If you lost your job because of COVID-19-related shutdowns, you may feel overwhelmed right now. It’s especially important when you’re financially stressed to get a realistic look at your finances and make informed money choices. The Department of Consumer Affairs has rounded up these free online resources:  

• Get in touch with your feelings and finances.  

The Extension Service offers a free online resource, Managing Money in Tough Times, that has simple advice on everything from managing stress to prioritizing which bills to pay first. There are even tips on ways the kids can help cut household expenses. The site predates the Coronavirus, but it’s a good a good place to start if you feel stuck or afraid.

• Make a monthly budget if you haven’t already done so.  

Knowing what financial shape you’re in will help you make better choices. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers advice on how to make a budget and stick to it. This easy worksheet can help. Call 211 (United Way’s First Call for Help) to be put in touch with agencies that can provide free help with payment difficulties and financial advice.  

• Contact your creditors if you’ll have trouble making payments. 

  Many banks and lenders have announced they will waive fees, forgive interest or adjust payments for distressed consumers in response to the pandemic. Broadband and telephone service providers have signed a Federal Communications Commission pledge to put terminations on hold and waive late fees.  

• Take advantage of utility relief programs if you need them.  

Cleveland Water is suspended disconnections and is reconnecting people who lost water for nonpayment during the crisis. Dominion is doing the same. The Illuminating Company has suspended shutoffs and is offering payment options. (To avoid utility shutoff scams, please contact the utility directly using the number or website on your utility bill. No utilities accept gift cards, money wires or Bitcoin as payment.)   

• Don’t lose money to scams. 

People can be more vulnerable to scams when they’re financially stressed – so keep your guard up. Ignore email or robocalls that offer you “interest-rate cuts” or ask you to reveal your Social Security or credit card numbers or make payments using gift cards are scams. The Department of Consumer Affairs has created a scams page to help you identify many types scams, including COVID-19 scams. Our Scam Squad partner, the Federal Trade Commission is tracking coronavirus scams at ftc.gov/coronavirus  

• Seek benefits if you lost your job or can’t make ends meet. 

Benefits have been expanded to help you cope. Contact unemployment services. Use Cuyahoga County’s online services portal to get help finding or signing up for benefits. You also can call 211 for assistance. 

• If you’re in foreclosure, you may have breathing room. 

The County Treasurer’s office has temporarily suspended foreclosures on owner- or renter-occupied homes. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development similarly issued a temporary moratorium on foreclosures and evictions of FHA-insured single-family homes.  

• Be careful ordering online.  

Given that businesses are abruptly closing, if you order online, use a credit card. Credit cards give you dispute rights that debit cards do not have. A debit card transaction takes money out of your account and, if there’s a billing error, you have to fight to get it back.  

• Get reliable updates. 

The financial assistance being provided to Coronavirus-impacted consumers is constantly changing. Steer clear of misinformation that may pop up on social media. Most mainstream media sites have dropped paywalls to help people get reliable, up-to-date information on personal finances and coronavirus, including the New York Times’ Your Money site. Local media are offering updates online and through apps. And Cuyahoga County’s website is another hub for coronavirus information and services.