For more on grounds to cancel or discharge a federal student loan debt, see NCLC’s Education loan Laws Chapter 10. That chapter examines the closed school, false certification, unpaid refund borrower defense, disability, and death discharges, and also forgiveness for public service, teachers, other professions, and for other categories of student loan borrowers. Forgiveness based on income-driven repayment plans is examined at NCLC’s Education loan Rules Chapter 3.
When the principal amount of a homeowner’s mortgage debt is partially or fully forgiven through a short sale, loan modification or otherwise, the amount forgiven is included in a taxpayer’s gross income, triggering a potential hefty tax liability. The Qualified Principal Residence Indebtedness (QPRI) Exclusion allows a taxpayer to exclude up to $2 million of the forgiven debt related to a decline in the value of the residence or to the financial condition of the taxpayer. Select 26 You.S.C. § 108(a)(1)(E). The QPRI exclusion was to expire on . See Personal Rules No. 116-260, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020, div. EE, § 114.
The new Consumer Relief About the Time and Bills
The ARPA provides an additional $4 find COre.5 billion for energy bills through the existing Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). See ARPA § 2911. For a discussion of the LIHEAP program, see NCLC’s Access to Electric Rules Chapter 8. State LIHEAP programs have already received their regular appropriations for this year, and will receive their allocation from the additional $4.5 billion shortly. Low-income consumers should incorporate immediately for LIHEAP assistance if they have not done so already.
The ARPA may provide other assistance for tenants with utility arrears, depending on the state and local government. Tools have been defined to include electricity, gas, water and sewer, trash removal, and energy costs, such as fuel oil. In addition broadband can be covered an “other expense” under this program, depending on the state or locality. The Treasury has already sent to the says and local governing bodies Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) funds pursuant to the , COVID relief package. The ARPA provides an additional $20 billion, which will likely be distributed in a similar manner. See ARPA § 3201. Check to see if the state or local agencies administering ERA assistance are allowing existing ERA assistance (and presumably the new funds) to be used not only for rent payments, but for utility arrearages or payments on current utility bills.
Assist to possess Residents, Clients
The ARPA includes $10 billion to help prevent foreclosures through the Homeowner’s Assistance Fund that will be distributed to the states and then to homeowners through state housing finance agencies. ARPA § 3206. States have 45 days to apply for the funds. Homeowners cannot seek assistance until the states determine the criteria for this assistance and the appropriate application procedures. NCLC will provide further guidance when available.
The Treasury has already sent to state and local governments Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) funds from the COVID relief package. The ARPA provides an additional $20 billion, which will likely be distributed in a similar manner. ARPA § 3201. Check to see if the state or local agencies administering ERA assistance have established application procedures and criteria for distribution of the ERA funds appropriated by the legislation.
Broadband Recommendations
The ARPA provides $7.2 billion for broadband for schools and libraries to help close the homework gap for students (called the “Emergency Connectivity Fund” program). ARPA § 7402. The Federal Communication Commission has 60 days from enactment to develop the rules for this program, but it is expected to cover things like hot spots and internet service costs for those hot spots for students and library patrons. This funding is different than the Emergency Broadband Benefit program authorized by the legislation. Consumers should be able to enroll at the end of April or early May. Payments of up to fifty dollars a month are expected to be sent to eligible individuals by the end of April or early May (up to $75 on tribal lands) for broadband service. These payments will help connect low-income students, families, and unemployed workers. There will also be payments up to $100 for a laptop, tablet or desktop (with a $10–$50 co-pay).