State specific information and updates. This page is updated frequently. (updated April 6, 2020)
State Information
Colorado
State income tax payments for the 2020 year deadline has been extended to July 15, 2020 without penalty.
Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is being ordered to develop and provide payment assistance to customers in the payment of their utility bills.
Governor Polis order on March 20, 2020 that $3,000,000 is being made available to DOLA to provide short-term rental and mortgage assistance to low-income households facing financial hardship due to economic disruption associated with COVID-19, and prioritizing assistance to those who had continuous prior work history and lost employment related to CDPHE’s current or future COVID-19 Public Health Orders. These funds shall remain available for six months from March 20, 2020.
Connecticut
Connecticut has extended the deadline for filing personal state income tax returns to July 15.
All foreclosure actions that would have occurred in April or May have been rescheduled to June 2, 2020.
Mortgage relief options are available for homeowners with loans through Fannie Mae.
Indiana residents have until July 15, 2020, to pay their individual tax returns.
Providers of essential utility services such as gas and electric, broadband, telecom, water, and wastewater services are prohibited from discontinuing services to any customer during public health emergency.
No residential eviction proceedings or foreclosure actions may be initiated during the public health emergency. This does not relieve the individual of obligations to pay rent or mortgage payments.
Commissioner of the state Department of Insurance will request that insurers institute a 60-day moratorium on policy cancellations for non-payment of premiums. This does not suspend a policyholder’s obligation to make payments. The commissioner will ask health insurers to cover COVID-19 testing without requiring prior authorization. The commissioner will request that health insurers not increase prices or coverage costs that involve medical care for COVID-19.
Late fees will be waived for several driver’s licenses and ID card renewals, vehicle registrations, titles, and certain other transactions.
General questions from the public about COVID-19 can be directed to the ISDH COVID-19 Call Center at 1-877-826-0011.
Illinois
Income tax filling and payment deadline has been extended to July 15, 2020.
Any student in the Chicago Public Schools district can receive boxes of food containing three days of breakfast and lunch. The boxes are available at CPS schools between 9A and 1P each day the schools are closed. ISBE obtained a waiver from the federal government to continue distributing meals to all children who qualify for free and reduced lunch.
Risk assessment to determine if you are eligible to be tested for COVID-19.
Governor Pritzker has urged the IL Commerce Commission to immediately institute a moratorium on shutoffs for all utility companies across IL, including energy, telecommunications, and water, until the state disaster proclamation has been lifted.
Several providers have announced plans to maintain services and waive late payments fees.
Kansas
State of Kansas extends tax filing deadline to July 15.
The Food Assistance & Nutrition Program is a nutrition assistance program, which provides a Kansas Benefit card (plastic debit card) to eligible persons for use in purchasing food from local grocery stores. Complete information regarding Food Assistance eligibility can be obtained by contacting your nearest Department for Children and Families Office or by calling 1-888-369-4777.
If you need assistance finding child care, contact Child Care Aware of Kansas at 1-877-678-2548.
TEFAP provides free USDA commodities to households with income below 130% of the federal poverty level.
SNAP food assistance is a monthly benefit which allows individuals and families to purchase food for themselves and their families.
TANF cash assistance provides a monthly benfit to low income families with children to help them pay for basic needs, including shelter, utilities, diapers, and transportation.
Child care assistance provides a monthly benefit to working families to help pay all or part of their child care expenses.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts has extended the 2019 state income tax filing and payment deadline from April 15 to July 15.
Project Bread has a hunger help-line and comprehensive listing of school meal sites. You can also visit the Greater Boston Food Bank for nutritional resources.
Both domestic violence and child welfare concerns are heightened in times of stress, and even more so with school closures and social distancing. The Children’s Trust has a good list of resources around domestic and family violence issues as well as support for parents.
Emergency family shelter may become necessary for some families who are facing a housing crisis or fleeing domestic violence.
