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Don’t fall for these five myths about the stimulus payments
Published: April 21, 2020From: MarketWatchBy: Andrew Keshner
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/do-i-have-to-pay-back-my-1200-stimulus-check-dont-fall-for-these-five-myths-about-the-stimulus-payments-2020-04-18
In the middle of an election year where healthcare is already a hotly debated issue, the COVID-19 pandemic has stirred further discussion about whether major changes are necessary. During the Democratic presidential primary, the concept of Medicare for All split the candidates. While the candidate who promoted that concept has since dropped out of the Read More
The CARES Act neglected to protect people from creditors, but some lawmakers are working to correct that.
April 16, 2020
From: The Motley Fool
By: Dan Caplinger
The coronavirus crisis is causing severe financial pain across the U.S., where tens of millions of people have lost their jobs and filed for unemployment benefits in just the past month. For those who have lost income, a federal stimulus check could be vital to their financial well-being right now.
Unfortunately, many people who were already having money troubles before the COVID-19 pandemic hit are now running into a new challenge with their stimulus payments. Debt collectors are rushing in to try to grab up those stimulus checks in order to satisfy people's past debts. Because of the way that lawmakers set up the stimulus check program, what those debt collectors are doing appears to be legal -- but it also threatens to undermine the entire point of the program, which was to rush cash to hard-hit Americans so that they could cover their current expenses during this crisis.
Despite the best of intentionsThe Treasury Department has worked hard to try to get stimulus money to people rapidly. For those who included direct deposit banking information with their 2018 or 2019 tax returns, the Treasury is using that data to send stimulus payments directly into people's bank accounts. For most people, that's the fastest way to get the money where it needs to go.
However, millions of people owe certain kinds of debt for which creditors can garnish bank accounts. That includes just about any type of debt on which collection proceedings have advanced far enough for creditors to get a court judgment. When debt collectors present banks with garnishment orders, banks follow procedures that often include freezing accounts. To regain access to their funds, banks require account holders to provide proof that the money that's come into the account is somehow exempt from garnishment. Most people in debt don't know how to respond effectively to such demands even in the best of times -- let alone when they are stuck in their homes, when bank branches are closed to the public, and when courts aren't functioning at anywhere near normal capacity.
Lawmakers could have specifically designated the stimulus payments as exempt from garnishment or debt collection proceedings. However, they didn't include such clear provisions in the CARES Act, which leaves the matter up to legal interpretation. That ambiguity set the stage for debt collectors to act -- and they're acting quickly.
Fixing the problemNow that they've identified the problem, legislators at the state level are working fast to address it. State laws govern much of the legal framework around debt collection, so in some states, those receiving stimulus checks already had some protection. Other states are moving to pass emergency legislation that exempts the stimulus payments from debt collection proceedings.
Congress could also take action, although it might be difficult for it to do so quickly enough to make a difference. Passing a federal law that reclassifies stimulus money into the same category as other exempt payments would offer everyone across the nation protection.
What you can doIf you're already aware that your bank account might be subject to a garnishment order, there are some things you can do to try to protect yourself. They include:
- Having your stimulus payment sent to a different bank account. Often, garnishment orders will apply to all bank accounts, but if you know that debt collectors have only identified one of your accounts, then having your stimulus money deposited into an account at a different institution might protect it.
- Getting a physical stimulus check. The IRS is seeking banking information for many Americans through its Get My Payment tool, with the goal of expediting those stimulus payments. However, if you anticipate problems, getting a physical check and cashing it will help keep it from getting locked up in a frozen bank account.
With the coronavirus pandemic wreaking havoc on all our lives, the last thing any of us need is for our stimulus checks to get taken away. If you think debt collectors might be looking to take your stimulus payment, don't wait for lawmakers to help you out -- do what you can to protect yourself and your finances.
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If I File Bankruptcy Will I Lose My COVID-19 Stimulus/Rebate Money?
When someone files for bankruptcy they can keep certain things that are “exempt”.
Stay with me as I explain this process.
