SUMMARY

Financial hardship is something no one should have to experience alone – we want to help.

We’ve created a list of resources and links to help if you’re experiencing financial hardship.

STEPS TO TAKE IF YOU’RE CONCERNED ABOUT PAYING BILLS

Budget

• If you haven’t looked at a budget in a while, now’s the time to do so. Every Dollar is a great free app to use to get a budget together.
• Get clarity from your income sources as to what the reality will look like over the coming weeks.

Cut spending to bare necessities. If you can’t pay all of your bills, Dave Ramseyrecommends you spend your money on these four items first and in this order:

• Food
• Utilities
• Shelter
• Transportation

Defer Payments

• If you’re still not able to cover all of your expenses, identify payments that can be deferred:
  • Call creditors to explain your situation. You can ask for temporary relief on your monthly payments. If you offer to still send some money, even if it’s a smaller amount than your typical payment, they might be more willing to work with you.
  • If you have federal student loans, you can forbear (interest accrues) or defer (interest doesn’t accrue on subsidized federal loans) your loan payments.
  • For student loans, use this questionnaire to understand what options are available to you.
• If you’re paying extra on debt(s) right now and have less than one to two months’ worth of expenses in an emergency fund, it might not be a bad idea to temporarily stop extra payments and then restart them once things settle down.
• Enroll for health insurance, if you can.
• Use this week to get a game plan together and gather information, as there may be more changes coming.
• Reach out to the MoneyWise team using an email address listed above if you want to talk.

FINANCIAL AND FOOD ASSISTANCE RESOURCES

All of Metro Atlanta

• Buckhead Christian Ministry – Food, Clothing, Rent, and Utility Assistance Request help. Explore resources.
• One Need – Financial Assistance
• Good Samaritan Health Center – Sliding-Fee Medical Care
• Student Meals (by School District), Atlanta Public Schools, Fulton County Schools, Additional City of Atlanta Locations – Student Meals
• Benefits.gov – Coronavirus Resources
• unitedwayatlanta.org or Dial 211 from Any Phone – Financial Assistance Resources
• auntbertha.com – Financial Assistance Resources

Fayette County

• Real Life Center 770-631-9334
• i58 Mission 770-301-0870

Coweta County

• Real Life Center 770-631-9334
• Community Action 770-884-2651
• Salvation Army 770-251-8181
• Bridging the Gap 770-683-9110
• i58 Mission 770-301-0870

Fulton County

• Community Brickworks 770-463-6600