AHAVAS YISROEL FINANCIAL G’MACH – INTEREST FREE LOANS
Rabbi Babayov – 248-229-9340
FINANCIAL - Assistance
Loans, terms, and qualifications are determined on a case by case basis for members in good standing of the Greater Detroit Jewish Community.
JFS/LEV DETROIT
248-592-2244 – srosenbloom@jfsdetroit.org
Lev Detroit is a dedicated resource line with the mission of connecting Detroit’s Orthodox Jewish Community to culturally sensitive services. Lev Detroit can refer individuals to mental health and financial services at JFS as well as the community at large.
HEBREW FREE LOAN
248-723-8184 – hfldetroit.org/resources
Hebrew Free Loan is up and running during the COVID-19 pandemic to help Jews across
Michigan who face financial challenges with interest-free loans up to $10,000. Please complete the online application to the best of your ability. Upon submission of your application, a HFL staff member will contact you to review your request and schedule a loan interview with two members of our board of directors. Loan interview process will be expedited remotely so it is safe and in accordance with social distancing. If you prefer not to complete an application online, please call the office at to have a staff member enter your information for you.
JFS FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES
248-592-2313 – jfsdetroit.org
JFS social workers provide case management to individuals and families who are facing financially challenging times and are struggling to meet the most basic of needs. Social workers help identify each person’s goals and develop a plan for addressing them. Financial assistance may be available to households under 200% of federal poverty guidelines and demonstrating financial need.
OAKLAND COUNTY HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
248-858-5401 – tinyurl.com/OCHome-Improvement-Program
Qualified homeowners may receive interest-free loans of up to $18,000 to make needed home repairs, including barrier free access and energy saving upgrades. There are no monthly payments and the total loan is due and payable only when you no longer live in your home.
To qualify, you must:
Own and live in your own home in Oakland County (the City of Lake Angelus, Novi Township, Southfield Township and Village of Bingham Farms do not participate in the program). Meet gross household income limits set by the federal government. (Contact the number to get the current income qualifications.)
Repairs must result in the home being “decent, safe and sanitary.” Approval is based on home improvement needs, financial situation and availability of funds at the time of application.
SHIP PROGRAM
(Southfield Residents) – 248-796-4177
The Southfield Home Improvement Program (SHIP) is a zero-interest deferred loan program for income qualified homeowners. The focus of the program concentrates on the maintaining of the existing structure as it relates to health and safety issues and minimum housing standards. Typical improvements include roofs, windows, doors, siding, insulation, heating, electrical and plumbing repairs.
Eligibility –
• You must be a homeowner/occupant.
• You must have owned the home for at least one year.
• The home must be covered by homeowners insurance.
• The property taxes must be current.
• Only one lien currently existing on the property.
• The combined annual household gross income must not exceed the income limits as determined by HUD.
FINANCIAL – Unemployment
STATE OF MICHIGAN UNEMPLOYMENT INFORMATION
If you are unemployed – or if you are sick, quarantined or taking care of family members who are ill due to COVID-19 – you are eligible to file for unemployment assistance from the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency. Additionally, public health first responders who are will or quarantined due to exposure are also
eligible. Self-employed workers and independent contractors who don’t have unemployment insurance are now eligible as well. Here’s how to file a claim:
• Online at michigan.gov/uia in the MiWAM portal Due to higher-than-average demand, the MiWAM portal may be overloaded.
Officials advise accessing the portal during off-peak hours from 8pm to 8am
Last names beginning with letters A-L are asked to file claims on Mon, Wed or Fri.
Last names beginning with letters M-Z are asked to file claims on Sun, Tues or Thurs.
• Call 1-866-500-0017
Last names beginning with letters A-L are asked to call on Mon & Wed between 8am-6pm
Last names beginning with letters M-Z are asked to call on Tues & Thurs between 8am-6pm
Fridays (8am-6pm) will be available for those who could not file during their allotted window.
OAKLAND COUNTY PROPERTY TAX HELP
248-858-0611
If you face a hardship preventing you from paying your property taxes, there is a program to help pay your delinquent property taxes. The program is called the “Step Forward Michigan Loan Rescue Program for Property Tax Assistance,” and helps some eligible homeowners pay off their delinquent taxes.
