Federal Assistance

Note See the Financial Assistance page of our Weather Emergencies guide for information related to ongoing natural disasters in Texas.

New Federal Aid for COVID-19 Relief

Families First Coronavirus Response Act

H.R.6201 - Families First Coronavirus Response Act
This page provides the text of the "Families First Act," which became a law on 03/18/2020 (Public Law No: 116-127).
Here's What is in the 'Families First' Coronavirus Aid Package Trump Approved (3/10/19)
This news article from NPR describes a new law that provides free testing for COVID-19, paid sick leave for employees in certain situations, unemployment aid, and expanded nutrition assistance.
Emergency Federal Funding Measures Approved to Aid COVID-19 Pandemic (03/17/2020)
This article from the National Law Review provides an overview of the federal funding aid approved in the March 6th emergency funding measure and the "Families First" Act.

CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act)

H.R.748 - CARES Act
This page provides the text of the CARES Act, which became a law on 03/27/2020 (Public Law No: 116-136).
What's Inside The Senate's $2 Trillion Coronavirus Aid Package (3/26/2020)
This news article provides details on what is contained in the federal CARES Act.

Get Federal Assistance

Types of Assistance

What Government Agencies Are Doing in Response to the Coronavirus
This section of the U.S. government's website on government response to the COVID-19 pandemic details the efforts federal, state, and local government agencies are making to assist those affected.
USAID: Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The U.S. Agency for International Development provides an overview of newly announced and ongoing federal assistance programs created to provide relief to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (U.S. Department of State)
This website from the Department of State provides an overview of the relief assistance facilitated by the U.S. government around the world in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Apply for Federal Assistance

SBA Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Benefits.gov - Disaster Relief
A list of federal assistance programs related to disaster relief.
DisasterAssistance.gov
Apply for disaster assistance from federal agencies including FEMA.

Federal Stimulus Checks

As part of the CARES Act, Economic Impact Payments, also known as stimulus payments or stimulus checks, will be paid to most adult Americans. The payouts are based on income and family size. Typical checks will be for $1,200.

Economic Impact Payments (IRS)
On this page, if you filed a tax return in 2018 or 2019 you can: check your payment status, confirm your payment type (direct deposit or check), and enter your bank account information for direct deposit. If you did not file a tax return in 2018 or 2019 because you were not required to, you can enter your payment information to make sure you get your check.
COVID-19 Stimulus Check FAQs (TexasLawHelp.org)
This FAQ page addresses common questions about who qualifies for a stimulus check, how to make sure you get one if you qualify, and how much money you'll receive.
Free File: Do Your Federal Taxes for Free (IRS)
Prepare and file your federal income tax return for free using this tax preparation and filing software.
Protecting Against Creditor Seizure of Stimulus Checks (4/17/2020)
This article from NCLC provides strategies on how to avoid having your stimulus check seized by your creditor.

More help?

FreeLegalAnswers.org
This website allows you to ask a lawyer a legal question in writing for free. You can even upload documents for an attorney to review.
Get Help from an Attorney
Our Where to Go For Help page has information on free legal hotlines, legal clinics, and legal aid organizations, as well as information on how to find a lawyer who could represent you.
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Questions? Ask us! Librarians at the State Law Library can provide information about the law, but cannot give legal advice.

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