Every state has a list of items that a creditor cannot seize. Those items are referred to as “exempt property“. This protection is the same for everyone in that state, even if they file for bankruptcy protection. There are also federal exemptions that protect certain property, such as Social Security, VA income, and more.
Congress failed to protect the COVID-19 Stimulus/Rebate money from creditors.
When Congress passed the CARES Act (March 27, 2020), they were smart enough to protect the stimulus/rebate funds from state and federal government debt collection, but they completely forgot about all the other debt collectors (banks, credit cards, personal loans, bank overdrafts, etc.). Congress intended to give those with low to middle income some additional money, to boost our economy. Unfortunately, if you have an overdraft in the same bank where your stimulus funds are deposited, there is a good chance your bank will take the money. Or, if a creditor or collection company has a judgment against you they have the right to garnish bank accounts and wages (depending on the exemption laws of your state).
Bankruptcy and exemption laws.
Earlier, I mentioned that every adult has a right to protect certain “exempt property”, which includes someone filing for bankruptcy protection. In filing for bankruptcy, that person must determine whether they are required to use state or federal exemptions or a combination of both to protect their property (please don’t try to do this on your own – hire a very good bankruptcy attorney). For instance, if someone lived in Arizona for more than two years and files for bankruptcy protection they will use Arizona exemptions. Arizona laws protect income from welfare, unemployment, child support, and alimony, but not income from child care credit or earned income credit. Federal exemptions protect Social Security, SSDI, VA income, and certain other sources.
When Congress passed the CARES Act, they largely protected the funds from state or federal debt collection. But forgot to protect the COVID-19 funds the same way that federal exemption laws protect Social Security or SSDI. Instead, they left open a huge loophole for debt collectors.
Congress failed to protect the COVID-19 Stimulus/Rebate money from seizure by the bankruptcy trustees.
Since Congress failed to protect the funds from creditors, that also means they failed to protect the funds from a bankruptcy trustee. If someone files for bankruptcy protection and is going to receive the stimulus/rebate monies, the bankruptcy trustee may take those funds (the chapter 7 trustee is paid a percentage, pays his/her attorney, then the few remaining bucks go to the creditors).
Still there? Trust me, we are almost to the answer.
In the world of consumer bankruptcy, there are two types of bankruptcy trustees: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. The Chapter 13 trustee is an employee of the United States Trustee’s Office, a agency of the Department of Justice. The United States Trustee has authority over their employees and can dictate their actions.
Compare that to chapter 7 trustees, who are independent contractors for the United States Trustee’s Office. That means the chapter 7 trustee can use their own discretion whether to go after certain assets. Some of our Arizona trustees will take a tax refund of $500, while others feel that is out of line and set their limit at $1,500. Some of our trustee attorneys earn almost One Million Dollars a year collecting funds from debtors. My point is that all the chapter 7 trustees have the right to take anything that is not exempt. Under Arizona law the stimulus/rebate monies are NOT EXEMPT.
United States Trustees Office Report:
On April 7, 2020 the United States Trustees Office issued a report: Notice to Chapter 7 and 13 Trustees Regarding Recovery Rebates Paid to Consumer Bankruptcy Debtors Under the Cares Act of 2020.
The report states (according to the CARES Act) that the stimulus/rebate funds are not be to included in calculating the debtor’s income for the prior six months (referred to as the means test).
The question that was not addressed in the CARES Act was whether the creditors have a right to the “recovery rebate”.
For the answer we must address chapter 7 and chapter 13 separately.
Chapter 13 (remember the chapter 13 trustees are employees of the US Trustees Office): for cases filed on or after March 27, 2020, the recovery rebate may be relevant (see § 1325(a)(4)). For cases filed before March 27, 2020, the recovery rebate is excluded from that analysis because it would not have been available in analyzing the reconciliation for payment to creditors in a chapter 7 case. Again, remember that the funds are NOT included in the means test analysis.
