Financial Information (North Carolina)
Underemployment and Unemployment:
NORTH CAROLINA EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 118: LIMITING OPERATIONS OF RESTAURANTS AND BARS AND BROADENING UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19
- Sections 2 of this executive order says that The Department of Commerce Division of Employment Security is to ensure unemployment benefits for people who were separated from employment, had their hours reduced, couldn't work because of COVID-19, or weren't allowed to work due to quarantine or isolation.
- Section 3 of this executive order says that The Department of Commerce is allowed to waive many of the traditional unemployment requirements such as the one-week waiting period, able and available to work, searching for a job, and lack of work. It also postpones all in-person meetings with the Department of Commerce until the State of Emergency order is rescinded.
- Section 5 of this executive order says that these orders will stay in effect until they are rescinded or superseded by another executive order or the State of Emergency is rescinded.
North Carolina: Department of Commerce - Division of Employment Security (DES)
Utilities
NORTH CAROLINA EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 124: ASSISTING NORTH CAROLINIANS BY PROHIBITING UTILITY SHUT-OFFS, LATE FEES, AND RECONNECTION FEES; PROVIDING GUIDANCE ABOUT RESTRICTIONS ON EVICTIONS, AND ENCOURAGING TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROVIDERS, BANKS, AND MORTGAGE SERVICES TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND FLEXIBILITY TO THEIR CUSTOMERS
- SECTION 1: Electrical, Natural Gas, Water, and/or Wastewater Utilities
- Section 1(a) of this executive order defines which utilities are within scope of this section of the executive order. Generally it is dealing with utility companies that provide electricity, natural gas, water, and/or wastewater services.
- Section 1(b) of this executive order states that that utility providers cannot turn off anyone's serviced due to lack of payment. They are allowed to turn of services if there is an unsafe situation or if the resident requests it.
- Section 1(c) of this executive order states that utility companies will not bill or collect any fee, charge, penalty, or interest related to late payments. For any charges incurred during the scope of this executive order, the utility customers are to be given the ability to make reasonable payment arrangements over a six month period. That six month period starts when this executive order ends.
- Section 1(g) of this executive order states that it will be in effect for sixty days (from 3/31/2020) unless rescinded or superseded by another executive order.
- Section 1(h) of this executive order states that this order does not apply to additional optional services that the customer may add after 3/31/2020. It also does not cover penalties or fees issued as fines or penalties improperly using or abusing the utility service.
- Section 2: Telecom, Mobile Telecom, Cable, Internet, and Wireless Internet Providers
- Section 2(a) of this executive order encourages (but does not order) telecommunications, mobile communications (cell phone), cable, internet, and wireless providers to follow the guidelines set out in section 1 of this executive order.
- Section 2(b) of this executive order encourages internet providers to lift or greatly expand the data caps on their services.
Housing Concerns
Chief Justice Beasly Issues Order Postponing Court Proceedings Until June 1, 2020
- Most court cases are being given a continuance until 6/1/2020 at the earliest.
- Most new court proceedings are not to be scheduled before 6/1/2020.
- Effectively this means that, unless there are extraordinary circumstances, almost all eviction proceedings will be delayed until 6/1/2020 at the earliest.
NORTH CAROLINA EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 124: ASSISTING NORTH CAROLINIANS BY PROHIBITING UTILITY SHUT-OFFS, LATE FEES, AND RECONNECTION FEES; PROVIDING GUIDANCE ABOUT RESTRICTIONS ON EVICTIONS, AND ENCOURAGING TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROVIDERS, BANKS, AND MORTGAGE SERVICES TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND FLEXIBILITY TO THEIR CUSTOMERS
- Section 3: Eviction Proceedings
- Section 3 of this executive order states that there should no new eviction proceedings started until Chief Justice Beasly's orders expire. (see above)
- Section 3 encourages property owners to work with tenants to come to arrangements regarding modified payment plans.
- Section 3 encourages lenders are also encouraged to work with property owners to come to arrangements on modified payment plans.