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We will keep updating this article as new information becomes available. Please add additional resources in comments, below, and we will incorporate them into this list.

The COVID-19 virus and its associated shutdowns and interruptions to supply are going to hit all of us. The worry now is ‘how will it hit me?‘ and ‘what do I do now?‘ Here are a few tips for managing the uncertain financial fallout from the requirement that businesses shut down for 30 days. The date next to each item, such as (3/24/20), indicates how recently this information was updated.

Mortgage Lenders:

  • Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac: The leading providers of mortgage financing with federal support. They are both open for business during the Coronavirus Disaster and are implementing programs to help homeowners and owners of multi-family properties to delay mortgage payments, which means relief for renters, as well. Call: 1-800-2FANNIE.
    • Homeowners: Get more details and resources here if Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac own your home loan: https://www.knowyouroptions.com/covid19assistance. (as of 3/24/20)
    • Eviction Suspension Relief for Renters: Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced March 23 that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will offer multifamily property owners mortgage forbearance if they suspend all evictions for renters unable to pay rent due to the impact of coronavirus. Here is the full release. (3/24/20)
  • Wells Fargo: Their customer service call centers are open, even if the local banking offices might be closed. Click here for Wells Fargo’s statement about supporting customers during the Coronavirus. (3/24/20)
  • Nevada State Bank: The bank locations are closed, but they are answering certain lines and have some informative webinars about the impact of the recent market changes on banking resources and investments. Read their whole collection of resources here:
    • For personal accountholders: Nevada State Bank encourages account holders who need essential services to call their branch. Night drop and/or safe deposit boxes will still be serviced, even if the branch is listed closed. (3/24/20)
    • For business accountholders: There are numerous ways to access your accounts, this is a good list with links, there are local resources like Chambers of Commerce and federal loan program links, and information about paying employees with direct deposit and other tools. (3/25/20)
  • Bank of America: As one of the biggest home mortgage lenders, business bankers and personal banking institutions, Bank of America has set up some useful programs for Client Assistance Program which sounds like it might be a version of a grant or loan forgiveness. and the Payment Deferral Program, given how impactful the COVID-19 has been to its customers. They even posted a very nice video about additional assistance the bank is providing to help clients and small businesses experiencing hardships. Click here to see Bank of America’s current COVID-19 program and watch the video. (3/24/20)
  • Greater Nevada Credit Union: A lot of links on GNCU’s COVID-19 page to get help to manage debt and bills, refinancing and loan deferments. From their website: “Greater Nevada Credit Union is committed to helping members who may be experiencing financial challenges, including any caused by COVID-19. If you are a GNCU member and are in need of assistance, we encourage you to call us at (800) 421-6674.” Online: gncu.org. (3/25/20)
  • Elko Federal Credit Union: Has closed their Spring Creek Branch lobby until further notice. Only the drive-through lanes and remote teller machines will be open. The Elko Branch lobby and remote teller machines will be open. Telephone banking: 775.778.6868 or online: elkofcu.org. (3/24/20)

Resources for Businesses:

Resources for Families:

Please be patient
  • Nevada’s Department of Health & Human Services:
    • Family and Children:
      • Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a special supplemental nutrition program that services income eligible pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk by providing nutritious food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, community referrals, nutrition counseling, and health screenings. For more information, or if you have questions, call (800) 8-NEV-WIC or (775) 684-5942 or click this link. (3/24/20)
      • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is intended to help families cover food costs through vouchers and a debit card. An interview will likely still be needed, but the requirements might have shifted in light of the impact of coronavirus-related business shutdowns. Learn more about SNAP here. (3/24/20)
      • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is designed to provide Temporary Assistance for Needy Families to care for dependent children in their own homes or in the homes of relative care-givers.  TANF provides Financial and Support Services such as childcare, transportation, and other services. Learn more here and apply to TANF. There are eligibility requirements. (3/24/20)
      • Medical Assistance: If you can’t work, you might have lost access to employer-sponsored health insurance. Nevada has a program that might help you cover some medical-related costs. (3/24/20)
      • Energy Assistance: Click here to read more about programs to help you pay energy costs and apply for help. (3/24/20)
      • Families First Coronavirus Response Act for Employees, effective April 2, 2020 will expand the Family and Maternal Leave Act (FMLA). Click to read the details of the FFCRA on the Department of Labor’s website.
        • Relief For Employees: (as of 3/25/20)
          • Sick Leave Pay: Employees on sick leave would receive full pay up to $511 (max $5,110). This limit is imposed on the current FMLA laws by the FFCRA law.
          • Childcare Coverage: Those whose childcare resources have closed can get up to $200 per day (max $10,000). This limit is imposed on the current FMLA laws by the FFCRA law.
          • Virus Leave is Different than Sick Leave: Employers cannot force employees to use their vacation or sick time to receive this benefit, an expansion of benefits from FFCRA.
          • FFCRA to Cover Additional 2 Weeks of Leave: Full-time employees could take an additional 80 hours of sick leave, an expansion of benefits from FFCRA. Part-time employees could take an amount in proportion to their usual hours.
          • Waiting Period: There is a 10-day waiting period before this benefit applies.
          • Small Companies Exempt: Companies with fewer than 25 employees may be exempt from paying this leave benefit.
          • Paid by Employer: These benefits are paid directly by the employer, not the government. See below, employers are eligible for certain tax credits to help cover this cost. See Employer Relief below. If the employer is out of business by April 1, 2020, there is no benefit. (3/25/20)
    • Elderly and Disabled:
      • Aging & Disability Services Division has many resources and programs to help those who need a little extra help. Visit this page about programs intended to either help or protect Senior Citizens.
      • For those with physical disabilities, the Division has several resources, not necessarily related to COVID-19 job loss or shutdowns.
      • Nevada Care Connection has a series of resources for programs to help the elderly, disabled and their caregivers.
  • Nevada Unemployment:
    • For claimants: To file online for a claim for unemployment insurance, click here.
    • For employers: The Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation (DETR) is requesting those employers who will close before the end of March to submit their first quarter 2020 Employer’s Contributions and Wage Reports as soon as possible. Employers can utilize online services for filing and making payment.  The advanced timeline applies only to reporting, with payment of any taxes not due until April 30, 2020. Find employer-related information about Unemployment Insurance here.
  • IRS:
    • Delayed Tax Due Dates: President Trump announced this week that Tax Day will be delayed until July 15, 2020. Those who owe money now and are making payments can also delay paying without penalties or accruing interest. No extension is needed, you don’t have to call or get permission, the deadline has been moved. If you need more time than that, you should file an extension.
    • Tax Refunds: You can still file online before then if you have your paperwork. It may be especially useful to you if you expect a refund. The IRS official media release on March 21, 2020 advised taxpayers expecting a refund to get those requests in as soon as possible because “most tax refunds are still being issued within 21 days.”
    • The IRSFreeFile app offers people who made $69K or less in 2019 tax software to do their taxes from a home computer or mobile device.
    • Getting a loan based on your Tax Refund: Be cautious with loans: This is your money so it might actually cost you in fees and interest to take out loans against your own money. If you really need to — or don’t have other options — then it might be an option. Be very wary of third parties offering loans on your refund. It might be a better use of your time and money to go ask other creditors for more time to pay them.

Utilities:

  • City of Elko – Water & Sewer: City of Elko has made it clear that most of their non-essential employees and offices will be closed but they should still be answering phones to address questions. (775) 777-7135. Online: www.ci.elko.nv.us/departments/utilities. (3/24/20)
  • Elko Sanitation: Trash pick-ups will continue as scheduled. Click here to read Elko Sanitation’s info and policies about COVID-19. They will be having a special Spring Clean-Up program to make dumpsters available knowing people will be home and start their spring cleaning early. As an essential business, they are hiring now! Call (775) 738-3771 or online at elkosanitation.com. (3/24/20)
  • NV Energy – Electric: NV Energy will suspend disconnects for non-payment for our customers directly impacted by this crisis. We will also waive late fees and deposits for customers who experience financial hardships related to COVID-19 or are unable to pay due to self-isolation. Please contact our customer care center to make alternative payment arrangements if you are directly impacted by the COVID-19 threat. Read the full statement from their CEO here. Online: nvenergy.com. (3/24/20)
  • Spring Creek – Water and Homeowners Association: Contact for updates on payments and resources: springcreeknv.org/elko-county-covid-19-updates. (3/24/20)
  • Southwest Gas – Gas: They are making some flexible payment options available to customers. They stress that their operations have not been impacted by the virus or business shutdown. Log into Southwest Gas’s MyAccount or their mobile app for access to flexible payment options from the comfort of your own home. Get more info here: swgas.com/en/covid19. (3/24/20)
  • White Cloud – Internet: No specific info about rates or payments during the shutdown whitecloudcom.com. They are out of Idaho, which has not had a state-mandated shutdown like Nevada, so they might not have a formal payment program yet. (3/24/20)
  • Frontier – Internet and phone: Not very much here either about their shutdown-related policies or flexible payment options. But they will allow you to sign up for internet service through their website (which you need internet service to use), so thank you for that, Frontier: frontier.com. (3/23/20)

Credit Cards:

You may also want to check your credit scores with Experian, TransUnion or Equifax. Always be alert to scams about checking your score and go directly to these providers. (3/24/20)


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