Chapter 7 (trustees are independent contractors): In chapter 7 cases, the “property of the estate” issue will only arise in cases filed after March 27, 2020. Regardless of whether the rebate is property of the estate, the United States Trustee expects that it is highly unlikely that the trustee would administer the payment after consideration of all relevant circumstances, including: the modest amount of the recovery rebate; the applicability of state and federal exemptions; any interest of a non-debtor spouse in the recovery rebate; the cost to the estate of recovering and administering the recovery rebate, including litigation with debtors who may seek a judicial determination; and the extent to which recovering the recovery rebate will enable creditors to receive a meaningful distribution.
In both Chapter 13 and Chapter 7 cases: Trustees are directed to notify the United States Trustee prior to taking any action to recover recovery rebates or objecting to a chapter 13 plan based on the treatment of recovery rebates.
Now that you have a brief education in the “legalese” world of bankruptcy and exemptions – what does this all mean?
It means that the United States Trustee is not a fan of any bankruptcy trustee taking someone’s CARES Act stimulus/rebate funds. Is this an absolute prohibition? No, but only time will tell how our more aggressive trustees (Arizona has some of the most aggressive trustees in the Nation) will address this issue.
MUSINGS FROM DIANE:
Every day someone calls “I just have a simple question…..”. The caller goes on to ask their question, but normally I have to explain that there is a lot more information I need before that question can be answered correctly. It is like looking at the tiny tip of an iceberg and assuming that is all there is (how did that go for the folks on the Titanic?)
That same person would never think of calling their doctor and asking a question about a medical situation. Instead, they know the doctor will need blood tests and an x-ray before competently diagnosing the problem.
Whenever there is a new law, like the CARES Act, it takes years to analyze each issue in order to anticipate how someone’s situation will be affected by the the new law and existing laws. Just like doctors guessing at the solution for a new virus – lots of guessing.
How Can I Help You?
The post If I File Bankruptcy Will I Lose My COVID-19 Stimulus Money? appeared first on Diane L. Drain - Phoenix Arizona Bankruptcy & Foreclosure Attorney.
Can my Bank, Creditor or Collection Company Take My Stimulus Money – COVID-19?
March 27, 2020 a new law (CARES Act) was passed which gave funds to everyone in order to pay basic necessities (such as food, rent, gas). Congress forgot to protect those funds from your creditors or your bank.
When Congress passed the CARES Act, they were smart enough to protect the stimulus funds from state and federal government debt collection, but they completely forgot about all the other debt collectors (credit cards, personal loans, bank overdrafts, etc.). These creditors are the ones that Congress should have been focusing on because they are the great majority of all debt collectors.
Do you owe your bank for overdraft fees or unpaid credit cards?
If so, don’t be surprised that your bank keeps the monies you were supposed to receive as part of the COVID-19 funds. The monies are coming from the IRS, using the same bank account information that you used for your tax refunds (both this year and last). If that account is closed the monies will go back to the IRS. Or if that account is overdrawn, or you are not paying a credit card with that bank, then you may find that your bank keeps the money to “offset” what you owe them.
Is every bank taking the stimulus funds?
Some banks say they will not take the funds (there are differing reports on who will not keep the funds), but only time will tell if they will follow through with their promise to let their customers use those funds as they were intended – to pay rent, food and other absolute necessities.
Several articles:
Some banks are taking coronavirus stimulus checks for overdrawn accounts, New York Post
Your Stimulus Check Could Be Seized By Your Own Bank, Forbes
Some Banks Keep Customers’ Stimulus Checks if Accounts are Overdrawn, the New York Times
Debt collectors can take the stimulus funds
For a debt collector to garnish your bank account they first need to sue you and then get a judgment (this may be different in your state). Once they have the judgment they can serve a writ of execution on any bank that has your funds (or your employer). The bank will freeze your account and carve out any amount that is exempt under your state law exemptions. Exemptions are different in each state so it is important to talk to an experienced bankruptcy attorney licensed in the state where you live.
Twenty state attorneys general and Hawaii’s Office of Consumer Protection asked Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to ensure that debt collectors and creditors cannot take those funds. A. Treasury spokesperson said the department “is looking into the issue”. Meanwhile, people who desperately need the money, are left high and dry (after all, they don’t need food for their family just because they are out of work for the last four weeks).
Debt collectors can garnish coronavirus stimulus checks because of a loophole, USA Today
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PROTECT YOUR STIMULUS FUNDS?
