Protect your Economic Impact Payment
if your account is overdrawn

If you are one of the millions of people who have received stimulus payments or will soon receive another round of payments (also known as Economic Impact Payments or EIPs), there may be steps you can take to ensure you have the full benefit of those funds by protecting them from bank and credit union setoff if your account is overdrawn.

Read the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's latest consumer advisory to learn more.

It is important to know that if you have a negative account balance, in most states, banks and credit unions are legally allowed to take money that goes into your account to pay themselves back for what you owe. If you think your bank or credit union will take or has taken a portion of your EIP to cover money you owe them – give them a call. Each financial institution has its own policies, but many are willing to work with customers who have been financially impacted by COVID-19.

Use the following conversation points to help you ask your bank, credit union, or prepaid card provider for help:
Explain your financial situation is a result of COVID-19 and ask for a credit or other help for any fees or amount for which you are overdrawn.

• If you were charged fees, you can say: “I’m really struggling right now because of the pandemic. Can you waive the fees so I can access my EIP? Other banks are waving these fees. Are you sure you can’t do the same?”

• If you lost money because your account was overdrawn, you can say: “I noticed that you withheld some of my EIP payment to cover an overdraft. Can I get a refund or credit for that amount?”

• If the bank or credit union offers you a credit, ask: “Is this credit temporary? How will I know when you will take it back? If I don’t have enough money in my account when you take it back, will I be charged an overdraft fee?”

Remember, when speaking with your bank or credit union, always be prepared. Have all your statements available and ask for them to explain any and all fees that were applied to your account.

Learn about ways that banks and credit unions are ensuring customers have access to the full value of their EIP funds.

VIRTUAL GRANTS WORKSHOP

Iowa West Foundation and PCCF hosted a free Virtual Grants Workshop on the Southwest Iowa COVID-19 Response Fund.

For our nonprofit partners who are unable to meet payroll as a result of fundraising loss, event cancellation, or other COVID-19 related impacts, this workshop will guide you in the process of applying to the Southwest Iowa COVID-19 Response Fund for operating costs.

Recorded June 24, 2020

For nonprofit organizations looking for a Paycheck Protection Program loan, Fundera's PPP application will help you access banks that are accepting applications from new customers. You could also contact local community banks to see if you can move your business deposit account to their bank in order for them to accept your PPP application. Visit www.fundera.com to learn more about your relief financing options.

rESOURCES

• Food Bank for the Heartland helps individuals find food locations in the region. The Food Bank of Iowa also has a searchable site/map to learn which food bank serves your area.

• EVICTION & FORECLOSURE - The Iowa Finanance Authority is administering an eviction and foreclosure prevention program that includes mortgage and rental assistance funds for up to four months for individuals and families affected by COVID-19.

• 211 is a service that connects millions of people to help every year.

• CB Helps

• COVID Recovery Iowa offers free virtual counseling and assistance for all Iowans affected by COVID‑19.

• Human Service Advisory Council Resources

• Iowa Legal Aid is here to help Iowans with free legal advice regarding their legal problems related to the COVID-19/coronavirus crisis.

• TEST Iowa

  • 1. Assess. Answer some questions online about yourself and your health at this website. The questions are available in English and Spanish.

    2. Test. If testing is needed, you will be scheduled for a free drive-through test. You will receive the date, time, location, and instructions.

    3. Track. If you test positive for the virus, you will be asked to answer more questions to help prevent spreading the virus. You may be asked where you have traveled recently and who you have been in contact with.

• MULTI-LINGUAL RESOURCES

• • • The COVID-19 Health Literacy Project has COVID-19 fact sheets available that have been translated into 30+ languages.

    • Equality Labs has created a list of COVID-19 materials in multiple languages.

    • Heartland AEA has compiled a list of resources “10 Considerations For English Learners During School Closures” for ELL students and teachers to offer additional tools and supports while transitioning to online distance learning.

• Pottawattamie County Public Health

• State of Iowa

How to Help

• Donate to the Southwest Iowa COVID-19 Response Fund

• Volunteer remotely and #shareat home with SHARE Omaha

• Southwest Iowa Covid-19 Mutual Aid Facebook Page