CHWC is committed to providing all of the resources and information we can to help the residents and businesses that make up our neighborhoods during this uncertain time.
Below you will find a summary of resources for anyone seeking basic needs, tenants, homeowners, consumers, employees, employers, and for volunteers looking for ways to help your neighbors.
We’ve added our own resources and research to a fantastic list Rep. Sharice Davids has compiled for those affected by COVID-19. Links to specific topics can be found below.
The Unified Government and United Way of Wyandotte County have also collaborated to create a list of resources in Kansas City, Kansas. Click here to view it in English and click here to view it in Spanish.
If you need assistance and don’t find a resource listed below, please visit the United Way’s 2-1-1 website.
For tenants and homeowners
If you are a tenant or a homeowner living in Kansas and will be unable to pay your rent or mortgage payments because of financial hardship caused by COVID-19, you are protected by State and Federal orders that ban certain evictions and foreclosures until at least May 1, 2020. The federal eviction moratorium extends until July 25, 2020.
BPU has extended a moratorium on utility shut-offs due to non-payment until May 31.
CHWC is a HUD-Certified Housing Counseling Agency
If you are having trouble with your housing situation, we can help!
Kansas Eviction Ban
In accordance with the executive order issued by Gov. Laura Kelly on March 23, landlords are not allowed to evict a tenant when their inability to pay their rent is due to a financial hardship caused by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes individuals, companies, banks, financial lending entities, nursing homes, long-term care facilities or other entities.
Specifically, a financial hardship includes:
- An individual or family suffers a significant loss of income, significant increase in necessary expenses or inability to work as a direct or indirect result of the COVID-19 pandemic and
- The individual’s or family’s financial resources are depleted to the extent that making rent payments would leave them unable to purchase food, medicine or other supplies, or services necessary to their health and safety.
Note: Both 1 and 2 must apply. This order does not apply to individuals who have not suffered a financial hardship as defined above.
This order became effective on March 23, 2020 and will remain in force until rescinded, until May 1, 2020, or until the statewide State of Disaster Emergency proclaimed on March 12, 2020, relating to COVID-19 expires, whichever is earlier.
Individuals affected by the financial repercussions of COVID-19 will still owe past due and current rent. Landlords are encouraged (not ordered) to negotiate payment plans or other agreements to allow renters to address any late or non-payments, or late fees.
This order does not stop an eviction that was already filed before March 23.
Kansas Foreclosure Ban
In accordance with the executive order issued by Gov. Laura Kelly on March 23, no bank or financial lending entity operating in Kansas will be allowed to foreclose on a residential property for non-payment of a mortgage due to a financial hardship caused by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Specifically, a financial hardship includes:
- An individual or family suffers a significant loss of income, significant increase in necessary expenses or inability to work as a direct or indirect result of the COVID-19 pandemic and
- The individual’s or family’s financial resources are depleted to the extent that making mortgage payments would leave them unable to purchase food, medicine or other supplies, or services necessary to their health and safety.
Note: Both 1 and 2 must apply. This order does not apply to individuals who have not suffered a financial hardship as defined above.
Individuals affected by the financial repercussions of COVID-19 will still owe past due and current mortgage payments. Lenders are encouraged (not ordered) to negotiate payment plans or other agreements to allow borrowers to address any late or non-payments, or late fees.
This order does not stop a foreclosure that was already filed before March 23.
Federal Foreclosure Moratorium
The Federal Government has suspended foreclosures for all FHA mortgages for 60 days, beginning March 18th, 2020.
For consumers
During a declared state of emergency, Kansas sellers are forbidden from raising prices significantly on necessary goods and services. The Wyandotte County District Attorney has issued a memo explaining the law, your rights as a consumer, and where to report price gouging or scams.
Price Gouging and Scams
For employees
The Federal Government has put several measures in place to help compensate for lost income and unemployment due to the pandemic. You may be eligible for two weeks of paid leave from your employer if you or someone you provide care for becomes infected, and an additional $600 per month in unemployment if you lose your job as a result of COVID-19. If you are looking for a job, click here. Finally, many people will be eligible for a $1200 stimulus payment, likely to be issued by the Department of Treasury in late April.
New FMLA and paid leave requirements
Unemployment benefits
U.S. Senate overview of the unemployment benefits included in the CARES Act
Information on applying for Kansas unemployment benefits
You can text text 816-842-7425 to access Goodwill's support text line. They can help you apply for unemployment. You will get immediate auto-responses, and you can also access individual personalized help between 9 am and 9 pm.
