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COVID-19 Resources

Visit www.stayhomevirginia.com/ for a full list of resources available to Virginia residents.

To access financial assistance with your rent or mortgage payments, please click HERE

To see guidelines on requesting forbearance or mortgage relief, please click HERE

To file for unemployment, please click HERE

If you are seeking protective masks, please email Garrett Trent with your name and the number of masks you need for your family.

 

Financial Resources

Homeownership and Mortgages

Paying a mortgage is an important part of homeownership. If you are struggling to pay your mortgage, or are concerned about missing a payment, you should contact your mortgage servicer as soon as possible. You may qualify for financial relief options. 

See HERE for resources on getting a mortgage and maintaining a mortgage.

See HERE for Bankrate's tips on calculating an affordable mortgage payment for your family.

See HERE for information on mortgage relief options.

 

Foreclosure Assistance

If you are concerned about foreclosure, you should contact your mortgage servicer as soon as possible. Additionally, you should contact a HUD-approved housing counselor to receive free, professional assistance on avoiding foreclosure.

See HERE for a checklist on how to avoid foreclosure.

See HERE for a list of HUD-approved housing counseling agencies.

 

Managing Credit and Paying off Debt

Managing your credit and paying off debts can give you more financial freedom. 

See HERE for a video on steps to help get out of debt.

See HERE for a video on strategies for paying off debt.

Contact your bank - Many banks offer a wide range of helpful information, interactive tools, and strategies designed to help you reach your financial goals: Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Union Bank & Trust all offer assistance with some credit issues and improving credit if you have an account with them. Call your branch for more details or visit their website. 

 

Types of Debt

  • Secured vs. Unsecured - For information on secured and unsecured loans, click HERE.
  • Credit Cards - For information on managing credit cards, click HERE.
  • Medical Debt - For information on medical debt, click HERE.
  • Student Loans - For information on repaying student loans, click HERE.
  • Auto Loans - For information on auto loans and buying a car, click HERE.
  • Payday Loans - For information on payday loans, click HERE.
  • Cosigning Loans - For more information on cosigning loans, click HERE.

 

Calculating Your Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI)

Debt-to-income ratio (DTI) divides the total of all your monthly debt payments by your gross monthly income. The following websites have more information about understanding and calculating your DTI.  

  • Nerd Wallet - offers financial tools and objective advice to help people make informed decisions.  
  • Wells Fargo - Wells Fargo Smarter Credit TM Center offers news, perspectives, and tips for credit management.

 

Other Helpful Websites

  • To obtain a free copy of your credit report, click HERE.
  • To obtain a copy of your tax transcript, click HERE.
  • Feed the Pig - provides helpful tips for managing finances.
  • SmartyPig - provides savings opportunities.
  • EveryDollar - a phone app that allows you to track spending.
  • The Financial Trade Commission (FTC) -  provides resources on credit, debt, homes, jobs, making money, and more.

 

Professional Assistance

  • Habitat for Humanity - Contact one of our financial coaches for assistance creating a debt management plan.
  • Piedmont Housing Alliance (PHA) - Provides financial and credit counseling, as well as rental counseling and fair housing resources to area residents. Click HERE or call (434) 817-2436 to access PHA's services.
  • New Hill Development - Provides financial education and homebuyer counseling to area residents. Click HERE or call (434) 220-8072 ext. 115 to access their services.
  • Charlottesville Abundant Life Ministries - Provides personal finance classes to area residents. Click HERE or call (434) 970-2077 to access their services.

 

Negotiating with Creditors and Debt Collectors

The creditor is the company that originally provides you with the credit or loan. Negotiating with creditors can help to lower your rate or repayment plan.

Debt collectors are third party companies that have been hired to collect your debt. Debt negotiations with creditors and debt collectors can also help to avoid garnishments, judgments, foreclosure, and bankruptcy.

See HERE for a video on negotiating with creditors.

See HERE for information on negotiating a settlement with debt collectors.

 

Unemployment

You can file for unemployment benefits by completing an online application or by calling 1-866-832-2363 to get started.

See HERE for instructions to apply.

See HERE for a video on how to apply.

Click HERE to file for unemployment online.

 

Public Assistance

If you are experiencing financial difficulty, you might qualify for benefits through the state of Virginia. You can apply to public assistance programs including:

  • Food stamps (SNAP)
  • Cash assistance (TANF)
  • Utility assistance (LIHEAP)
  • Medical assistance 
  • Child care

Click HERE to apply online or call 1-855-635-4370 to get started.

 

Additional Community Resources

If you are searching for other types of assistance, please refer to one of the resources below.

  • Community Resource Helpline - Call (434) 234-4490 or complete this online form to be connected to services in the community.
  • United Way Quick Guide to Family Resources - Click HERE to access United Way's comprehensive community resource list.

 

Other Resources for Louisa Residents

 

Community Contacts

  • 540-967-1510 – Louisa County Resource Council (food assistance and other resource connections)
  • 540-967-9522 – Louisa Community Emergency Fund (Managed by MACAA, provides housing/utility financial assistance)
  • 540-967-1234 – Louisa County Sheriff (providing prescription drug pick-up and delivery service. Once your prescription is filled and read for pick up, call them
  • 434-972-6261 – TJHD COVID-19 Hotline (VA Dept. Health – Thomas Jefferson Health District)
  • 434-972-4010 – Albemarle Job Center (job seeking)
  • 866-832-2363 – Filing for Unemployment
  • 866-366-4357 – Dominion Virginia Power Utility
  • 800-552-3904 – Rappahannock Electric Cooperative
  • 434-263-8336 – Central VA Electric Cooperative

 

Local Websites

 

State/National Websites

 

Health Information

 

Legal Resources

  • Coronavirus-Related Legal Resources – A compilation of articles and resources. Link to the Site

 

Through these difficult times, please remember — Give yourself and those close to you what kindness and grace you can.  Offer the help that you can; accept the help that you need.  Our response together, as a community, will make us stronger and help us to pull through.  Hold on to the vision of a healthy and vibrant community for all.

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