Resources

The situation is rapidly changing and people who normally would not be eligible for unemployment--such as self-employed, freelance, and gig workers--may in fact be able to receive benefits. Be patient--they may not have built out the resources you need yet!

Healthcare.gov Health Insurance (“Obamacare” or ACA plans)

Federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans

SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT

CO.STARTERS Guide to Recovery and Restarting after COVID-19

PERSONAL FINANCE RESOURCES

Growing Places Indy’s “Food in Transit” Program

Provides fresh, locally grown vegetables at the Julia M. Carson Transit Center
- Open every Wednesday 2-5pm from July through October
- Priced reasonably at $5 or $10 per pre-boxed and wrapped assortment
- SNAP, EBT, cash, credit, and debit payments accepted
- SNAP recipients get a 50% discount on orders up to $10
City of Indianapolis Rental Assistance Program
- Applications open July 13
- Renters living in Marion County are eligible for assistance
- Provides 3 months’ rent payments for those whose income was reduced due to COVID-19-related job loss
- Can be applied to back rent unpaid as early as April 1
State of Indiana Rental Assistance Program
- Applications open July 13
- Renters living in Indiana outside of Marion County are eligible for assistance
- Provides up to $2,000 to cover past-due and current rent payments and/or late fees for those whose income was reduced due to COVID-19-related job loss
- Not available to renters with a Section 8 voucher or who receive USDA Rural Development rental assistance, or who live in public housing, or who already receive rental assistance from another source
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) aka “food stamps”

SNAP is a federal program for very low income people to ensure that they receive food.
It is federal aid, but administered through the states: find Indiana’s program here: https://www.in.gov/fssa/dfr/2691.htm
Eligibility is restricted to households with assets totalling $5,000 or less (not including home, land, or personal belongings) and with income less than 130% of the poverty level (which varies according to household size).
Benefits vary according to the number of people in the household.
Benefits are provided using a swipe card and are reloaded automatically.
Assistance can only be spent on food items; not all food items can be paid for using SNAP funds.
Regular reporting is required and benefits are decreased as income increases.
Apply for benefits here: https://www.in.gov/fssa/dfr/2999.htm

Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) aka “welfare” https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/613
- TANF is a federal program for very low income people to ensure they can survive while they look for work. Typically, eligible recipients have used up all their unemployment income or are ineligible for unemployment compensation.
- It is federal aid, but administered through the states; find Indiana’s program here: https://www.in.gov/fssa/dfr/2684.htm
- Provides cash benefits for very low income families with children under 18
- Eligibility is restricted to households with children under 18 and with assets under $1,000 (except for your home)
- Benefits are provided based on number of eligible parents and number of children in the household; it’s possible for no adults to be eligible and only the children to be eligible
- To receive benefits, household adults must be actively searching for or training for a job: this funding is meant to provide a bridge to employment income
- Regular reporting is required and benefits are decreased as income increases
- Apply for benefits here: https://fssabenefits.in.gov/bp/#/
Indiana Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) - https://www.in.gov/ihcda/4067.htm
- - Provides a one-time $350 benefit to cover about 2 months of utility payments
  - Must have lost your job or had your work hours significantly reduced since the start of the COVID-19 emergency
  - Apply by July 31; receive benefit in approximately 90 days
If the coronavirus has you worried about your mortgage, these tools can help
https://www.curbed.com/2020/3/18/21185463/coronavirus-mortgage-tips-lenders-servicers-covid-19 and US Orders Up to a Yearlong Break on Mortgage Payments https://www.npr.org/2020/03/19/818343720/homeowners-hurt-financially-by-the-coronavirus-may-get-a-mortgage-break
Can You Reduce or Eliminate Your Student Loan Debt If You’ve Been Affected by the Pandemic Crisis? Use This Tool to Find Out
A Guide to COVID-19 and Your Finances: What You Need to Know
What to Know about Housing and Rent During the COVID-19 Emergency
Negotiating your Bank Debts During the COVID-19 Crisis
Free Financial Counseling from Pete the Planner
Financial Readiness Tips from FORUM Credit Union
IHCDA Coronavirus Eviction and Foreclosure Resource Guide
Am I Protected from Eviction During COVID-19? An Interactive Website (from ProPublica)