Advice from the United Way during this crisis

“Help with rent and utilities assistance is highest need for Labor direct assistance,” reports Sonja Gholston-Byrd, United Way Vice President, Labor Engagement.

“At this time we are referring union members requesting direct assistance directly to utilities, financial institutions and landlords as currently we’ve been advised that due the crisis there will be no disconnections or evictions. We ask the union member to contact each company and advise that they have been impacted by COVID-19.

“We are stressing that they ask for affordable repayment agreements, partial payment arrangements and/or debt forgiveness now, as these opportunities many not be available when conditions return to normal.

“We are here to provide agencies resource information. We strongly encourage each member to be ‘Money Smart’ and to cease all unnecessary spending. There are exceptions to this rule of course such as infant needs, getting a bus pass for work, etc. but prudent spending now should be the guiding rule for everyone.”