MI Bridges can help you access more than 30,000 state and local services across the state. You can find resources and also apply for benefits. The website offers a streamlined and dynamic application for multiple programs including:
Healthcare Coverage – helps pay for medical costs
Food Assistance Program (FAP) – provides benefits to buy food
Child Development & Care (CDC) – helps pay for childcare costs
Cash Assistance – provides cash to meet your basic needs
State Emergency Relief (SER) – provides help or assistance for emergency house and utilities
Missouri
Missouri has extended the deadline for filing personal state income tax returns to July 15.
Family Support Division (FSD) received approval to extend food stamp benefits for individuals up for recertification in March, April, and May. Those benefits will be extended by 6 months and recipients do not need to call in or submit any verification.
is waiving all work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents through the end of the federal emergency COVID-19 declaration.
Once approved, DSS will: Issue Pandemic Food Stamp/Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (P-SNAP) benefits, which will allow all households currently eligible for SNAP to receive the maximum amount for their household size for March and April. Anyone who is currently eligible for SNAP will automatically receive P-SNAP. For more information, read our Frequently Asked Questions.
Offer a Pandemic EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) (P-EBT), which is a temporary SNAP benefit available while schools are closed for households with children who receive free and reduced lunch at school. You do not already have to receive SNAP to get this benefit. For more information, read our Frequently Asked Questions.
The USDA Food & Nutrition Service approved the waiver request to temporarily suspend food stamp telephone interviews and is waiving work requirements for Temporary Assistance (TANF) recipients
The FSD information line (1-855-FSD-INFO) will temporarily expand their hours and operate 7 days a week. The new hours are: M-F 6:00 am – 6:30 pm, Saturday 8:00 am -5:00 pm, and Sunday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm.
Child Care: Licensed Child Care Subsidy provider agreements are extended through July 31, 2020.
Registered Child Care Subsidy benefits are extended for 90 days. The Child Care Subsidy program will work on a case-by-case basis to approve additional hours of care for families affected by COVID-19.
There will be no co-pays for COVID-19 testing for MO HealthNet participants.
Consistent with the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act, effective immediately, the Department of Social Services will not terminate eligibility for any Medicaid participant unless the individual requests a voluntary termination of eligibility or the individual ceases to be a resident of the state through the end the federal emergency COVID-19 declaration.
MO HealthNet coverage will be extended to Missourians ages 19-64 who test positive for COVID-19 and meet the income and resource eligibility guidelines. Income is not to exceed 85% of the federal poverty level and the resource limits are $4,000 for individuals and $8,000 couples.
MO HealthNet is relaxing requirements related to prescription refills and prior authorizations to ensure participants have access to essential medications.
Governor Walz issued an order to halt evictions on renters who are affected by the coronavirus, waive late fees and provide residents alternative, flexible payment plans until 5/31.
Bus rides are fare-free in an order to assist those commuters going to workplaces that provide essential services.
Guidance for filing an unemployment claim. The table below lists the day and time to start an application based on the last digit of your SSN. For example: a person with the SSN XXX-XX-XXX6 would apply on Wednesday.
If the last digit of yourSSN is:
Day of week you should apply online:
0, 1 or 2
Monday
3, 4 or 5
Tuesday
6, 7, 8 or 9
Wednesday
Any number
Thursday
Any number
Friday
New Hampshire
The NH Bureau of Family Assistance (BFA) administers programs and services for eligible NH residents by providing financial, medical and food & nutrition assistance. Learn how to apply or reapply for assistance, check eligibility, report changes, track your application status and more by visiting the NH EASY Gateway to Services web page.
By order of Governor Sununu, landlords are prohibited from initiating evictions for tenants unable to pay rent through the crisis and puts a halt to any judicial or non-judicial foreclosures.
An order by the Governor also prevents utility companies, internet companies, and cable companies from shutting off access to gas, electricity, water, internet, cable, telephone and other services as the crisis continues – even if consumers are unable to pay. At the end of the state of emergency, those customers that fell behind on those payments can make a payment plan to reimburse the utility companies, but that payment plan must be at least six months, the order states. All late fees must be waived.
Guidance for filing an unemployment claim:
New Jersey
NJ water companies suspend all shut-offs during outbreak & moratorium on removing from homes.
New Jersey’s website has excellent information pertaining to potential benefits at https://nj.gov.
