Bills, bills, bills

It’s the first of the month and mortgages, rents and many utility bills are coming due. Tuesday, Gov. Roy Cooper issued an executive order banning utilities from shutting off electric, gas, water and wastewater services for the next 60 days. Cooper also encouraged landlords to delay evictions but unless you have a federally backed mortgage or rental, you may still be on the hook for payment.

Federal officials imposed a nationwide halt to foreclosures and evictions for Americans with home mortgages backed by the Federal Housing Administration or Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The $2 trillion economic stimulus bill prohibits rental evictions for 120 days on properties secured with a government-backed mortgage, according to the Washington Post. Read more

On March 13, North Carolina Chief Justice Cheri Beasley issued an order halting eviction and foreclosure court hearings for 30 days. In Mecklenburg County, plans for rental assistance and other housing-focused relief are in the works, according to The Charlotte Observer. Read more

When will the check be in the mail?

The Internal Revenue Service announced Monday that distribution of stimulus checks will begin in the next three weeks and will be distributed automatically, with no action required for most people. However, some people, including some veterans and people with disabilities and others who don’t normally have to file a tax return, will need to file a simple tax return to receive a payment.

For tax filers who provided direct deposit information on their 2019 or 2018 returns, the IRS will deposit stimulus money into those accounts. For those without direct deposit information on file, the IRS is setting up a plan to allow the information to be securely uploaded online. To keep up with the rapidly changing details, go to IRS.gov/coronavirus.

By the numbers: April 1

  • Mecklenburg County cases: 444, 1 death as of 1:10 p.m. today
  • NC cases: 1,584 cases, 10 deaths as of 1:10 p.m. today
  • Find latest info at the NCDHSS site.

In the news:

The WHO is considering whether non-infected people should wear non-medical face masks when out in public. Read more. Want to make your own mask?

Keep busy while keeping your distance

  • Get your bake on even if you are out of some essential supplies. Washington Post food writer: No flour, butter or eggs? We have 6 sweet recipes for that.
  • NBA fanatics, mark your calendar: ESPN is moving up its release date for a 10-part documentary series on Charlotte’s own Michael Jordan. The series will premiere on April 19 and air on Sunday nights over five weeks through May 17. “The Last Dance” will cover Jordan’s final season with the Chicago Bulls. Who is the GOAT? Let the debate begin.

UPDATE: Late Wednesday, the Treasury Department announced that Social Security beneficiaries who typically do not file a tax return will automatically get the $1,200 payment deposited into their accounts and no longer need to submit a simple tax return. Read more.

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