Helping People Heal from Life's Hurts
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. If you would like to speak with a staff member about your financial situation, please contact Families-In-Crisis staff. (FIC)
STEPS TO TAKE IF YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT PAYING YOUR BILLS.
​BUDGET
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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.
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Get clarity from your income sources as to what the reality will look like over the coming weeks.
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Cut spending to bare necessities. If you can’t pay all of your bills, Dave Ramsey recommends you spend your money on these four items first and in this order:
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Food
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Utilities
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Shelter
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Transportation
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DEFER PAYMENTS
If you’re still not able to cover all your expenses, identify payments that can be deferred:
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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.
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If you have federal student loans, you can forbear (interest accrues) or defer (interest doesn’t accrue on subsidized federal loans) your loan payments.
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For student loans, use this questionnaire to understand what options are available to you.
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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.​​
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Reach out to the FIC team using an email address listed above if you want to talk.
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
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Go to: How to file an unemployment claim with the Texas Workforce Commission.​
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For people that don’t qualify for traditional unemployment, like freelancers, here’s another option.
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Enroll for health insurance, if you can.
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Use this week to get a game plan together and gather information, as there may be more changes coming.
FINANCIAL AND FOOD ASSISTANCE RESOURCES
LOCAL ASSISTANCE
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RockPointe Church Families-In-Crisis (FIC) Request help
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Hill Country Community Ministries – Food Assistance
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HCCM Thrift Store – Clothing Assistance
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United Way Austin – Financial and job training assistance
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Benefits.gov – Coronavirus Resources
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School Age Student Meals – Student Meals
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The Caring Place – Food, rent, utilities, transportation
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Lonestar Circle of Care – Discounted Medical Services