Public Education Dept. (PED) will continue working with districts, tribal schools, shelters, and CYFD to operate meal programs.
Public Education Dept. (PED) is applying to be able to distribute EBT cards to qualifying families to purchase meals with their free breakfast/lunch allotment.
New Mexico Crisis Access Line (NMCAL, 1- 855-NMCRISIS) on other technological solutions to provide emergency mental health services across the state.
Utility services assistance please call the state’s COVID-19 general hotline at 1-833-551-0518.
Guidance for filing an unemployment claim:
New York
New York state’s income tax filing deadline is being moved to July 15.
Unemployment 7-day waiting period waived.
The presidential primary election will move from April 28 to June 23rd, aligning it with the congressional and legislative primaries in New York.
New York will implement a 90-day moratorium on evictions for residential and commercial tenants.
The Department of Financial Services has issued a new directive to New York State mortgage servicers to provide 90-day mortgage relief to mortgage borrowers impacted by the novel coronavirus.
The Governor has also asked DFS to instruct state chartered banks to waive ATM fees, late fees, overdraft fees and fees for credits cards to help lessen the financial hardship of the COVID-19 pandemic on New Yorkers.
Major utilities will suspend service shutoffs to households during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Testing is free to all eligible New Yorkers as ordered by a health care provider or by calling the NYS COVID-19 hotline at 1-888-364-3065.
There is a new mobile testing site at the Bay Plaza AMC Theater at 2210 Bartow Ave in the Bronx. Site hours will be Monday – Sunday, 8am – 6pm. Appointment only.
Pharmacies have agreed to offer free home delivery to help reduce long lines for prescriptions at their facilities.
Governor Cuomo announced the State Department of Financial Services will require insurance companies to waive co-pays for telehealth visits. This action will encourage New Yorkers to seek medical attention from their homes rather than visit a hospital or doctor’s office — ultimately reducing strain on the healthcare system and preventing further spread of the virus.
New Yorkers can call the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for mental health counseling.
Ohio
Individual Income Tax filing deadline extended to July 15, 2020.
Contact your local school district to learn how free breakfast and lunches are being distributed to students.
Recent federal guidelines give financial institutions more tools to help Ohioans – for banking updates, learn more at Ohio Bankers League and Ohio Credit Unions.
Coping with COVID-19 Anxiety: Help for people coping with anxiety over coronavirus.
Pennsylvania
Income Tax Return Filing Deadline has been extended to July 15, 2020. The PA Dept. of Revenue and customer service call center are closed at this time – more information.
Regulatory agencies have encouraged financial institutions to work with customers impacted by the coronavirus. Contact your lender if you need financial help.
PA Public Utility Commission signed emergency order prohibiting terminations by utilities that are under PUC’s jurisdiction.
Food pantries continue to operate and some have updated hours – all are working on ways to connect people with food without risking contact – more information.
Grocery help also available to others such as families and meals for older adults.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike has temporarily suspended cash payments.
The deadline for older adults and Pennsylvania residents with disabilities to apply for rebates on rent and property taxes paid in 2019 has been extended from June 30 to Dec. 31, 2020.
On Friday, March 27, Governor Wolf signed Senate Bill 422, which reschedules the 2020 primary election from April 28 to June 2.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin tax filing deadline extended to July 15.
Couleecap is launching the COVID-19 Financial Assistance Program for low-to-moderate wage workers whose employment has been ended or reduced due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The program will provide limited financial assistance for critical expenses, emergency budgeting help, and referrals to programs available to people in need. A simple, online application process will determine recent unemployment, income eligibility, and critical needs of the household so appropriate assistance can be determined. Residents seeking assistance can complete an application.
Free Internet: Internet providers are offering short term free access to the internet, and discounted access for lower-income families as students and families need access to the internet so that that learning can continue during extended school closures, and parents can keep up with important school information as it becomes available.
The Department of Administration is changing the eligibility requirements for residents seeking heating and electric assistance through the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program in response to COVID-19. Those who were recently unemployed, received a layoff or disconnection notice and are having difficulty paying energy bills can go to the DOA Home Energy Plus program website for additional resources and information.
