COVID-19 Financial Survival Toolkit for New Yorkers

During this difficult time maintaining good physical and mental health is critically important. For guidance and assistance, you can find the latest and most reliable information on the COVID-19 outbreak using the following links:

• COVID-19 Vaccine: Get the Facts (NYS Department of Health) - Get regular updates on the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine.
  • (New - 2/1/21) COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker (NYS Department of Health) - Track the progress of the vaccine program in your region. 
  • Vaccination availability has expanded to include more populations.
• Coping with COVID (NY Project Hope) - NY Project Hope helps people manage and cope with changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic through an emotional support helpline, educational materials, and trusted referrals. Call the Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website | 1-800-232-4636
• Novel Coronavirus (NYS Department of Health) | 1-888-364-3065

COVID-19 Testing Is Available to All New Yorkers

• Find a Test Site Near You (NYS Department of Health)
• If you are in NYC, visit: COVID-19 Testing (NYC COVID-19 Citywide Information Portal)
• Use Google Maps by searching "COVID testing near me"

COVID-19 Updates and Alerts

• COVID Alert NY (NYS Department of Health) - A COVID-19 tracing app to help protect New Yorkers has been launched by the NYS Department of Health.

Staying Safe in Your Home During COVID-19

Worried about having to self-isolate in a dangerous home situation? Co-quarantined with an abuser?

• Please call (800) 799-SAFE (7233), TTY (800) 787-3224 or chat online at National Domestic Violence Hotline; or
• Visit NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) provides direct economic assistance for American workers and families. 

(New) The Treasury Department is Delivering COVID-19 Relief for All Americans (U.S. Treasury Department) - Find specific information about:

• Assistance to workers and their families; 
• Small businesses;
• State, local and tribal governments assistance;
• Preserving jobs; and
• Emergency rental assistance program.

Internal Revenue Service - Check the status of your stimulus payment

The COVID-19 outbreak has had a devastating effect on many of New York’s working families. If you have been laid off, are ill or taking care of a sick family member, you may be eligible for assistance. Check out the links below to find out about unemployment, sick leave, and family sick leave benefits.

• NYS Department of Labor Website | 1-888-209-8124
  • Benefit Extension Information - If you are currently receiving unemployment insurance, you may be eligible to an additional 20 weeks of benefits.  
• New Paid Leave for COVID-19 (Office of the NYS Governor)
• Unemployment Insurance Relief (NYS Bar Association) - If your unemployment insurance claim has been denied and you need legal assistance, the NYS Bar Association has set up a pro-bono referral service to help.

If you believe you have been a victim of unemployment benefit fraud, here are some helpful resources: 

• Beware of identity theft scam involving unemployment benefits (Journal of Accountancy)
• Identity theft guidance regarding unemployment compensation reporting (Internal Revenue Service)
• Report Unemployment Insurance Fraud (NYS Department of Labor)
• IdentityTheft.gov (Federal Trade Commission)

The COVID-19 outbreak has created a financial hardship for many people. Help may be available for those who are having trouble paying their bills at this time. Check the appropriate resources for your particular situation.

