Your financial, education, employment, and career goals may change during emergencies and natural disasters. Head Start and Early Head Start family services staff and home visitors can partner with you to access key information, benefits, and tools during crises.
There are many resources on the internet that can help you build economic security. Explore this guide to find several reliable resources in one place to make it easier for you and Head Start staff to access the information and tools you can use to take action right away.
If you are a staff member, share this information with families. It may be helpful to you as well.
Economic Impact Payment (Stimulus Payment) Information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Economic Impact Payment Information Center
Find answers to frequently asked questions and links to information on eligibility, receiving payments, and more.
Get My Payment
Check your stimulus payment status, see your payment type, and provide your bank account information, if necessary. You may need information from your 2018 tax return or your 2019 tax return, if filed.
Non-Filers Enter Payment Info Here
Use this free tool to easily and quickly provide the IRS with the necessary 2019 information about yourself and any eligible spouse or qualifying children. The IRS will use this information to determine your eligibility for a stimulus payment and your payment amount and to send you the payment. Use this tool only if you are not required to and will not file a 2019 tax return.
Prepaid Debit Cards
Read this press release to learn how to receive your stimulus payment in the form of a prepaid debit card.
Bank and Credit Union Accounts
Bank On Approved Accounts
Use this map to find Bank On Approved Accounts near you. These accounts meet standards created by the Bank On National Advisory Board. These standards ensure consumers have access to a bank account without high fees or other barriers.
Bank On Emergency Account Opening
Find out how to open a bank or credit union account during challenging times. The Bank On website includes a list of accounts that can be opened online.
MyCreditUnion.gov Credit Union Locator
Use this National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) tool to find a credit union near you. NCUA insurance protects account holders' money. Even if the credit union shuts down or has its own financial problems, no one with a checking or savings account will lose their money.
BankFind
Take a look at this Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Tool to locate FDIC-insured banking institutions in your area. FDIC insurance protects account holders' money. Even if a bank shuts down or has its own financial problems, no one with a checking or savings account will lose their money.
Food Assistance
State Waivers for SNAP
Learn about the waivers your state uses to address temporary food needs in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
State Waivers for WIC
Find out what coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) waivers your state uses to address temporary food needs in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
Find Your Local Food Bank
Use this tool to find food bank and meal distribution sites in your community.
National Hunger Hotline
Visit this website to learn about the National Hunger Hotline. Call this number to find meal sites, food banks, and other local social services in your community.
- 866-3-HUNGRY (866-348-6479) or 877-8-HAMBRE (877-842-6273) (for Spanish)
Food Shopping Tools
Explore tools on budgeting for healthy meals, meal planning, and reading food labels.
Meals to You
Find meal distribution programs for school-age children in participating rural school districts.
Meals for Kids Site Finder
Use this tool to find nearby school meal distribution sites for school-age children, as well as hours of operation and contact information. The service is available in English and Spanish.
Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) Program
Learn about a program that provides some households an EBT card with the value of the free school breakfast and lunch reimbursement rates for the days that schools are closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Housing Assistance
Mortgage Relief Options
Visit this website to learn about mortgage relief options during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Protections for Renters
Learn about protections for renters during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Public Housing COVID-19 Resources
Discover federal policies on public housing and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eviction Moratorium
Review this flyer to learn about a temporary eviction freeze during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Protected Properties
Use these tools from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to locate properties that are covered under the federal temporary eviction freeze.
COVID-19 and Changing Eviction Policies Around the Nation
Learn more about temporary eviction policies in your state or local jurisdiction.
Disaster Response Network
Call this number to contact housing counselors if you live in either a HUD Multifamily Assisted property or in Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured properties and need help due to the coronavirus pandemic.
- 877-542-9723
Legal Aid Services
Use this tool to find government-funded legal aid services to help you with eviction and foreclosure issues.
Utilities Assistance
Supplemental Energy Assistance
Take a closer look at the recent federal legislation that provides $900 million in addition funds to the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
Low-Income Energy Office Locator
Use this tool to contact your state or tribe Low-Income Energy Office to determine eligibility and apply for energy assistance.
National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR)
Visit the NEAR website to find local Low-Income Energy Offices or call this toll-free number for assistance:
- 866-674-6327 or TTY 866-367-6228
Lifeline
Learn more about Lifeline, a federal program to help make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. Lifeline gives subscribers a discount on monthly telephone service, broadband internet service, or voice-broadband bundled service purchased from participating providers.
Unemployment Insurance Benefits
File for Unemployment Insurance
Learn how to file for unemployment insurance.
Unemployment Benefits Finder
Use this tool to find your state's unemployment insurance office.
Make a Budget Worksheet
Review this worksheet to learn how to create a budget for your unemployment benefits.
CareerOneStop
Find career and job search resources on this website.
American Job Centers
Locate a nearby American Job Center (AJC) for help with employment-related needs. Check with your local AJC to see what services they are currently offering.
Department of Labor Toll-Free Call Center
Call this toll-free number for help with questions about job loss, layoffs, business closures, unemployment benefits and job training.
- 877-US-2JOBS (1-877-872-5627); TTY: 877-889-5627.
Credit and Debt
Protecting Your Credit
Learn about ways to protect your credit during the coronavirus pandemic.
Credit, Loans, and Debt
Find out more about credit, loans, and debt.
Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE)
Access free COVID-19 virtual financial counseling and coaching. Families can work with an AFCPE-certified professional to address their unique situation and needs.
Credit Reports
Find out how to get your credit report, make corrections, and more.
Managing Debt
Discover tips on how to manage debt.
Tips on Coronavirus and Dealing with Debt
Learn about ways to work with creditors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Make a Budget
Use this worksheet to create a budget for repaying debt.
Debt Getting in Your Way? Get a Handle on It.
Take a look at this booklet to learn about managing debt.
Tools to Help When You Can't Pay Bills
Read this blog post to learn about tools for managing debt.
Financial Goals
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Protecting Your Finances
Learn more about student loans, mortgage and housing assistance, and other financial topics during emergencies.
Make a Budget
Use this worksheet from Consumer.gov to make a family budget that reflects current needs and challenges.
Money Smart
In this free financial education curriculum from FDIC, learn more about financial topics. Use the Computer-Based Instruction option to access financial education online.
Employment and Career Goals
CareerOneStop
Find career and job search resources.
American Job Centers
Locate an American Job Center (AJC) near you for help with employment-related needs. Check with your local AJC to see what services they are currently offering.
My Next Move
Explore career interests by searching keywords, browsing by industry, or sharing your current strengths and interests.
mySkills, myFuture
Find career matches by sharing a job you have had in the past to find careers that use similar skills.
Education and Training Goals
College Navigator
Search by state, type of school, major, and other criteria for the right college for you.
Community College Finder
This tool can be used to find community colleges near you.
U.S. Department of Education Accreditation
Use this tool to find out if a postsecondary education institution is accredited.
Choosing the School That's Financially Right for You
Visit this Consumer Financial Protection Bureau blog to link to a variety of tools that can help you make financial decisions about paying for your education.
College Scorecard
Explore the U.S. Department of Education tool to find graduate salary ranges and graduation rates at colleges and universities across the United States.
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Resource Type: Article
National Centers: Parent, Family and Community Engagement
Audience: Families
Last Updated: October 2, 2023