CHANGE YOUR BANK ACCOUNT INFORMATION WITH THE IRS
Here’s how to change your bank account information with the IRS: The portal on IRS website where you can update your bank account info is up as of 4/15/20, named “Get my payment“.
I did not file tax returns – how do I get my stimulus money?
Those who don’t have to file tax returns can now submit a simple application to get your COVID-19 funds. Check out the IRS website.
But, you don’t need to do this if you receive Social Security, SSDI, survivor benefits or supplemental Social Security, Railroad retirement and survivor benefits – your funds will go to the same bank account where those monies are automatically deposited.
WARNING: bank, creditors or collection companies cannot garnish your Social Security, SSDI, survivor benefits or supplemental Social Security, Railroad retirement and survivor benefits, but, at this time, they can garnish your stimulus funds.
Tax Scams
Be very careful of anyone who contacts you asking for information such as your bank account, social security number, or other information that is none of their business. The IRS has important information about some of these Scams Targeting Taxpayers. Be very careful because this is your financial future and you need to protect it.
MUSINGS FROM DIANE:
Congress passed the CARES Act in record speed, the problem is that they did not think about the needs of the people who really need the stimulus funds. These are the people who are out of work and cannot afford to pay rent or buy food. These are the people who cannot pay their bills (perhaps long before we knew about COVID-19). The stimulus funds were going to be a God-send for these people. They could pay rent and buy food, but now they are finding that no one was smart enough to protect the funds from greedy banks, creditors or collection companies.
Can this be fixed? Yes, by the click of a pen. The Treasury Department could designate the funds as exempt from garnishment by redefining the checks as “benefit payments”. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is aware of the problem, but has failed to act thus far.
The post Can My Creditors or Bank Take My Stimulus Money? appeared first on Diane L. Drain - Phoenix Arizona Bankruptcy & Foreclosure Attorney.
April 17, 2020
From: twocents.lifehacker.com
By: Kristin Wong and Lisa Rowan
Bankruptcy is a last resort for people and businesses alike. Many companies file for bankruptcy and continue business as usual; the lesser-known reality is that individuals can file for bankruptcy and emerge in one piece, too.
Bankruptcy is poorly understood, so let’s talk about how it affects your finances.The differences between chapter 7, 13, and 11In general, people file for bankruptcy when there’s no way in hell they can meet their debt obligations. Popular assumption is that those people are bad with money and take out too much credit card debt. Sure, that happens, but often, people file bankruptcy after a major financial blow. It might be a lawsuit debacle or an unexpected illness.
A lot of people think bankruptcy wipes out any and all debt obligations, but that’s not the case. You still have to pay up, and how you’ll pay up depends on what kind of bankruptcy you file: chapter 7, chapter 13, or chapter 11. There are other types of specific bankruptcies, too (chapter 12 is for farmers and fishermen, for example), but these three are the most common.
With chapter 7, you may have to liquidate certain assets (like a car or a second home) to pay off at least some of the debt. Most of your assets are probably exempt, but it depends on your state, your financial situation, and whether or not that asset is deemed “essential.” You have to meet certain eligibility requirements to file, and income is perhaps the most important one. As legal site Nolo explains, there’s a whole set of criteria to determine your income eligibility, but generally, you have to have little to no disposable income.
With chapter 13, you get a plan to pay off your debts within the next three to five years, but you get to keep your assets. After it’s all said and done, some of those debts will likely be discharged. You have to qualify, though, and that means your secured debts can’t be more than $1,184,200 and your unsecured debts cannot be more than $394,725. Secured debt is debt that’s backed by collateral, like your house or car.
Chapter 11 bankruptcy works kind of like chapter 13, but it's typically reserved for businesses. Businesses can file for chapter 7 bankruptcy, too, but again, that means a liquidation of assets, so chapter 11 is usually a more attractive option. Companies get to keep their stuff and keep their creditors at bay while they continue their operations, but they have to come up with a plan to pay off at least some of their debt, or get it forgiven.What happens when you fileWhen you file for bankruptcy, you get an automatic stay. Basically, this puts a block on your debt to keep creditors from collecting. While the stay is in place, they can’t garnish your wages, deduct money from your bank account, or go after any secured assets.
