COVID-19: Community Resources
As the COVID-19 crisis worsens, many of our families and small business owners are struggling to make ends meet. Tennessee has issued a stay at home order, closing down all non essential businesses. Here are some resources from the federal, state and local governments to help us through this trying time. May God protect us all.
US Government:
Families First Coronavirus Response Act
This bill establishes a federal emergency paid leave benefits program. It also requires employers to provide paid sick leave as well. Qualified businesses will receive credit/refund for paying these benefits.
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic
Coronavirus Stimulus Package
Congress just passes a bill which would give families direct financial assistance ($1200 plus $500/child) based on income for those affected by COVID-19, small business loans that my be forgiven, unemployment insurance and more. For detail onhow to access the benefits, visit
https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus-tax-relief-and-economic-impact-payments
Business/Organization Assistance
Financial assistance to small businesses and nonprofits, including mosques, are available from the Small Business Administration including the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Emergency Advance which gives $10,000 for businesses that does not need to be paid back and the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) which may also be forgiven.
https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options
AMAC SBA Loan Webinar Presentation: Click here
AMAC SBA Loan Webinar April 5th (first few minutes did not record): See on YouTube.
Payroll Protection Loan and Forgiveness Estimation Excel Worksheet: Click here
PPP Application PPP borrower application form
PPP Fact Sheet from US Treasury: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/PPP--Fact-Sheet.pdf
EIDL Emergency Advance application: https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/
More information on PPP and EIDL, click here and here.
For more resources for small businesses, click here
The permissibility of accepting SBA loans by Assembly of Muslim Jurist of American (AAMJA): Click here.
If your business needs help paying rent, please contact your property management company directly to work out a payment plan.
Mortgage Forbearance
Need help paying your mortgage or deferring payments? Payments through Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae can be reduced or suspended for up to 12 months. Other lending companies may be following with similar exceptions.
http://www.freddiemac.com/about/covid-19.html or https://www.fanniemae.com/portal/covid-19.html
Please contact your bank to see what relief they offer. For list of mortgage relief from other banks, visit
https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewdepietro/2020/03/31/banks-deferment-mortgage-coronavirus/#c5d95b756d79
Student Loans
Student loan payments have been suspended, interest free, until September 30, 2020.
https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/coronavirus
Income Tax Day
The deadline to file taxes has been moved to July 15.
For those who earn $66,000 or less, they can access free tax services at
https://www.volunteerforvita.org/
Tennessee:
Unemployment Benefits:
Because of COVID-19, unemployment benefits have been expanded to include those affected by the coronavirus, even those self-employed. To apply for unemployment benefits, visit
https://www.tn.gov/workforce/covid-19/employees.html
Unemployment Questions: https://www.tn.gov/workforce/covid-19/faq/employees.html
Unemployment Help for self-employed: https://www.tn.gov/workforce/covid-19/faq/selfemployed.html
How to certify while on unemployment: https://www.tn.gov/workforce/covid-19/employees.html
Frequently Asked Questions: https://lwdsupport.tn.gov/hc/en-us/categories/200070604-Unemployment
AMAC Webinar on Unemployment Insurance Q&A: Step by step guidelines for applying: Click here for slides. Click here to watch webinar.
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Family and Children Service
The TN Department of Human Service is providing financial assistance through TNAF for families effected by COVID-19 as well as free child care services for essential workers.
https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/covid-19/emergency-cash-assistance-and-covid-19-faqs.html
https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/covid-19/child-care-services-and-covid-19.html
Nashville:
Grant for Organizations Giving Assistance
Middle TN nonprofits (501c3), including faith based organizations can apply for a grant to provide assistance to community members in the form of rent, utilities, food and direct financial assistance. Here is more information
https://www.nashvilleresponsefund.com/organizations
Individual Assistance
For Middle TN specific resources for individuals, including rent/mortgage, utilities, food and direct financial assistance, the COVID-19 Response Fund has a list of resources at
https://www.nashvilleresponsefund.com/individuals
Financial Assistance:
To request financial assistance, the Nashville Muslim Care has an online application at
http://nashvillemuslimcare.org/
Additionally, Nashville has provided some financial safeguards:
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Metro Water has suspended cut-offs and will waive late fees for March. In addition, customers can request a payment plan for outstanding balances.
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NES has suspended all disconnects, including disconnects for nonpayment into April.
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Piedmont Gas has suspended all disconnects until further notice.
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The Sheriff’s Office has suspended eviction notices until further notice.
Food Distribution for anyone 18 yrs or younger
For Metro Nashville Public School students and anyone under 18, regardless of school, free meals along with food boxes will be distributed starting March 23. Student must be present to pick up food. Program will continue through the summer. For more information and pick up locations visit:
https://www.mnps.org/covid19
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Food Banks
To find a food bank near you, visit
https://www.secondharvestmidtn.org/get-help/
Click here for a list of COVID weekly food distribution locations.
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Shopping Assistance for Older Adults
Need help shopping for groceries, picking up medicines, or running errands? COVID Help Nashville will connect older adults with volunteers to help out. Delivery is free, but you must pay for your own groceries/items. Contact them by
email: COVIDHelpNashville@gmail.com
phone: 615.447.8260
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Memphis
Utilities and Rent/Mortgage Assistance
For Shelby County residence, help with paying your gas, water and electricity bills as well as rent/mortgage assistance is available.
https://shelbycountycsa.org/covid-19-updates/applying-for-services-during-the-covid-19
https://shelbycountytn.gov/3638/RESPONSE-TO-COVID-19
Utilities Cut-offs
Memphis Light, Gas, And Water will not cut-off services for unpaid bill. Click here for more information.
Food and Shopping Assistance
To either request food and shopping assistance or to volunteer to provide those service, please sign up with 901 Ummah.
https://www.901ummah.org/covid19
Food Distribution for anyone 18 yrs or younger
The Shelby County Schools will be distributing meals to children under the age of 18. The child must be present to receive a meal. For distribution sites, visit:
http://www.scsk12.org/coronavirusfacts/communitymeals#:~:text=
Knoxville
For updates on resources, click here.
Chattanooga
Financial and Food Assistance:
https://connect.chattanooga.gov/covid/
https://unitedwaycha.org/covid19/get-help/