claim on the Connecticut Department of Labor’s website.
• SharedWork program. If your employer has reduced your hours because of the outbreak, the Department of Labor’s SharedWork program can supplement lost hours with partial unemployment benefits.
• Postponed evictions and foreclosures. The State of Connecticut Judicial Branch has postponed all foreclosures scheduled to have occurred in April or May to Saturday, June 6, 2020 and all issued executions on evictions and ejectments have been stayed through May 1, 2020.

• Student meal programs. Schools throughout Delaware continue to provide meals for students, but not all meal sites are open each day. The Delaware Department of Education has a list of student nutrition sites you can search to find one near you.
• Evictions and fees postponed. During this state of emergency, landlords and mortgage companies are unable to pursue or proceed with eviction or foreclosures. In addition, utility service companies are not allowed to terminate service or charge late payment fees.
• Unemployment Insurance. Like many states, Delaware has removed its one-week waiting period and work-search requirements for people seeking unemployment benefits during the coronavirus outbreak. You can apply for unemployment online.

• Child Care Food Program (CCFP). Schools in Florida are offering meals at no cost to students during the coronavirus outbreak. You can browse participating CCFP providers in your area through the Florida Department of Health.
• Reemployment Assistance. You may be eligible for temporary wage replacement if you are unable to work because of job closures or official quarantine. You may also qualify if you are caring for an immediate family member diagnosed with the coronavirus.

However, state governments are adapting new policies to help fight the economic effects of the coronavirus. To stay updated, check the Georgia DOL unemployment page for more information.

• Tax deadline extension. The deadline for filing and paying individual income tax has been extended to July 20, 2020.
• Unemployment Insurance. If you aren’t being paid by your employer after it closes or your hours have been cut due to the coronavirus, you may be eligible to apply for unemployment benefits. Like many states, the seven-day waiting period has been waived.
• Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI). If you are unable to work or are quarantined but your employer is still open, you may be eligible for TDI. To apply, contact your employer and ask about its TDI carrier. The seven-day waiting period for TDI is still in place.
• Workers’ compensation. If you’re infected with the coronavirus because of your job, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation. To qualify, you must prove that your job duties have directly caused your illness. Workers’ compensation has a three-day waiting period.
• Hawaii Family Leave Law (HFLL). If you work for an employer with 100 or more employees, you may be eligible for up to four weeks of unpaid leave to care for a family member.

Keep in mind that there is also a mandatory 14-day quarantine period for anyone flying into Hawaii to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

• Unemployment Insurance. If your workplace has temporarily or permanently closed because of the coronavirus, you may be eligible to apply for unemployment benefits. But unlike other states, Idaho still requires that you must either be looking for work or able to return to work within 16 weeks.

In addition, you may be eligible for other assistance programs throughout the state of Idaho.

• Filing and payment extensions. Following the federal extension, Indiana tax returns and payments are now due on July 15, 2020. If you’re on a payment plan but can’t make your regular payment, contact the Indiana Department of Revenue. And don’t worry — tax refunds are still being processed at a normal rate.
• Unemployment Insurance. You can file for unemployment benefits online if you have been laid off by your employer or your employer has temporarily had to shut down during the COVID-19 outbreak. You may also be eligible if you are quarantined by a medical professional or are caring for a child while schools and daycares are closed.
• Child care assistance. If you need child care, contact Brighter Futures Indiana for help finding and paying for assistance. Start by finding your local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency.

Other assistance programs — such as SNAP, TANF and Medicaid — and housing assistance may be available. Indiana has a helpful PDF of resources for those affected by the coronavirus.

You can learn more about the coronavirus and unemployment insurance offered by Illinois on the IDES website.

• Unemployment insurance. Individuals unable to work as a result of COVID-19, including those who are sick, immuno-compromised, quarantined, caring for a sick family member or caring for out-of-school children may qualify for unemployment insurance. However, individuals must exhaust all paid time off, vacation and sick leave available through their employer before they apply.
• School meal services. Iowa schools have been permitted to activate summer meal programs to provide free meals to low-income children during the coronavirus outbreak. For the full list of participating schools, check the Iowa Department of Education’s website.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has also compiled a COVID-19 resource center for individuals and businesses.

If you are struggling financially, you may also be eligible for other state benefits like WIC or Medicaid.

• Maryland Health Connection. If you are uninsured, the Maryland Health Connection has reopened enrollment in response to the coronavirus. Open enrollment is available from March 16 to April 15. Coverage begins April 1, 2020. Visit the Maryland Health Connection COVID-19 page for more information on how to sign up.
• Free meals for students and children. Maryland schools and other agencies are offering free meals to students. Use this PDF to the nearest meal center.
• Senior Call Check Program. Maryland offers free calls to check up and verify the well-being of Marylanders over the age of 65. To learn more and register, call 866-502-4235 or visit the Senior Call Check website.
• Sick and Safe Leave. All Maryland employers with 15 or more employees are required to provide paid sick leave to their employees. For residents who are quarantined, Maryland recommends you exhaust your sick leave before turning to unemployment.
• Unemployment Insurance. If your employer has temporarily closed due to the coronavirus or you have been medically quarantined, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits.

There are also a number of other resources and volunteer opportunities for Maryland residents who need help or want to help their community.

• Unemployment resources. If your employer closed due to the coronavirus, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits without the one-week waiting period.
• Health insurance. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health requires all insurers to cover testing and treatment of COVID-19 without copays or coinsurance. In addition, members of MassHealth may be eligible for additional benefits if they experienced a loss of wages due to the coronavirus.