Ironically, bankruptcy isn’t free. The filing fee alone is between $300 and $350 for chapters 7 and 13. And then there are the attorney fees. You can file without a lawyer, but it’s not recommended since bankruptcy laws can be tough to navigate. Attorney fees for chapter 7 average around $1,500, while chapter 13 fees tend to be in the $2,000-$3,000 range. With many attorneys, the more complex your situation, the more you’ll pay.
There are ways reduce the legal costs of filing for bankruptcy. Nonprofit Upsolve, for one, helps you generate your bankruptcy filing forms for free if your case is a simple one. Or, your local legal aid society may be able to connect you with low-cost legal services.
You’ll also have to take a class or two. The government requires individuals to get credit counseling 180 days before you file, and you also have to take a debtor education course if you want your debts discharged.
A couple of weeks after filing, you’ll have to attend a “creditors meeting,” which is basically what it sounds like: a court meeting between you, your bankruptcy trustee, and any creditors who want to attend. They’ll all ask you questions about your financial situation and decision to file bankruptcy.Your assets get liquidated with chapter 7 Nolo says that in most cases, chapter 7 debtors don’t have to liquidate their property (unless it’s collateral) because it’s usually exempt or it’s just not worth it. They explain:
If the property isn’t worth very much or would be cumbersome for the trustee to sell, the trustee may “abandon” the property — which means that you get to keep it, even though it is nonexempt...Most property owned by Chapter 7 debtors is either exempt or is essentially worthless for purposes of raising money for the creditors. As a result, few debtors end up having to surrender any property, unless it is collateral for a secured debt…
After the creditors meeting, your trustee will figure out whether or not to liquidate your stuff. If it does get liquidated, that means you’ll have to either surrender it or fork over its equivalent cash value to pay back your debt.You get a payment plan with chapter 13 With chapter 13, you get a plan to pay off your debts, and some of them have to be paid in full. These debts are “priority debts,” and they include alimony, child support, tax obligations, and wages you owe to employees.
Your plan is based on how much you owe and what your income looks like, and it will include how much you have to pay and when you have to pay it.What happens to your creditYour credit score will plummet with a bankruptcy. The higher your score, the more it’ll fall. FICO notes that the more accounts are involved in your bankruptcy filing, the greater an impact you’ll see to your score.
In general, chapter 7 bankruptcy remain on your credit report for 10 years, and chapter 13 stays on for seven.
After bankruptcy is all said and done, most debts are discharged, but not all of them.
In some cases, student loans can be discharged after a bankruptcy, but you have to pass a federal test for hardship.
Other difficult-to-discharge debts include:
- Tax debts
- Alimony and child support
- Divorce-related debts, including property settlement debts
Bankruptcy is usually a desperate remedy to a helpless situation. But knowing how it works and what to expect can help you navigate some of the misconceptions and figure out what the process actually entails.
This post was originally published in 2016 and was updated on 4/17/2020 by Lisa Rowan. Updates include: Checked links for accuracy; updated formatting to reflect current style; revised article to focus on bankruptcy methods for individuals; updated monetary requirements and averages.
When financial problems become severe, declaring bankruptcy is the common solution. People in debt may overcome their financial distress by taking advantage of bankruptcy protection. Not only do bankruptcies offer debt relief, but they also lead to a fresh start.
If you want to declare bankruptcy, there are some necessary steps you need to take before you get to a bankruptcy discharge. The bankruptcy process presents variations depending on the details of a case.
There are several factors that impact your experience with personal bankruptcy. One of them involves the list of exceptions that you can claim when you file for bankruptcy. Since bankruptcy laws vary from state to state, debtors may have the option to pick between state bankruptcy exemptions and federal bankruptcy exemptions, depending on state law. Take note that the federal government modifies the exemptions amount every three years.
