Worried about bills? Here's what internet, utility companies are doing to help



SEATTLE -- The economic impacts of the coronavirus crisis are widespread and changing by the hour.

Companies and government agencies large and small are stepping up to help as more and more Americans face uncertain financial futures.

The Trump administration is proposing sending emergency checks to people across the country within two weeks, while Congress works to pass paid sick leave, emergency food funding and free virus testing.

The IRS is delaying the April 15th tax deadline, allowing Americans to defer up to $1 million in payments to the Internal Revenue Service for 90 days.

Here are some things local and regional governments and companies are doing to help customers facing economic hardship:

EVICTION MORATORIUMS

Seattle: Mayor Jenny Durkan has signed a moratorium on rent-related residential evictions, but it only applies to the city. King County and its other cities have not yet enacted such a ban. (Seattle also has artist grants, grocery assistance and other services available to residents who qualify.)

Everett: Mayor Cassie Franklin has signed a temporary moratorium on residential evictions in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Everett City Council will be asked to ratify the order at Wednesday’s City Council meeting. Franklin ordered the moratorium reduce the number of residents and families ending up homeless.

PHONE, INTERNET COMPANIES

Comcast: (For the next 60 days) Xfinity Wifi hotspots will be free to anyone - including non-Xfinity subscribers; all customers will receive unlimited data free of charge; and no late fees or disconnects as long as a customer contacts Comcast to explain the situation.

CenturyLink: Waiving late fees, unlimited data and no disconnects for 60 days.

Spectrum Mobile: No late fees, free wifi hotspots, no disconnects for 60 days.

AT&T: No disconnects when customers can't pay their bills because of coronavirus disruptions. The company is also waiving related late fees. Like Comcast, AT&T is also providing free access to its public WiFi hot spots. The company also said its consumer home internet wireline customers and fixed wireless internet customers would receive unlimited data.

Verizon: Verizon said it is waiving late fees and won't be disconnecting service for customers "negatively impacted by the global crisis."

T-Mobile: Unlimited data to all current customers who have plans with data for the next 60 days. It will also provide additional data to mobile hotspot users.

Health Coronavirus