RIVERSIDE, Calif., May 20, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In April, the COVID-19 pandemic caused more than 20 million Americans to become unemployed. In order to help those affected, credit.org launched a new online tool (https://covid.credit.org/) that allows people to easily access relief programs specific to their situation. By following the simple Coronavirus (COVID-19) Financial Aid and Relief Quiz, credit.org determines if the user may qualify for assistance, and identifies which resources will work best.
While there is an abundance of information available to consumers about potential solutions and sources of aid, it's very difficult to know which options are current and applicable to the user's specific financial situation. The COVID-19 relief tool from credit.org aims to remedy that.
"We wanted to create an easy-to-use tool that helps people get relevant solutions and answers to their questions," said Melinda Opperman, President and Chief Relationship Officer of credit.org. "With all of the different programs responding to the virus, it's hard to keep up with what's current and available. We wanted to help people find trusted and reliable information, without having to spend hours scouring the internet for solutions."
Experts predict the jobless rate in the U.S. could reach 30 percent before the crisis subsides. Housing has been affected as well, with mortgage and rental defaults resulting in temporary foreclosure and eviction protections built into the CARES Act. Because of the financial uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the public response to it, various programs have been launched from multiple directions—federal, state and local. However, many consumers aren't fully aware of these options, and if they are, they become overwhelmed when trying to find answers.
"We've worked to create a tool that is as simple and clear as possible," Opperman said. "We've stripped away all of the false leads and irrelevant search results and focus only on what's relevant to each visitor to the site."
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Financial Aid and Relief Quiz can be found online at https://covid.credit.org/.
About credit.org
Credit.org is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit personal financial education and counseling organization founded in 1974 with the mission of improving the financial well-being of individuals and families. Credit.org is a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-approved housing counseling agency and a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, the nation's longest serving nonprofit financial counseling organization. Credit.org offers personal financial education and assistance in credit counseling, housing counseling, reverse mortgage counseling, debt and money management, Debt Management Plans, student loan counseling, pre-bankruptcy counseling and debtor education through educational programs and confidential coaching. Credit.org is accredited by the Council on Accreditation, signifying the highest standards for agency governance, fiscal integrity, counselor certification and service delivery policies. Counseling is available online or by telephone nationwide. For more information on credit.org, please call 1 (800) 449-9818 or visit their web site at http://www.credit.org.
SOURCE credit.org
Share this article