As you can infer, there are states that limit bankruptcy filers to the state exemptions, but Oregon is not one of them. Oregon allows debtors to choose between its own exemptions and the federal bankruptcy exemptions when they file bankruptcy under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. These are the chapters under which bankrupt individuals commonly file their bankruptcy petition. 7 is the liquidation bankruptcy chapter 7 and 13 is the reorganization bankruptcy chapter.
You need to take into account that there are different types of bankruptcy. For instance, if a joint petition for bankruptcy is filed by a married couple, these exemptions can be doubled according to federal law. This is usually not the case for state exemptions.
What Are the Federal Exemptions?
- Homestead
The federal homestead exemption is used to shield your primary place of residence. It may cover any property used as a principal residence, be it a house, a condominium unit, or even a mobile home. Just like state homestead exemptions, this protection doesn’t extend to investment property. Second homes are nonexempt.
- Personal Property
When it comes to federal exemptions, personal property includes exemptions for a motor vehicle, trade tools, and jewelry. Exempt property may also cover items such as furniture, appliances, clothing, and household effects. Federal personal property exemptions have both a limit per item included and an overall limit. Make sure you are careful with your calculations. Incidentally, federal exemptions also protect life insurance policies and health aids among other things.
- Wildcard
Wildcard exemptions in bankruptcy cases pertain to a dollar amount that can be applied by the debtor toward any asset. It can be used in conjunction with another exemption to fully cover the value of a certain asset. If the federal homestead exemption can cover more than what you need to protect your home, bankruptcy law allows you to deduct up to a particular amount of the remainder to boost your wildcard exemption.
- Other Types
Reasonably necessary child or spousal support payment may be exempted, as well as many forms of government benefits, including Social Security, unemployment benefits, and all forms of public assistance. There is also an exemption for life insurance payments. Meanwhile, retirement accounts that are exempt from taxation are also covered, although there’s a cap applied to both traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs.
In case you’re receiving payment for damages from a personal injury lawsuit, much of it can probably be exempted in a bankruptcy case. Compensation that you get based on the loss of your future earning capacity can be exempted in bankruptcy proceedings, e.g. being a victim of a crime or the wrongful death of a loved one. You can pretty much keep a capped amount of personal injury damages, save for those addressing pain and suffering or financial losses.
Learn about Your Bankruptcy Options! Contact an Oregon Bankruptcy Attorney Today!
If you’re interested in filing for bankruptcy to get out of debt, it’s best to have a bankruptcy lawyer review your case so that you can be guided on how to best move forward with your bankruptcy filing. Bankruptcy lawyers can advise their clients on everything from filling out bankruptcy forms before filing to starting afresh after bankruptcy.
For assistance on filing bankruptcy, call us at Northwest Debt Relief Law Firm to speak with one of our experienced Oregon bankruptcy attorneys.
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The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), signed by President Trump on March 27, 2020
We hope that all are safe and doing well in these uncertain times. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), signed by President Trump on March 27, 2020, contains several changes to the Bankruptcy Code, which are detailed below.
1) a) With respect to personal bankruptcy, the CARES Act amends the definition of “income” in the Bankruptcy Code for Chapters 7 and 13 cases so that coronavirus-related payments from the federal government will be excluded from being treated as income. b) Coronavirus-related payments made by the federal government under the CARES Act will be excluded from the disposable income calculation for purposes of confirming a Chapter 13 Plan. c) Finally, chapter 13 debtors will now be able to extend their plan payments for up to seven years instead of five years (under the prior law).
2) A. The Small Business Debtor bankruptcy provisions were modified such that small business debtors with debt up to $7.5 million will now be eligible to file for bankruptcy, rather than the old limit of $2,725,625 in debt.
B. Under the chapter 11 reorganization plan, small business debtors can now retain their equity or member interests in an LLC even if creditors are not being paid in full. The law requires a small business debtor to pay their “projected disposable income” over the next 3 to 5 years to creditors who were owed money at the time of the bankruptcy filing. Under the new law, a creditors’ committee is not formed, but the small business debtor will only have 90 days to file a reorganization plan, with very limited right to extend. Additionally, a “standing trustee” will be responsible for oversight of the small business debtor instead of a creditor committee. The standing trustee will be selected by the U.S. Department of Justice from a list of preapproved turnaround professionals.
