Policy Spotlight: Eviction Moratorium
If you’re one of roughly 11 million U.S. adults behind on your rental payments, you’re not alone. Help is on the way.
Tuesday’s announcement by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to extend the federal eviction moratorium through October 3, 2021 covers roughly 90 percent of renters and will give states more time to disperse the remaining $43 billion in emergency rental relief allocated by Congress.
Below are four recommendations to navigate that help and the moratorium on your path to financial resilience.
Find Rental Assistance in Your State
Find rental assistance in your state here. Check the list to see if your city, county, Tribe, or Tribally Designated Housing Entity has a more specific program website before applying through the state. In most cases, states encourage tenants and landlords to apply to the local program in their area.
Find Local Legal Aid Organizations
If you’re facing eviction, find local legal aid organizations to contact in your area here.
Not all courts are interpreting the CDC order in the same way, and in a few jurisdictions, protections may not apply.
Contact Creditors to Discuss Hardships
Contact your creditors to discuss your situation. Here is a guide for how to do so.
Even if your payment history is less than perfect, you will still make better arrangements by being forthright. Explain your current situation. Tell them you are not able to keep up with your payments. Frankly discuss your future income prospects so you and your creditors can figure out solutions to the problem. Most creditors would prefer to receive smaller payments on a regular basis than to begin expensive collection procedures.
Maximize Your Child Tax Credit Payments
If you’re a renter and a parent then you’re most likely eligible for Advance Child Tax Credits of up to $300 per month per child through December. TrustPlus Personal Finance Coach Chris Capellan covers everything you need to know here.
If you haven’t received your payments and did not file taxes in 2019 or 2020, use this link to update your information with the IRS to make sure you receive your payments.
If you filed your 2020 taxes but need to update your information with the IRS about marital status or a significant change in income, bookmark this other link for “late Summer” when the IRS says it will enable you to update your information to make sure they send you the right amount of money. You can also use it to opt out of the monthly payments should you prefer to receive the entire Child Tax Credit in lump sum when you file your taxes next year.
Of note, Individual Taxpayer Identification Number filers with children who have Social Security Numbers do qualify!
Have more questions about the federal eviction moratorium? See The National Low Income Housing Coalition’s FAQ for renters here.
