Ease The Burden

Handy list of COVID-19 financial assistance for Fort Worth residents and businesses

Desperately seeking financial assistance.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

The coronavirus is causing massive layoffs and widespread furloughs around North Texas. Fortunately, a number of local, state-wide, and national agencies are offering some financial relief; Fort Worth residents and businesses can find some resources on the city's web site.

Here are some options to get through these tough times.

Work
Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County is the quasi-governmental nonprofit with hundreds of job listings in fields such as grocery, healthcare, and food service.

Say Yes to Dallas is a new, DFW-wide job-search site launched by the Dallas Regional Chamber with openings in fields such as hospitals, pharmacies, grocery stores, and warehouses.

Uber Works is a new app-based initiative connecting shift workers looking for temporary jobs in labor, customer service, production, and commercial cleaning.

Car
State car fees have been put on hold. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles is allowing extensions on registration, renewals, and vehicle titling. There's no end date on this temporary waiver; the DMV says it'll be in effect for at least 60 days.

Auto insurance companies are pausing payments, extending payment deadlines, issuing credits toward future payments, and more. For example, Geico is offering flexible payment plans, and Allstate is allowing deferred payment plans that let you go two billing cycles of nonpayment with no penalty.

Rent/mortgage
Most evictions across the state have been halted until at least April 20, thanks to an order by the Texas Supreme Court. Tarrant County also has temporarily suspended eviction court hearings indefinitely.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency has suspended evictions and foreclosures on any mortgages through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Some private lenders are also offering grace periods, including Chase Bank which has a payment assistance program here or call 1-800-848-9136; and Wells Fargo, which is offering a three-month payment suspension with an option to extend for an additional three months, with no late fees.

The Salvation Army of North Texas is offering financial help on rent, mortgage, utility bills, and medications.

Small businesses
The newly enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has a variety of programs for small businesses including the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, which has grants of up to $10,000. It began on April 3, although lenders were anticipating delays since they were awaiting guidelines.

The Small Business Paycheck Protection Program gives small businesses enough funds to pay up to eight weeks of payroll costs, including benefits. Find out more about it here and download an application here.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on April 13 announced announced that Goldman Sachs and the LiftFund, along with other community development financial institutions (CDFIs), are partnering to provide $50 million in loans to affected small businesses in Texas. Find out more and apply here.

The Small Business Administration has a page dedicated to coronavirus relief options that include low-interest loans and disaster relief.

The City of Fort Worth has a page dedicated to business resources, including childcare, HR issues, utility expenses, and more.

Taxes
The IRS has extended tax day, which means you don't have to file until July 15, free of interest and penalties.

Unemployment
Some workers qualify for state unemployment benefits through the Texas Workforce Commission. The site has been slow due to a surge in applications, but the organization is waiving the normal waiting period; once you apply, you get your first check in about a month.

Stimulus
Taxpayers who filed tax returns for either 2019 or 2018 are due to receive a check of up to $1,200 for individuals or $2,400 for married couples, and up to $500 for each qualifying child. The payments decrease if you make more than $75,000, or more than $150,000 as a household, so check the site to see how much you qualify for.

Student loans
Federal student loan payments have been placed on hold until September 30. U.S. Department of Education Select loans will carry zero percent interest rate.

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FWPD News

Fort Worth's longtime police chief Neil Noakes will retire in 2025

FWPD

FWPD chief Neil Noakes

After more than 25 years of dedicated service to the City of Fort Worth and the Fort Worth Police Department, Police Chief Neil Noakes will retire from law enforcement, effective May 2025.

Chief Noakes has been with the FW Police Department since 2000 and was appointed Chief of Police in 2021 by City Manager David Cooke.

In a statement, Noakes says that he's retiring to focus on his family.

"My emotions are mixed because I have been with the FWPD for half my life and have truly enjoyed my career," Noakes says. "Being part of our FWPD family has been an incredible honor and a privilege. I work with amazing people who strive to make a positive difference every day. I have also enjoyed working with an incredibly supportive Mayor, Council, and City Manager’s Office."

"My decision comes down to family," he says. "I have a supportive and loving wife and children who have sacrificed so much and supported me and the Fort Worth Police Department. I became a grandfather in July, and I have a second grandchild on the way. It’s time for me to focus on my family."

Chief Noakes has held various ranks and served in multiple areas of the department, including Patrol, DWI, Motors, and Internal Affairs.

Before being named Chief of Police, Noakes served as Deputy Chief, overseeing the South Command. He earned his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Tarleton State University and his master's degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology from Texas Christian University (TCU). Additionally, he is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute’s 137th Administrative Officers Course and TCU’s inaugural Leadership, Executive, and Administrative Development Program (L.E.A.D. #1).

His accomplishments include establishing a new Wellness Unit and his involvement in youth engagement programs such as Operation Progress, Read2Win, All Pro Dad, and the City of Fort Worth’s Education Initiative.

In a statement Fort Worth City Manager David Cooke praises Chief Noakes for his focus on community problem-solving and reducing crime, even despite Fort Worth’s population growth over the last decade.

“You’ve got to love the job to be good at being a police chief and he’s an extraordinary police chief," Cooke says. "If you hear him talk about the officers and the staff that work at the police department you get this beautiful understanding of what it’s like to be a police family. He leads the police department with that type of ethic and family feeling."

Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker says she has "nothing but respect" for Noakes' decision to retire and put family first.

"I’m so grateful to Neil, his wife, and his family for the more than 25 years of service, sacrifice, and leadership that he has provided to Fort Worth, Parker says. "He has led the Fort Worth Police Department through some of the most difficult times our city has faced with humility, transparency, and compassion for the community as his top priority. He is truly leaving this department better than he found it."

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