People with questions about the CARES act should contact
Jim Shenwick 212-541-6224 [email protected]
Resources for COVID-19 Information
COVID -19 Has Changed How We Live Our Lives What We Can Do to Survive and Flourish
Why are we easily misled about the truth?
Why Smart People Believe Coronavirus Myths, (the following is a clip form BBC.com/future)
We’ve debunked several claims here on BBC Future, including misinformation around how sunshine, warm weather and drinking water can affect the coronavirus. The BBC’s Reality Check team is also checking popular coronavirus claims, and the World Health Organization is keeping a myth-busting page regularly updated too.
You might also like:
- What is Covid-19’s real death rate?
- How fear of the coronavirus warps our minds
- What Covid-19 means for the environment
At worst, the ideas themselves are harmful – a recent report from one province in Iran found that more people had died from drinking industrial-strength alcohol, based on a false claim that it could protect you from Covid-19, than from the virus itself. But even seemingly innocuous ideas could lure you and others into a false sense of security, discouraging you from adhering to government guidelines, and eroding trust in health officials and organizations.
There’s evidence these ideas are sticking. One poll by YouGov and the Economist in March 2020 found 13% of Americans believed the Covid-19 crisis was a hoax, for example, while a whopping 49% believed the epidemic might be man-made. And while you might hope that greater brainpower or education would help us to tell fact from fiction, it is easy to find examples of many educated people falling for this false information.
Economic Stimulus Payments:
IRS COVID-19 RESOURCE
The Treasury and IRS launch new tool to help non-filers register for Economic Impact Payments
IRS.gov feature helps people who normally don’t file get payments:
The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service have a new web tool allowing quick registration for Economic Impact Payments for those who don’t normally file a tax return. NOTE FROM DIANE – IN ORDER TO AVOID SCAMS NEVER USE ANY OTHER PORTAL.
second tool next week provides taxpayers with payment delivery date and provide direct deposit information
Small Business Loans:
US Chamber of Commerce: COVID-19 Emergency Loans: Small Business Guide
COVID-19 Information and Resources for Legal Professionals:
Check back regularly as this section is being updated (by Findlaw).
Law Firm Management During Covid-19
- Keeping Your Law Firm Operational During an Outbreak
- Reassuring Clients During a Crisis
- Employer Liability for Covid-19 Exposure (With Links to Relevant Federal Guides)
- More…
- Unexpected Financial Emergency in Law School? Here Are Your Options
- Is It Easier to Get Rid of Student Loan Debt in Bankruptcy Than We Thought?
- More…
Resources and Tips for Remote Working
- Tips for Staying Productive When Working From Home
- How to Effectively Manage Remote Staff
- How to Keep Your Wireless Network Secure When Working From Home
- More…
MUSINGS FROM DIANE:
Quality information is king. Never take medical advice from someone who wants something from you. Nor should you rely on reports from politicians – most only have one goal – that is to be reelected. Instead, rely on the scientists.
This is a difficult time for everyone, but the good news is that our actions show we care about others. We are following common sense social distancing. We are staying in touch with our friends and family, but in ways not to expose those who are vulnerable.
This too we shall survive, just like those who came before us survived wars, other pandemics and economic depressions. Humans are resilient and adapt to challenges.
Be kind to each other.
The post Resources for COVID-19 Information appeared first on Diane L. Drain - Phoenix Arizona Bankruptcy & Foreclosure Attorney.
The Alexandria Bankruptcy Court Trustee Hearings are now by Telephone. Bankruptcy Trustee hearings are now telephonic. That’s the policy of the Alexandria VA bankruptcy court, effective April 9, 2020. (Richmond and Norfolk, too.) People who file bankruptcy are required by law to “appear” in front of the bankruptcy trustee to answer question. (For most people, […]
The post Bankruptcy Hearings: Now Telephonic by Robert Weed appeared first on Northern VA Bankruptcy Lawyer Robert Weed - .
Updated daily, this blog will keep you informed on the latest bankruptcy news! 
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