• Income Taxes - The income tax filing date has been moved to May 17, 2021. It’s still important to file a tax return even if you don’t owe any taxes in the event you are entitled to a refund. 
  • Free File your income tax return (NYS Department of Taxation and Finance) -If your 2020 income is $72,000 or less, you may be eligible to e-file your federal and New York State returns for free.
  • Free Tax Return Preparation for Qualifying Taxpayers (Internal Revenue Service) - The IRS offers free basic tax return preparation at locations across the State to qualified individuals.
  • Facilitated Self Assistance (FSA) program (NYS Department of Taxation and Finance) - If your 2020 income is $72,000 or less, you can register for a virtual session to receive free virtual tax assistance from the State.
• Mortgage Relief - Coronavirus: Information for Consumers and Businesses (NYS Department of Financial Services)
• Evictions
  • Tenant Safe Harbor Act (NYS Senate) - The Tenant Safe Harbor Act prohibits courts from evicting residential tenants who have experienced financial hardship for non-payment of rent that accrues or becomes due during the COVID-19 period. (The COVID-19 period as defined in the Act is from March 7, 2020 until the date on which all COVID-related restrictions on non-essential gatherings and businesses are lifted in the county of the tenant’s residence.) A tenant may raise financial hardship during the COVID-19 covered period as a defense in an eviction proceeding and the court shall consider certain relevant factors, including: the tenant’s income prior to and during the COVID-19 covered period, the tenant’s liquid assets, and the tenant’s eligibility for and receipt of various government assistance programs. The Tenant Safe Harbor Act does not prohibit the court from imposing a money judgment for rent due and owing by such tenants.
  • COVID-19 Helpful Links and FAQ's (NYS Homes and Community Renewal)
  • Tenants Safe Harbor Act Explained (United Tenants of Albany) - FAQs for the Tenant Safe Harbor Act.
  • COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2020 (NYS Office of the Governor) - The moratorium for residential evictions in NYS has been extended to May 1, 2021.   
  • NYS Unified Court System Website or call 1-833-503-0447 (24/7 hotline), press prompt #4 for eviction information.
• Funeral Assistance - COVID-19 Funeral Assistance (Federal Emergency Management Agency) - As part of the federal stimulus package, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will reimburse certain funeral expenses up to $9,000 for individuals who died as a result of COVID-19 after January 20, 2020. 
• Utilities - Department of Public Service Website | 1-800-342-3377
  • Note: Under new state law recently signed by the Governor (Laws of 2020, Chapters 108 and 126) utility services cannot be shut off through March 2021 for those who have been financially affected by COVID-19. If you are having difficulty paying your utility bills, contact your utility company directly.
  • COVID-19 Moratorium on Utility and Municipal Shutoffs (NYS Department of Public Service) - For a clear understanding of your rights as a utility customer, the New York State Department of Public Service has developed a “frequently asked questions” page.  
• Credit Cards, Debt, Mortgages and other bills - Coping with Debt (Federal Trade Commission)
• Student Loans
  • There is broad relief for federal student loan borrowers under the CARES Act. Generally, borrowers may temporarily stop making federal student loan payments from March 13, 2020 to January 31, 2021. For more information, visit: Coronavirus and Forbearance Info for Students, Borrowers, and Parents (U.S. Department of Education) or call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or (TTY 1-800-730-8913).
  • New York State has collaborated with many commercial and private student loan lenders to offer help to those facing financial hardship due to COVID-19. For more information, visit: Coronavirus: Information for Student Borrowers (NYS Department of Financial Services). 
• Loan Program - The Hebrew Free Loan Society is offering a COVID-19 Financial Impact Loan Program for those impacted by the pandemic due to job losses, child care or medical costs, and small business losses. This is a non-sectarian program for moderate and lower income residents of New York City, Long Island, and Westchester. For more information and to check eligibility, visit: Coronavirus Financial Impact Loan (Hebrew Free Loan Society).
• Debt Collection - For those facing debt collection, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act provides certain rights and protections. For more information, please visit: Debt Collection FAQs (Federal Trade Commission).

Resources for Small Businesses

Small businesses are the backbone of New York’s economy and our nonprofits help countless individuals and families in communities across our State. Both types of entities have been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic but financial assistance may be available for those small businesses and nonprofits that qualify. To learn more, please check these links:

• Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
  • New York Forward Loan Fund - Due to a recent rule change, small business in NYS that received federal Paycheck Protection Program loans of $50,000 or less are now eligible for a NYS loan program.
  • Implementation of Paycheck Protection Program Loans - FAQs (Small Business Administration)
  • SBA and Treasury Announce Simpler PPP Forgiveness for Loans of $50,000 or Less (U.S. Treasury Department) - The Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, announced a simpler loan forgiveness process for businesses with outstanding PPP loans of $50,000 or less. The application has been streamlined.
• NYS Directory of Small Business Programs (NYS Department of Economic Development)
• Main Street Lending Program (Federal Reserve) - The Federal Reserve has established the Main Street Lending Program to enhance support for small and mid-sized businesses. The Main Street Lending Program will be operated through three facilities: Main Street New Loan Facility (MSNLF), Main Street Priority Loan Facility (MSPLF) and Main Street Expanded Loan Facility (MSELF). Terms sheets and FAQs are available for each facility.
• ESD Covid-19-Related Resources (Empire State Development)

Resources for Local Governments, including School Districts

The Office of the State Comptroller’s Division of Local Government and School Accountability has created a financial toolkit to offer guidance to municipalities in these challenging times. For more information, please see: Financial Toolkit for Local Officials in 2020 and Beyond.

