NATURAL DISASTERS UPDATES

For current information and updates on the ICE STORM and for COVID 19, please visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management - searchable by zip code. Click here to visit them or go to TDEM – Texas Emergency Management – https://tdem.texas.gov/.

For 2020 Tax Returns - special $300 tax deduction helps most people give to charity this year – even if they don’t itemize

Visit IRS.GOV here to learn more.

If you contributed  less than $250.00 and paid with a check to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Saint Maria Goretti, we would be honored and pleased to send you a 501C3 letter indicating the amount of your generous gift to those in dired need.

Please send an email to: svdpsmg1200@gmail.com
Attention Treasurer,

We are very thankful for your donation and we will prepare the letter as quickly as possible. 

If your gift was larger then $250.00 you must have received a letter already. In case you have not, please send us an email with the same instructions and we will reply as quickly as possible too. 

Thank You and God Bless! 

Unemployment Claims and Filing, tips and links

“I ask Our Lord to be your light and strength in all the events of this life.”      Saint Vincent de Paul
 
Friday, February 19, 2021– After the great snow storm, as we continue witnessing the events of the pandemic, and all its repercussions, our desire is to keep you informed with the most up to date information available to us. Please keep praying with us to see the end of the Corona Virus and a return to normalcy!

Referrals and information:
Eviction Courts - Most evictions were not yet taking place as of Feb 19, 2021, and the program would more likely be extended during the first months of 2021. For a comprehensive list of resources offered by the City and partners, please visit: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/city_hall/departments/housing_authority/housing_authority_covid-19_update


Copied text from Tarrant County – Print your PDF Copy by clicking here.

Will Tarrant County offer rental assistance programs for those negatively impacted by COVID-19 in the future?
Yes. Tarrant County is expected to receive additional federal funds for rental assistance in January or February 2021.
If eligible, an applicant may qualify for assistance for unpaid/overdue rent as well as several months of future rents. Please continue to check back at RentHelp.TarrantCounty.com for more information.

Will the new program have the same eligibility criteria as before?
No. There will be a new application with new requirements and eligibility criteria. To receive assistance, you will need to complete a new application even if you were approved in 2020 through the Tarrant CARES program.

I have a renter’s rights question. Who should I contact?
Renter’s rights questions should be directed to one of the following organizations:

• Arlington Only - Arlington Code Compliance for North: 817-459-6257 for South: 817-459-5342 for East: 817-459-6270 for West: 817-459-5986
• Arlington Only - Arlington Tenant Rights: 817-276-6775
• Fort Worth Only - Fort Worth Code Compliance: 817-329-1234 or 1234@fortworthtexas.gov
• Fort Worth Only - Fort Worth Diversity and Inclusion Department: 817-392-7525
• Legal Aid of Northwest Texas: 888-529-5277
• North Texas Fair Housing Center: 469-941-0375

My landlord does not wish to participate in the program. What are my options?
If your landlord does not wish to participate in this program, another option may be dispute resolution. Contact 817-850-7940 for more information.

My tenant does not wish to participate in the program. What are my options?
If your tenant does not wish to participate in the program, another option may be dispute resolution. Contact 817-850-7940 for more information.

*** We want to assist you! Please email RentHelp@tarrantcounty.com or call 817-850-7940. Thank you for your help!

RENT RELIEF PROGRAM – Possibly a different avenue to request assistance (they might be now combined).
 

The TEXAS EVICTION DIVERSION PROGRAM is providing rental assistance for those tenants who have fallen behind on rent and have been filed for eviction. Please click here to be redirected to their program or hit here to download a PDF file with the qualifications and details about the program. You can also call Ph. 1-833-989-7368 from Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 6 PM. The website is www.tdhca.state.tx.us/TEDP.htm, please click here

The CARE4Tarrant Rental Assistance program is now closed, therefore please review the information provided above. Please visit the Care 4 Website to get the latest updates at: http://access.tarrantcounty.com/en/county/social-services/rental-assistance-application.html – A copy of the frequently asked questions is available by clicking here.

Most eviction proceedings are currently halted in Texas, but there are certain guidelines that you must follow in order to meet and qualify for the extensions. For instance, if your landlord indicates that you represent a physical threat, or if you have committed a criminal offense, a special court will evict you. For more information, watch the following Legal Aid video. If you have questions regarding any proceeding, call Legal Aid of North Texas at 972-542-9405 Ext. 200, and in Fort Worth: 817-336-3943, or visit their web site here. 
 
In regard to Utility Assistance, please call our help line at (817)260-0376 to request the latest referrals. 
 
No eviction proceedings will not mean that the Landlord cannot issue a notice to vacate or a notice of intent to file eviction. If you have received any of these two notices, please stay in place for now, and if you can pay your rent, pay it.  If not, ask the landlord if he can work with you. The landlord can also change the locks while you are out, but they are required by law to place a notice on the door of the unit telling tenants where to call to be let back into the unit.  The landlord is required to respond.  Legal Aid of North Texas is a great resource if your landlord is acting outside of the rules (Arlington Housing Authority comments)."
We also invite you to visit the please visit the Texas Apartment Association-LINK- to obtain renters resources and helpful information, and learn about the renters initiatives and point of view. 
 
Mortgage Information and foreclosures
Regarding home mortgages and payment plans, the advice is to contact your mortgage company and negotiate with them a payment plan, let them know you would be behind due to the Shelter in Home ordinance. Please visit here for more information, and learn about the 120 day eviction moratorium.
 
Short Term Financial Assistance (Same assistance as described above, additional valuable information)
The Federal Government, through the HUD, as well as the State of Texas, is currently working a rescue plan to provide limited short-term financial assistance in Arlington, TX, through the City of Arlington Housing Authority. They can be reached by calling 817-276-6713. If you are not in Arlington, but in Tarrant County, please download the following update from Tarrant County here to learn who to call. Another number you can use is Tarrant County Human Services help line, and their phone number is: 817-531-5620 Option 2, or visit: https://www.tarrantcounty.com/en/justice-of-the-peace-courts/justice-1/covid-19---jc1/mobile-testing.html for the latest details, or to file a Care Act Application.
 

City of Arlington, resource agencies assisting during the outbreak and food banks, including Saint Padre Pio Food Pantry
Several food banks are currently assisting in our area, including Saint Maria Goretti’s Saint Padre Pio Food Pantry. You can reach our Social Ministry Office by calling: 817-274-0643, Ext. 235. For a list of local food banks, please click here. In addition, the Tarrant Area Food Bank,  https://tafb.org/ has additional sources all across Tarrant County. The City of Arlington also enumerates a number of additional resources for families impacted by the disaster, such as personal computers, low cost internet service, health clinics, child care, and more: click here. 
 
Additionally, you can visit Tarrant County that also has sources for food banks, housing, and financial resources to support residents. Additional resources are listed below:

United Way of Tarrant County - https://www.unitedwaytarrant.org/
Catholic Charities Fort Worth - https://www.catholiccharitiesfortworth.org/
Tarrant County Homeless Coalition website provides a range of community resources - https://ahomewithhope.org/education/links-resources/< /a> and https://ahomewithhope.org/help/
 
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SERVICES
Lastly, we hope that you can keep informed of the latest news by visiting the Texas Department of Health and Services website in a consistent basis to learn the latest news and policies dealing with the pandemic. You can click here to enter their website.