Financial Coaching

Our financial coaches are here to help you make a financial plan during these difficult times. ​​

Click HERE to schedule a phone call or video chat consultation with one of our financial coaches.  

* Our financial coaches do not provide any investment advice. 

Check out our COVID-19 Financial resources below 

Personal Financial Tips

Our financial coaches have created a resource to provide some tips of steps you can take to protect your finances if you affected by COVID-19.

To access the English version please click HERE.

To access the Spanish version please click HERE.

What Should I Do with My Stimulus Check?

Our financial coaches have created a resource to help you make a plan of how to best use your Stimulus Check. 

To access the tipsheet Click HERE. 

Creditors

If you are unable to pay your credit card company, auto loan, or any other creditor give your servicers a call to see if you qualify for any hardship assistance. Because of COVID-19 many lenders have expanded their assistance programs and you might qualify for. This might include waiving certain fees like ATM, overpayments, and late fees, as well as allowing you to delay, adjust, or skip some payments. Be sure to mention that you have been affected because of COVID-19.

Student Loans 

Through the CARES act federal student loan borrowers will receive the following protections through September 30, 2020:

  • All payments will be suspended on covered federal student loans.
  • Borrowers will continue to receive credit towards loan forgiveness.
  • Interest rates on eligible federal loans will be reduce to zero percent.
  • Borrowers will receive credit reporting protections.
  • Collection activities on covered loans will be on pause for the duration of the payment suspension.

What actions should I take to benefit from the student loan payment suspension?

  • Cancel your autopay so you can protect and hold onto your income. Payments will still be accepted however they will be applied to the principal (the original balance of your loan).
  • Enroll in or recertify your income driven-repayment plan so that when your payments restart in October they are still affordable.
  • If your wages are being garnished, speak to your human resources department to have the garnishment paused.

To learn more please visit the Student Borrow Protection Center’s COVID-10 resource page linked HERE.

Utilities

If you are struggling to make your utility payment contact your service provider to see if you qualify for shut off protection or hardship assistance.

Click HERE to learn more about DTE’s COVID-19 response.

Click HERE to learn more about Consumer’s Energy COVID-19 response.

Unemployment

The fastest and most efficient way to apply for unemployment is to do so through their online portal.

Click HERE to learn what you need to file your claim.

Click HERE for series of how-to videos for navingating the online portal for your application. 

The unemployment insurance agency has requested people file on certain days by their last name. To see when you should apply please reference the image below.

Click HERE to start your application.

Mortgages

If you are are struggling to make on-time mortgae payments due to COVID-19, forberance might be an option for you. 

Click HERE for the CFPB Guide to Mortgage Forbearance and HERE for a video on what you need to know beforehand. 

Click HERE for information on Michigan's Mortgae Forebearance program. 

Public Assistance 

If you have had a significant change or loss of income you might qualify for benefits through the state. You can apply to several programs through MDHHS like:

  • Food stamps (SNAP)
  • Cash assistance (TANF)
  • Utility assistance (SER)
  • Health insurance (Medicaid)

Click HERE to start your application. 

Property Taxes 

Governor Whitmer has ordered an extension of the March 31, 2020 tax foreclosure redemption deadline to May 29, 2020. To learn more click HERE.

Free Community Resources 

If you need other types of assistance please reference one of the resources below.

  • Call 2-1-1 or click HERE to be connected to services in our community.

  • Click HERE for Washtenaw County’s Essential Service list.

  • Click HERE for Engage@EMU comprehensive resource list. 

 

United Way of Washtenaw County