Stimulus
How to get your stimulus check - resource from UMichigan (but applies to everyone nationally)
Text 816-842-7425 to access Goodwill's text support line. They can help you file taxes and set up direct deposit so you can get economic impact payments. You will get immediate auto-responses, and you can also access individual personalized help between 9 am and 9 pm.
Update your payment or address information, track payments, and more
General information about the rebate from the IRS
Which COVID-19 benefits apply to US immigrants?
Will individuals exempt from taxpayer status receive a rebate?
Finding Work
Team KC’s list of employers hiring now for permanent and temporary positions
Text 816-842-7425 to access Goodwill's text support line. They can help you find job leads. You will get an immediate automatic response, and you can also access individual personalized help between 9 am and 9 pm.
Tax Relief
Learn how COVID-19 has affected the tax-filing deadline and get answers to other frequently asked questions
- The IRS has extended the deadline to file and pay federal income taxes to July 15, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kansas and Missouri state tax deadlines have also been extended to the same date.
- You can file your taxes online for free with familiar tax preparation agencies like H&R Block and TurboTax through the IRS’s Free File program if you income-qualify or meet certain other criteria.
- Click here to learn more about the IRS’s response to COVID-19, including office closures, when you can expect your refund if you already filed, and more.
If you are ready to file, here are some local and online tax assistance options to get you started. If you do decide to go ahead and file now, we recommend calling ahead to find out how these services are adapting to the need for social distancing. Many have drop-off and pick-up options.
Click here for a list of local tax assistance options (English).
Click here for online free filing options for income-qualified households.
For small businesses
If you are self-employed or own a business employing up to 500 employees, you may be eligible for assistance from the Small Business Administration. The SBA is offering both forgivable and low interest loans to help small businesses hurt by the pandemic. The forgivable loan is called the Payroll Protection Program, and it allows employers to borrow approximately 2.5 times their average monthly payroll to support their businesses. If the employer does not reduce their workforce for at least 8 weeks after receiving the loan, all or part of the loan will be forgiven.
The SBA also offers low-cost loans through their Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. The Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL) can provide up to $2 million of financial assistance (actual loan amounts are based on amount of economic injury) to small businesses or private, non-profit organizations that suffer substantial economic injury as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Finally, a local Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Alt Cap, is offering very low interest loans to small businesses with 20 or fewer employees.
SBA CARES Act resources
Other small business resources
Tax Relief
For volunteers
If you want to volunteer your time and talents in this time of social distancing, here are some ways you can get involved:
Virtual and local volunteer opportunities
Volunteer opportunities available through the United Way of Wyandotte County
Volunteer information for medical, healthcare and NVOAD-trained volunteers
If you need help
The Kansas City nonprofit community is working hard to offer assistance to families in need of emergency assistance funds, food assistance, medical care, childcare, internet access, and even pet care. We will keep this list of resources updated daily and add as we learn about new resources.
Emergency Assistance: rent, utilities, mortgage relief
Food Assistance
2-1-1 Kansas City metro area food pantries
Local food pantries that don't require any registration
Federal and state programs that can help with food assistance
FAQ: SNAP benefits during the pandemic
Find meals for kids while schools are closed
Unified Government of Wyandotte County form to request food assistance
Curbside meal pickup from Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools
Breakfast and lunch is available at Bishop Ward High School for students of any age. Email [email protected] for information and to sign up.
Meals are available at Resurrection School. Call Lynda Higgins, Resurrection principal, at 913-371-8101 for information.
Medical Assistance
Apr 21 update - expanded testing for Wyandotte County residents
How to get tested for COVID-19 if you live in Wyandotte County (English)
How to get tested for COVID-19 if you live in Wyandotte County (Spanish)
See a doctor from your home: Health Partners telemedicine option
2-1-1 Kansas City metro area resources for dental, vision and medical care
State and local health departments providing COVID-19 updates
Local and national mental health resources
You can text text 816-842-7425 to access Goodwill's support text line. They can help you find COVID-19 screening information. You will get immediate auto-responses on the topic you request, and you can also access individual personalized help between 9 am and 9 pm.
Childcare
Internet Access
Internet and phone assistance are available for a limited time from the Unified Government and AARP. You can read the requirements and find out how to apply here.
NDIA directory of free and low-cost Internet service providers
Computers, Internet access and training request
You can text text 816-842-7425 to access Goodwill's support text line. They can help you access tech support for internet connectivity and devices and connections. You will get immediate auto-responses on the topic you request, and you can also access individual personalized help between 9 am and 9 pm.