Financial Resources

Financial Resources

Texas Watch is committed to helping consumers navigate these difficult times. It is important that we all stay home and stay safe. To help you do so, we have compiled resources related to finances here. For more resources, please see texaswatch.org/covid19. 

Federal Stimulus Bill: 

• See FAQ from the New York Times about the stimulus package

• Coronavirus stimulus check scams are out to swindle you out of $1,200: What you need to know.

Financial Resources for the Small Business Owners:  

• SBA.Gov's Small Business Resources and business counselors

• Quickbooks' Tips for Small businesses

• The DOL's statement on paid sick leave rights as an employee and employer

• Learn about the Comptroller’s statement on business taxes

• COVID-19 and the American Workplace (D.O.L.)

• TWC resources for employers 

• Resources for child care from the Texas Workforce Commission

If you need help paying bills:

• Check out USPIRG's Delaying Bill Payments During COVID-19

Tips Filing Unemployment Benefits:

• Apply for unemployment benefits with the Texas Workforce Commission 

  • Texas Workforce Commission asks that you call during certain hours based on your area code. For information, please see their website. 

  • If you are having trouble accessing the system, try filing for benefits between the hours of 10PM and 8AM.

  • See TWC's flowchart on timeline of unemployment benefits.

  • Be on the lookout for job scams!

• Learn what federal benefits are available to you: Benefits.gov

• Learn about unemployment insurance from the AFL-CIO

• AFL-CIO’s Guide to Surviving Unemployment

• Texas Workforce Commission’s resources for job seekers

• NPR’s How to Get Unemployment, Skip Loan Payments, and More

• For restaurant workers: Apply for a $500 grant

• For restaurant workers: Southern Smoke's Emergency Assistance Application

• For restaurant workers: Eater's A List of Relief Funds

• Career exploration, training, and jobs with Career One Stop

If you are facing eviction: 

• See your housing rights with Austin Tenants Council

• Your rights as a tenant in Texas (BASTA)

• Tenant letter to landlord for inability to pay (BASTA)

• Resources from the Texas Apartment Association

• Evictions in Texas are halted, but what happens to renters when the suspension lifts? (Dallas Morning News)

• Explaining the eviction policy in Texas during the coronavirus pandemic (Houston Chronicle)

• Read about how the Texas Supreme Court suspends Eviction Hearings (Office of the Governor)

• If you are in the North Dallas area and have legal questions about evictions, please email dallas-evictions2020@gmail.com.

Call 2-1-1 for additional resources. If you have additional information that would be helpful for Texas consumers, please email texaswatch@texaswatch.org

Last updated: April 6, 2020