Individual Grants/Relief Programs

This year has been just full of craziness! For many of our clients, current craziness includes the recent derecho (a new vocab word for me!). The storm has caused significant damage and business interruption, so we have a bit of a laundry list of things that are available for help. Let me run thru them:

For All In Disaster Areas

• Tax deadlines are delayed for BakerStarrett clients to 12/15/20. Because FEMA expanded the counties eligible for individual assistance to include Linn, Benton, Boone, Cedar, Jasper, Marshall, Polk, Poweshiek, Scott, Story and Tama Counties, the IRS disaster assistance in the form of a delayed deadline should apply to all of our clients that have not yet filed a 2019 tax return. Penalties and interest will not apply during this time period. As always, do not pay any IRS notice without speaking to us first. 

For Individuals Residing in Disaster Areas

• If you have damage from the storm and your insurance isn’t picking up the full cost of the damage, keep those receipts & records of losses (as well as records of what insurance is covering!). We’ll be asking for them to claim a deduction on your 2020 tax return! If you have very large losses that will not be covered by insurance, please speak to us. There’s other tax deductible options available for those with significant losses.

• There are many relief funds available. Here’s a few that we’re aware of:
  • Grant relief and food replacement relief here (as well as non-financial resources – mental health, etc.): https://dhs.iowa.gov/disaster-assistance-programs?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery. Deadline 9/25/20.
    • Food replacement for those that receive gov’t food assistance currently. 
    • Grants of up to $5k for eligible individuals with income 200% of poverty level or less
  • Additionally Iowa Disaster Case Management is available to all individuals (no income limits) who have needs due to the disaster. Find your local contact here: http://iowacommunityaction.org/ Remains open for 180 days following disaster.
  • At the time of this writing, FEMA individual assistance is only available to residents of Linn County. If this assistance is declared for other counties it will open up further assistance, relieve certain income limits, etc. Linn County Residents Go Here: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery 

On a more general note….pandemic still exists and so does relief options. 

• Rent and homeowner assistance in Iowa: https://www.iowafinance.com/covid-19-iowa-eviction-and-foreclosure-prevention-program/