Coronavirus: Financial help ahead; more left to do!

[Consumer Reports]   Dear Friend, As Congress looks to possibly take up another coronavirus relief package, Consumer Reports continues the fight for consumer protections that safeguard your family’s health and financial future. More than 75,000 consumers signed our original petition to Congress to make sure anyone undergoing financial hardship due to the pandemic doesn’t suffer even more. That means having debts like rent, mortgage and car loans temporarily waived; getting a manageable path back to repaying those debts with no negative impact on credit scores; and protections from surprise medical bills for receiving COVID-19 treatment. [If you haven’t yet signed the petition, add your name so we can keep up the pressure on Congress to finish the job! No one should face financial hardship due to this pandemic!](  [Sign petition](  Meanwhile, the $2 trillion financial aid package passed last week by Congress contains some immediate help for those who are financially struggling due to coronavirus: - [Direct cash payment:]( A one-time payment up to $1,200 for individuals ($2,400 for couples) and $500 for each child 16 and younger. The maximum a family can receive is $7,500, and the payments are based on income. - [Increased unemployment benefits]( The federal government is increasing state unemployment benefits by $600 per week for four months. Benefits will also be extended by an additional 13 weeks. Gig workers and freelancers, who previously were not able to claim unemployment, will also be covered. - [Student loan payments:]( Borrowers will not have to make any payments through Sept. 30 on certain federal student loans, though that money will have to be paid later. Interest during the six-month period will be waived entirely. - [Retirement plan withdrawals]( For those affected by the coronavirus crisis, such as testing positive or financial hardship due to the pandemic, you can take out up to $100,000 in retirement savings without paying the 10 percent penalty if you’re younger than 59½. (Because of the financial hit early withdrawals cause to retirement, it should only be considered as a last resort). [Click here for details on the benefits above, and for more information on whether you qualify.]( For those of you struggling with bills like rent, mortgage payments, credit cards or utilities, [we also have some tips to help keep your head above water during these difficult times](  Consumer Reports is committed to helping everyone get through this unprecedented crisis. Please continue to share these emails with family and friends, and take action so we can protect the public health and keep all Americans financially safe. Anna LaitinConsumer Reports P.S. With rents and mortgage payments due April 1, we know many of you may be struggling to make ends meet. [Please share your story here about how you are dealing with paying for housing and other necessities, so we can push Congress for consumer protections.]( [Unsubscribe from Consumer Reports action alerts.]( © 2018 Consumer Reports, 101 Truman Avenue, Yonkers, NY, 10703 [Contact Consumer Reports](