 TITLE: How to Manage Payments if You’re Unemployed CONTENT: Know Your Rights\n----------------\nDepending on your circumstances, you may be eligible to receive unemployment benefits to help you get by until you can find work again. Federal unemployment benefits have been updated and expanded to help those who have lost work during the pandemic. States write their own benefit policies and application procedures, so you'll need to review the rules for your state—the U.S. Department of Labor has a helpful resource for doing this.\nYour lenders may be willing to work with you as well. If you think you may have difficulty making your bill payments as agreed, check to see what accommodations your creditors may agree to. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers a list of resources and protections available due to the coronavirus; Experian also provides an extensive list of resources you can use.\nIn addition, those with federal student loans do not need to make payments and will pay no interest until at least September 30, 2021. And homeowners have the right to request mortgage forbearance if they're experiencing a financial hardship due to the pandemic. END