• Unemployment benefits. Under an executive order by Governor Tim Walz, the non-payable waiting week for unemployment benefits are waived. Work search requirements still apply but applicants need to look for work that doesn’t pose a risk to their health or the health of others.
• Workers’ compensation. If you contracted COVID-19 while on the job, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
• Sick leave. Employee protections on behalf of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry stipulate that employers that allow you to take time off for illness must also allow you to take time off to care for an unwell child, spouse, parent, grandparent, stepparent or parent-in-law.

• Unemployment Insurance. Mississippi residents who are unemployed or underemployed due to the coronavirus may be eligible for unemployment benefits. The waiting period and work search requirements are waived.
• Tax extension. The deadline to file and pay 2019 Mississippi income tax has been extended to May 15, 2020.

If you feel you may be sick with the coronavirus, check Mississippi’s updated list of testing sites and contact to make an appointment.

• Unemployment Insurance. If you’re not working or your hours are reduced because of the coronavirus, you may be eligible for unemployment. To see if you qualify and what you’ll need to apply, visit the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation website.
• No copay for testing. Health insurers governed by the Nevada Division of Insurance are prohibited from charging an out-of-pocket cost to test for COVID-19. Insurers are also prohibited from charging for a vaccine if one becomes available.

• Earned sick leave. New Jersey law requires all employers to offer up to 40 hours of earned sick leave to full-time, part-time and temporary employees. Use your earned sick leave first if you or a loved one test positive for COVID-19.
• Temporary disability insurance. If your earned sick leave runs out, you may be able to file for disability for the duration you expect to be out of work.
• Workers’ compensation. If your job required waiting on or working with someone who had the coronavirus and you contracted it, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation.
• Unemployment insurance. If your regular work hours have been reduced or cut, you may be eligible for reduced unemployment benefits.

• Paid sick leave. In a new bill that passed through the state legislature, employers are now required to provide job protection, paid family leave and short-term disability benefits for the duration of their quarantine.
• Unemployment insurance. The state waives its seven-day waiting period to file an unemployment insurance claim for those affected by the coronavirus. Visit the state’s instructions for filing a claim to get started.

• Unemployment benefits. If a medical professional or employer tells you to quarantine or you’ve been laid off as a result of coronavirus-related business shutdowns, you may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.
• SharedWork program. If your employer cuts your hours, you may qualify for SharedWork Ohio benefits.
• Healthcare coverage. Employees remain eligible for healthcare coverage through their employers, even if their hours are reduced. Health insurance premiums may also be deferred up to 60 calendar days from each original premium’s due date.
• Nutrition programs. Some schools are offering meals for children ages 1 to 18 as part of the Seamless Summer Option or Summer Food Service Program.
• Waived Internet late fees. As part of Ohio’s Keep Americans Connected pledge, a growing number of service providers have agreed to waive late fees, provide Wi-Fi hotspots and continue service to any resident or small business that fail to pay. For the full list of participating providers, check this news release from Governor DeWine.

• Unemployment insurance (UI). Those laid off during the coronavirus outbreak are eligible to receive UI benefits without seeking new work by staying in contact with their employers and being available for work when called back. You could be eligible for UI if you’re quarantined or sick with COVID-19.
• Free meals for kids. Children between the ages of 1 and 18 are eligible for free meals from schools with Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon meal plans. For all participating schools, check the list on Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon.
• Free internet. Charter, Comcast and Internet Essentials are offering 60 days of free service to new customers.
• Waived late fees. Pacific Power, Portland General Electric and Idaho Power are waiving late fees and suspending service disconnections for their customers in light of COVID-19.

• Unemployment compensation (UC). The waiting week, work search and work registration requirements have been waived for all UC applicants to help support those unable to work because of COVID-19.
• Workers’ compensation (WC). If you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 at work, you can apply for WC by asking your employer to file a disease-as-injury claim or occupational disease claim.
• Utility shutdown suspension. Chairman of the Pennsylvania Utility Commission signed an emergency order suspending the termination of the following public utilities: electricity, natural gas, water, wastewater, telecommunications and steam.
• Personal income tax deadline extension. The deadline for Pennsylvanians to file their 2019 personal income tax returns has been extended to July 15, 2020.
• Meals for students. Despite state-wide closures, Pennsylvania schools are permitted to continue serving free meals to low-income students through the National School Lunch Program, Seamless Summer Option and Summer Food Service Program.

• Unemployment. Tennessee has fast-tracked its unemployment system to help workers during the COVID-19 crisis. If you are out of work because your place of employment is out of business or temporarily closed, you can file for benefits at Jobs4TN.gov.
• TennCare. As of March 20, Tennessee hasn’t changed its TennCare eligibility criteria. However, it does have information about the coronavirus for residents currently enrolled in the TennCare program.
• Emergency cash assistance. If you were employed on March 11 but have since lost your job or at least 50% of your earned income, you may be eligible for emergency cash assistance — up to $1,000 for households with five or more people.

• Paid family and medical leave. If you’re sick with COVID-19 or taking care of a family member who is, you may be eligible for family or medical leave through Washington State. You may also be eligible if your child’s school is closed for any health-related reason.
• Unemployment benefits. If you’re a full- or part-time worker and your employer has temporarily or permanently shut down due to the coronavirus outbreak, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits without the one-week waiting period.
• Ban on evictions. As of March 18th, Governor Jay Inslee has placed a moratorium on evictions for Washington residents who are unable to pay rent.
• Less expensive public utilities. The governor has also suspended shutoffs for public utilities and has instructed utility companies to waive late fees and expand bill assistance for those out of work due to the coronavirus.
• More flexible tax collections. The Washington Department of Revenue may be able to waive penalties and interest on late tax payments as well as work on payment plans for individuals facing dire economic circumstances.
• Family Emergency Assistance Program. As part of the expansion of statewide help, the Family Emergency Assistance Program has also been expanded to include families without children. To see if you qualify, visit the Washington Department of Social Health and Services website.