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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Crisis Assistance Ministry

Charlotte, NC

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What To Do If You’re Out Of Work Or Have Lost Income

COVID-19 has already changed the economic landscape for many of us. If you’ve been laid off or lost income due to the threat of the novel coronavirus, it’s a scary time. Here are some helpful resources if you’re one of the more than 100,000 people in North Carolina in this situation right now.

January 30, 2021

COVID-19 has drastically changed the economic landscape for many of us. If you have been laid off or lost income due to circumstances related to the novel coronavirus, this is a scary time. 

Here are some helpful resources if your livelihood continues to be affected by the pandemic. 

Unemployment

According to the North Carolina Justice Center, over 1.4 million North Carolinians have filed for unemployment since March of last year. Here in Mecklenburg County, about 6% of all jobs have been lost since the pandemic began. 

Guidelines, waiting periods, and benefit amounts for unemployment have been modified, including allowing some aid to individuals who would otherwise not normally be eligible. This expanded assistance is due to expire on March 13, 2021, unless additional federal assistance is issued. 

Because the pandemic and everything related to it is constantly changing, the best way to find unemployment information relevant to your specific situation is through the North Carolina Division of Employment Security at des.nc.gov. 

Unemployment applications are processed entirely online and can be completed without any in-person contact. Keep in mind that claims must be filed weekly to keep your application active. 

Unemployment applications are entirely online and can be completed without any in-person contact.

Small Business Assistance

Small businesses and entrepreneurs continue to feel the pandemic impact. If you are one of these hard-working North Carolinians, you know that smaller operating budgets mean you are less able to weather the business interruptions we have been experiencing over the past year. 

The North Carolina Department of Commerce has created an online resource guide to answer questions and provide guidance for navigating these challenging times. This is a great starting place, no matter what support you and your business need, from funding to counseling. 

The United States Small Business Administration (SBA) offers information about available funding options for business owners. You can access the most up-to-date information via the SBA website. You can also call the SBA’s North Carolina District Office at 704-344-6563. 

Taxes

It may be hard to believe, but tax time has rolled around again. Unlike last year, when deadlines were extended, your 2020 tax return is due on the traditional date of April 15. For many North Carolinians, filing is free via the IRS website and the NC Department of Revenue. 

Filing online is not only faster and safer than mailing a paper return, but it also makes it easier for any potential new federal stimulus checks to reach you quickly if they are approved by Congress. 

Check out the AARP’s helpful summary for taxpayers, “Ten Things You Need to Know About Your 2020 Tax Return.”

Image of IRS paperwork including Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax worksheets

Rent/Mortgage or Utility Payments

President Biden recently issued an executive order extending the eviction moratorium until March 31, which is good news for the millions of Americans who are struggling to pay rent and mortgage each month.  

  • For renters: To qualify for protection under the moratorium, you must complete a CDC Eviction Declaration Form and give it to your landlord.  

Legal Aid of North Carolina has a wealth of information about the moratorium and tenants’ rights. You can also call them toll-free at 866-219-5262. 

  • For homeowners: Federally backed mortgages are covered under the eviction moratorium. If you’re uncertain whether your loan is federally backed or not, call your mortgage servicer and ask.  

If your mortgage is through a private company, check with the lender to see if assistance is available. 

Remember that the eviction moratorium is a temporary protection. It may or may not be extended again, but when it does eventually expire, you will be responsible for any unpaid rent or mortgage payments. Be proactive and contact your landlord or mortgage holder as soon as possible to talk about options. 

If you need to negotiate with your landlord or mortgage holder, our Economic Mobility Specialists offer the following tips: 

  • Do not assume your landlord or lender knows your situation.  
  • Be proactive and contact your landlord or lender before payment is due. 
  • Determine what you realistically can pay and when. 
  • Be direct about your situation and work with your landlord or lender on a specific plan with dates, amounts, and clear expectations for communication. 

If you live in Mecklenburg County and need emergency financial assistance with rent or utilities, learn about how the application process works at Crisis Assistance Ministry. 

Elsewhere in North Carolina, contact the United Way by calling 211 or searching their online database at nc211.org. 

Seek Accurate Information

The NC Department of Health and Human Services is maintaining comprehensive resources about many COVID-19 related needs. You’ll find the most recent updates, advisories and links there to everything from tax relief to health protocols. 

Manage Your Mental Health

That same site offers a variety of resources for managing emotional health, reducing anxiety, and staying healthy despite these new stressors.

Note: This information is as accurate as possible as of January 30, 2021. If updates become available, they will be added to this blog entry.

Filed Under: Advocacy Tagged With: COVID-19, Lost Income, Mortgage Assistance, NCDES, NCDHHS, Rent Assistance, Unemployment

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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Preventing homelessness.
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  • Main Office:
    500-A Spratt St.
    Charlotte, NC 28206
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We are so #grateful for the team of dedicated #volunteers who volunteer their time & expertise on our Board of Directors. Today we welcome five newly elected members: Deborah Brewer, Yog Hari, Ed Holland, Deirdre John, and John Magnuson. (Learn about them through our linktree)

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We've got a special shout out to @championhouseofcare and @beyoubegreatnonprofit for their tireless commitment to helping the seniors displaced from Magnolia Apartments since Christmas Day. @CrisisAssistMin is proud to be working alongside these passionate grassroots organizations and @housingcollab_ to help craft individual plans to get our neighbors back into stable housing while ensuring their basic needs continue to be met.

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These community-minded Deltas celebrated Founder's Day last week by inspecting and preparing donated goods for Free Store shoppers. With their help, families shopping free of charge will find essentials to help them live with dignity this week.

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The King Center's theme for MLK Day 2023 is "It Start's With Me: Cultivating A Beloved Community Mindset to Transform Unjust Systems." Fifty-five years after his death, we still see the impacts of unjust systems every day at Crisis Assistance Ministry.  Read more in this weekend's blog (link in bio)

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Crisis Assistance Ministry will be closed on Monday, January 16 in observance of  Martin Luther King Day. The office will be closed to all customers, volunteers, staff, and donors. Typical hours resume on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.

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Families in Charlotte, and across the country, are struggling to make ends meet. Inflation has outpaced wage growth. People are working harder than ever but still falling behind on rent and utilities. People need more money. But could we use policy to get more money into the hands of those who need it the most? This week's blog takes a look at the potential for Guaranteed Basic Income here in the Queen City. (Link in bio)
📷 courtesy of @stocktondemo

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Just one more day before we're back to "normal." So, @CrisisAssistMin is closed January 2, 2023,  and will return to typical business hours tomorrow, January 3.
(Financial assistance 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Free Store by appointment 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Donation drop off 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

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Wishing you hope, warmth, & light in the new year and beyond.
(P.S. @crisisassistmin will be closed tomorrow, January 2, and reopen with typical hours on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.)

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"Everybody wants to have that light shine."
Nikki shares what the holidays mean to her family as we reach the end of the year.  Looking back, she's grateful for the help of the community to get her through a financial crisis and back on her feet moving toward economic mobility.
Thousands more families will seek that same kind of help -- to stay safely housed, to keep utilities flowing, to provide clothing and household goods, and to rebuild financial stability -- in 2023.
Visit our quick links to learn more and to make a tax-deductible year-end gift to help more of our neighbors in the coming year.
Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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