Resources for Nonprofits

For nonprofit organizations, these links are useful:

• Nonprofits and Coronavirus, COVID-19 (Council of Nonprofits)
  • (New) What's in the New COVID Relief Relief Law for Nonprofits? (Council of Nonprofits) - A summary of the December 2020 COVID relief law for nonprofits.
• General COVID-19 Resources (Robin Hood)
• COVID-19 Tools and Resources for Nonprofits (Nonprofit Finance Fund)
   

Now more than ever it’s important for all of us to take greater control of our own personal finances and teach our children about sound financial practices. Except where expressly indicated, none of these materials necessarily represent the views of the Office of the New York State Comptroller. Here are several resources that provide a wide range of personal finance information that could help you now and in the future:

• Protecting your finances during the Coronavirus Pandemic (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau) | 1-855-411-2372
• Financial Counseling and Credit Protection (Federal Reserve Bank of New York)
• Saving and Investment Options (USA.gov) | 1-844-872-4681
• Money Smart for Young People (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) | 1-800-877-8339
• Make a Monthly Budget (Federal Trade Commission)

During this time of crisis, it’s important to be on alert for those who would attempt to defraud you or your family. To learn how to protect yourself from scams, refer to the following sites:

• Report Unemployment Insurance Fraud (NYS Department of Labor) - If you have been the victim of suspected unemployment fraud, the NYS Department of Labor has set up an online reporting tool to open an investigation.
• Report Identity Theft and Get a Recovery Plan (Federal Trade Commission) - If you believe you’ve been the victim of unemployment fraud or any other identity theft, please visit this website for assistance.
• FTC COVID-19 and Stimulus Reports (Federal Trade Commission) - COVID-related fraud is on the rise nationwide and the Federal Trade Commission is tracking these cases. In New York State, there were more than 11,000 cases reported.
• Report Government Fraud (Office of the New York State Comptroller) | 1-888-672-4555 - You can report allegations of fraud involving taxpayer money on our website.

Military

• Military OneSource is dedicated to providing timely resources, information and answers to address the health and financial impact of COVID-19 on the military community. For more information, please visit: Military OneSource (U.S. Department of Defense) or call 1-800-342-9647.
• The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, which was enacted in 2003, is designed to ease financial burdens on servicemembers during periods of military service. For more information, please visit: Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (U.S. Department of Defense)
• The Department of Defense has launched an initiative to assist military spouses with financial readiness. For more information, please visit: MilSpouse Money Mission (U.S. Department of Defense) - Note: the reference to this website does not constitute or imply an endorsement or recommendation of the Office of the State Comptroller and is provided for informational purposes only.

Veterans

For those Veterans affected by COVID-19, please check with Federal and State resources:

• Federal: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs | 1-844-698-2311
• State: NYS Division of Veterans' Services | 1-888-838-7697
• New York City: NYC Veterans Alliance

Seniors

• COVID-19 Resource Center (National Council on Aging)
• Meals on Wheels America - For seniors who need food assistance. 
• For help in dealing with the COVID-19 crisis, seniors can contact the NYS Office for the Aging by visiting: NYS Office of the Aging or calling 1-844-697-6321

People with Disabilities

To find resources for those with disabilities affected by COVID-19, please visit:

• The Arc - Resources for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Office for People with Developmental Disabilities or call 1-866-946-9733 or (TTY 1-866-933-4889)
• Social Security & Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) (Social Security Administration) or call 1-800-772-1213 or (TTY 1-800-325-0778)
• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) or call 1-800-232-4636
• For People with Disabilities living in NYC, please visit: COVID-19 Resources for People with Disabilities (NYC Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities) or call 1-212-788-2830 (voice phone) or 1-646-396-5830 (video phone)