Your income may have stopped coming in once all of the coronavirus shutdowns kicked in, but your bills probably didn’t. As they began to pile up, you probably wondered how you’d pay them all without losing any of your essential services like electricity, water, Internet, etc.
Even though the pandemic has been a struggle for most of us, there are things you can do to make your bills more manageable. Have a look:
Call Your Companies
What’s the worst move you can make with bills that pile up during the pandemic? Letting them pile up even more. In short, you can’t ignore your bills and expect them to disappear. You have to get in touch with the companies to let them know your issues so they can come up with solutions.
Many companies have come up with strategies to help households struggling with the pandemic. Give yours a call, whether it’s the power company, water company, or Internet or phone provider, and let them know your financial problems. They should give you a list of options that may include payment plans, discounts, or postponing your bills. Any of those can help until you find more ways to bring in income.
What happens if the company says they don’t have any payment plans or discounts you can take advantage of? Ask them if they know of any local nonprofits that can help. If so, you could find the bill-paying assistance you need just by asking an additional question.
Call 211
It’s easy to get overwhelmed right now. Not only do you have to worry about your health with the coronavirus floating around, but you also have to find ways to pay bills with little in your bank account.
If figuring out your finances or dealing with all of your bills is too much to handle, getting an expert on the phone may be your best move. 211 has a team of local operators that can give you the exact contacts you need to get assistance paying bills, finding low-cost housing, and much more.
See if You Qualify for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
LIHEAP helps low-income families cut their heating and cooling costs. In doing so, you can get major help with your utility bill, so it doesn’t break your budget.
You can see if you’re eligible for LIHEAP by going here. If so, you can also get help with boosting your home’s energy efficiency, which will lower your future bills.
Get Cheaper Internet
You may be happy with your current Internet service. But the bill may be so high that you cannot afford it.
Since you may need the Internet to work from home during the pandemic or your kids could need it for school, stay connected by opting for something cheaper.
You can get fast Internet service for just $10 per month. Here are some programs that offer online connectivity that won’t break the bank: Access from AT&T, Comcast Internet Essentials, Mediacom Connect 2 Compete, Verizon Lifeline, and EveryoneOn.
Stop Paying So Much for Your Phone
Your cell phone or landline may be lifesavers during the pandemic, as they help you stay connected with friends and family from a distance. You may find your phone bills to be too expensive for your budget, however, which is why you should look into the FCC’s Lifeline program. It offers low-cost phone service and may even give you a free phone.
Section 8 Assist
