Legal/Personal Finance

Do you have questions or are experiencing legal problems due to the coronavirus pandemic? Iowa Legal Aid and the Iowa State Bar Association have created a COVID-19 legal information hotline for you to get the answered. The Hotline operates between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Iowans experiencing any type of legal problem related to the coronavirus/COVID-19 crisis, such as facing eviction, being denied unemployment benefits, experiencing employment issues, or being a victim of identity theft can call the hotline number: (800)332-0419.

Iowa Legal Aid serves as a resource with issues you should consider and legal information that can be helpful to you during this unprecedented event. Click here to get up-to-date information.

Horizons has put together financial tips and resources for coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. You can find them here.

Circumstances created from the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to difficulty in paying your utility bill. If you find yourself in that situation, there is help available through the State’s network of local community action agencies that have offices in all 99 counties. Families can apply for the Energy Assistance program at their local community action agency. This program can help pay a portion of an eligible household's utility bill. Eligibility is based on household size and income. Anyone facing difficulty in paying their utility bill is encouraged to contact their local agency. To get more information on LIHEAP assistance, visit the Iowa Department of Human Rights website.

Many Iowans have experienced a sudden income drop, yet the bills keep coming. In these uncertain times, it is important to make decisions based on trustworthy information and to take action sooner rather than later. Because ISU Extension and Outreach staff are currently working from home, Iowans are invited to reach out to our Human Sciences Extension financial educators by telephone or email. Confidential individual conversations can help walk through ideas and options to create or revise a budget, set priorities for bill payment, connect with community resources to stretch incomes and other personal financial issues—free of charge. Phyllis Zalenski, ISU human sciences specialist in family finance, can share trusted web-based resources, tools and worksheets used or developed by ISU Extension and Outreach. Contact Phyllis Zalenski at 319-480-1106 or zalenski@iastate.edu during regular business hours. You also can leave a phone message at Extension’s toll-free Iowa Concern hotline (800-447-1985) to have someone get back to you. For more information visit the Human Sciences Extension’s Managing Personal Finances in Tough Times webpage.