Carolyn
King Arnold was elected once again to the Dallas City Council in June 2019 to
represent District 4 during a municipal run off. She returned to the
horseshoe after being reelected in the special runoff election in December 2018.
She won her first election in May 2015 with 51% of the vote over seven (7)
candidates.
Dear City of
Dallas residents,
COVID-19
These are extraordinary
times. Please know the City of Dallas is deeply concerned about the impacts to
residents, businesses and their employees. We are with you.
Mayor Johnson’s disaster declaration is meant to protect life and
property and preserve critical resources while a state of disaster is in
effect.
In this letter, you will find
a list of resources available as of today regarding finances and COVID-19
topics such as unemployment, paying rent and mortgages, student loans,
utilities, food assistance, resources for business and more. This will remain a
living document. Grocery stores,
pharmacies, daycare centers, banks, and hardware stores will remain open.
Restaurants may still operate takeout and delivery services.
Please feel free
to share them with your friends, family, coworkers, community, or anyone else
who could use it. If you have additional
information you wish to share with your neighbors and community, please do not
hesitate to contact our office at District4@dallascityhall.com.
Additionally, VisitDallas
has compiled a list to feature Dallas restaurants who are still
operating and offering home delivery.
We continue to provide
information at the City’s dedicated website here. Dallas
County also has valuable information here.
Unemployment
and Workers’ Comp
- Anyone
who has lost their job due to coronavirus or has had to take time off to
self-quarantine or care for a sick relative (and does not get paid sick
time from work) may apply for UNEMPLOYMENT insurance. Info on that here.
- Anyone
whose job has brought them into direct contact with someone with
coronavirus (for instance, a first responder or a health care worker) and
has become ill or are required to quarantine can file for WORKERS’ COMP.
File for that here.
- If you
or a friend or family member are out of work, the Texas Workforce Commission
provides support services as well.
Financial
Assistance
The U.S. Department of Treasury
has a list of financial resources for consumers.
Trouble
Paying Rent or Mortgage
If you don’t have
enough money to pay, contact your lender or landlord immediately. Help
includes:
- If you are a Dallas
Housing Authority client, please immediately report any loss of income in
order to reduce your portion of rent and inspections will be restricted to
health and safety only.
- Texas
Department of Housing and Community Affairs Foreclosure Prevention
1-888-995-HOPE (4673)
- Texas
Attorney General Consumer Protection or
call 800-621-0508
- Texas Health and Human Services Commission has resources available. There may be vouchers
to assist those in need with paying their rent. Also get government
assistance with other needs, including lease application fees, information
on low income housing and security deposits. Dial 1-877-541-7905 to find
additional ways to get rent help.
- Texas offers programs that
can help you with paying your mortgage and also avoid foreclosure. Local
resources, including government and non-profit assistance, can help
qualified homeowners
- Homeowners
have other resources too. Also click here for a listing of Texas
HUD counseling agencies that provide free foreclosure counseling.
Paying
Utilities
- If you
need help paying your utility bills, contact your service provider
immediately. Atmos, TXU and Dallas Water Utilities has
suspended disconnections at this time.
- Spectrum
is offering free WiFi hot spots, unlimited data, and no disconnects or
late fees.
Food
Assistance and Donation
- Here is
also a list of open food pantries inclusive of hours.
Insurance
Issues
The Texas
Department of Insurance has resources and information available for consumers who have insurance related questions.
For
Businesses
- The
City of Dallas Office of Economic Development has created a web page with information for
small business.
- A
loan program has been established by the Small Business Administration,
specifically for those impacted by the coronavirus.
- There
is also $1 billion in additional federal SBA loans for small businesses
and nonprofits, provided under Section 7(b) of the Small Business Act (15
USC 636(b)). (Section 7(b) is on pages 762-768 of the attached document.)
The House Appropriations Committee posted this summary: https://appropriations.house.gov/…/Coronavirus%20Supp%20Sum…
- Residents
can check on a state disaster Declaration status here: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Declarations/Index.
The State of Texas has not been declared yet for disaster declaration.
When/if there is a declaration announced it will be listed on the website.
The business can then apply.
To apply:
1. Go to www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance
2. Call 1-800-659-2955 or TTY: 1-800-877-8339
3. E-mail: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. - The
federal Small Business Administration (SBA) is providing low-interest
loans of up to $2 million to help with operating expenses.
- Facebook
also has a $100 million Small Grants Program accessible here.
- The Texas Comptroller’s Office has
resources available.
Mental
Health Resources
The Texas Department of
Health and Human Services has extensive resources available for mental health support,
including those facing a mental health crisis.
Domestic
Violence Survivor Resources
Student
Loans Deferment
If you need help
with your student loans, you may be able to temporarily suspend your payments
by applying for a deferment or forbearance from the US Department of Education.
Other
Resources
Protect
Yourself Financially from the Coronavirus
Information from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Job
Interrupted —A To-Do List for Tough Times
Information from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
Financial
Peace of Mind in the Age of Coronavirus
Information from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
Avoiding
Coronavirus Scams
Information from the Federal Trade Commission
OpenTexas-Report.pdf