ELIGIBILITY –
1. Owner Occupied Homes Only – You must live in your home, no land contracts.
2. Delinquent Taxes – You must owe delinquent taxes, interest, or fees on that home.
3. Hardship – You must face a hardship preventing you from paying your taxes.
4. Cash Reserves – Less than 1.5 times your annual property tax bill in your account. Applicants are encouraged to apply with help from our partner agencies, including:
Community and Home Improvement, Oakland County; JVS; New Hope; OLHSA; Southwest
Solutions; and Lakeshore Legal Aid.
SBA LOANS – FEMA/SBA LOANS FROM THE FLOOD OF 2014
If your disaster loan was in “regular servicing” status on March 1, 2020, the SBA is providing automatic deferments through December 31, 2020. Interest will continue to accrue on the loan. The deferment will NOT cancel any established recurring payments on your loan. Borrowers that have established automatic payments are responsible for canceling these payments. You may continue remitting payments during the deferment period and the SBA will apply those payments normally as if there was no deferment. Borrowers that cancelled recurring payments will need to reestablish the recurring payment.
If you have questions about your current loan please contact 800-736-6048 or email:
Birmingham- DLSC@sba.gov or 1-800-487-6019 or email: ElPasoDLSC@sba.gov
FINANCIAL - Credit Cards
Many credit card issuers offer hardship programs that can temporarily adjust the terms of your card account if you’re having financial challenges. They might offer to lower the minimum amount due, reduce the interest rate for a period of time or waive late fees. Multiple issuers have said they’re ready to help account holders during the pandemic, but each are made on a case-by-case basis.
Start by contacting customer service. Call the number on the back of your card, or log into your account online and start a chat (if they offer live chat.) The phone number printed on the back of your card is the best one to call but if that doesn’t work, here’s a list of popular credit cards and customer service numbers:
{Due to high demand, call wait times may be longer than normal}:
American Express: 866-703-4169
Bank of America: 800-732-9194
Barclaycard: 877-523-0478
Capital One: 800-227-4825
Chase: 800-432-3117
Citi: 800-950-5114
Discover: 800-983-1412
U.S. Bank: 800-285-8585
Vibe Credit Union: 248-735-9500
Wells Fargo: 800-642-4720
FINANCIAL –Taxes
The U.S. Treasury secretary moved the IRS tax filing deadline to July 15, 2020. That’s also the last day to pay any taxes you owe. If you have questions about deferring your taxes, try one of these IRS phone numbers. Self-employed taxpayers with account or tax law questions: 800-829-4933 Balance due questions: 800-829-0922; 800-829-7650; 800-829-3903 To check the status of a tax refund: 800-829-1954 To check the status of a tax refund being held: 866-897-3315 Rather check the status of your refund online?www.nerdwallet.com/blog/taxes/track-myrefund/
Concerned about falling behind on your taxes? There’s a few options to get relief. You can set up a payment plan with the IRS, apply to settle back taxes for less than you owe or temporarily put them on hold.
FINANCIAL – Banks
Banks across the country are taking steps to help consumers impacted by the Coronavirus.
Many times these offers are extended only when requested! Consumers are encouraged to
find out whether their banks are included on the list of those making policy adjustments.
Here are a few changes some banks have made during this time to support customers
who are struggling to make ends meet: Waive overdraft fees, defer payments on credit cards, defer auto and mortgage loans for customers, suspending fees when customers use other banks’ ATMs, raising withdrawal limits and waiving all monthly service fees, including early-withdrawal fees on CDs. Most banks are encouraging customers who are having financial hardships to contact the bank directly and ask for assistance.
Here is a list of some of the larger institutions and phone numbers to contact {Due to high demand, call wait times may be longer than normal}:
Bank of America: 800-432-1000
Capital One: 877-383-4802
Chase: 800-935-9935
Citi: 800-374-9700
Comerica: 800-266-3742
Discover: 800-347-2683
Santander: 844-728-0999
TCF Bank: 833-568-6259
U.S. Bank: 888-287-7817
Wells Fargo: 800-869-3557
