As non-essential businesses shut their doors in New Jersey because of coronavirus, tens of thousands of people have lost their jobs.

Claims for unemployment rose 20% for the week ending March 14 compared to the same period a year ago. And that was before the state’s widespread business closures.

Officials say they want New Jerseyans to concentrate on their health rather than worry about money.

But few people can afford to ignore the massive changes that may come for their finances.

We’re providing you with a list of critical money items you need to know — a survival kit of sorts — to help you get through it all.

Note that the legislature is working on a large package of bills to help workers, so more changes may come.

Apply for unemployment insurance

If you lose your paycheck through no fault of your own, you can apply for unemployment insurance. You can do that here.

How much of a benefit you would get will depend on your wage records, the Department of Labor said on its website.

Under current law, you could be eligible for up to 26 weeks of benefits, but there are certain requirements you must meet.

But if your workplace temporarily or permanently closed because of coronavirus, full- and part-time workers could be eligible for benefits without meeting those requirements.

“This claim would initially be considered a temporary layoff, thus suspending the provision that the worker be able, available and actively seeking work,” DOL said. “As of now, a layoff lasting longer than eight weeks would require the person to be able, available and actively looking for employment.”

If you’re getting fewer hours, you could be eligible for partial unemployment Insurance benefits.

The DOL provides a helpful Q&A that covers even more scenarios, such as if you couldn’t work because you had to stay home to care for a child.

Also see this story, which details other scenarios under which you may qualify for benefits.

The legislature is looking at ways to expand unemployment benefits, so keep updated on the DOL website.

Make immediate changes in spending

When you were working and flush with cash, you could probably afford to spend on non-essential items. If you’ve lost your job or you’re not sure what your income will look like in the future, it’s time to take a hard look at your budget and consider cutting discretionary expenses.

You don’t want to raid your 401(k). With the market slump, you’d be selling at a loss. A 401(k) loan won’t help, either. Most require you to pay back the money if you lose or leave your job. Otherwise you’ll face taxes and penalties unless you’re older than 59 ½.

Credit cards aren’t the answer, either. We don’t know how long these rough times will last, and building up high-interest debt when your income is uncertain will only add to your money woes.

Got a mortgage? Worried about foreclosure?

If you’re afraid you won’t be able to make your mortgage payment, start by contacting your lender. Banks and lenders will want to get paid, and most will be willing to work with you.

You’ll be in a better position to negotiate if you contact your lender before you are late or miss a payment.

There are also protections from the state.

Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill that gave him the authority place a moratorium on evictions of homeowners amid foreclosure proceedings, and he signed an executive order to “immediately suspend” such actions.

The order would remain in effect for no longer than two months following the end of the state of emergency declared by Murphy.

“No one, and I repeat no one, in New Jersey should fear being kicked out of their home in an emergency,” the governor said.

Lenders can still pursue foreclosures but would not be able to carry out a removal until the order is lifted.

Generally, banks won’t start foreclosure proceedings until payments are overdue by 90 days, so that also gives troubled homeowners and lenders time to come to a modified agreement if needed.

Murphy also said he’s urging “in the strongest possible terms” that lenders “do what they can for their mortgage customers to make loan repayment much more flexible in coming weeks and months.”

Foreclosures on mortgages through Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, those foreclosures are on hold for two months.

Renters: Stay where you are

Evictions, like foreclosures, are on hold in New Jersey for the same time period.

But if you think you’ll have trouble paying the rent, talk to your landlord now and see if you can come to a modified agreement that will keep you out of court when the moratorium is finally lifted.

Utility bills: Pay if you can (but they won’t turn out the lights)

New Jersey’s major power companies said they will keep on gas and electric service for residential customers who don’t pay their bills during the coronavirus outbreak.

“In the interest of protecting public health, PSE&G is temporarily suspending shutoffs of electric or gas service to residential customers for non-payment,” PSE&G said in a statement.

Similarly, a JCP&L spokesman told NJ Advance Media: “We have decided to suspend service shutoffs for past-due customers.”

Atlantic City Electric said in a statement it is “is suspending service disconnections, already in place as part of the Winter Termination Program (WTP) and waiving new late payment fees through at least May 1, and will be working with customers on a case-by-case basis to establish payment arrangements and identify energy assistance options.”

Check here to see if you qualify for energy assistance programs in New Jersey.

Food: Ask for help

You may be eligible for NJ SNAP, or New Jersey’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. This helps low-income families buy the groceries.

Remember your local school district is also providing meals to more than 500,000 students who qualify for free and reduced-costs meals. If you think your child now qualifies, learn how to apply here.

You can also find food pantries and food banks across the state. The legislature passed a bill to send $15 million to food banks in the state, including the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, the Food Bank of South Jersey and Fulfill of Monmouth and Ocean counties.

Learn about more food resources here.

Student loan payments

There’s help for borrowers repaying loans through the New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students (NJCLASS) program. 3

The New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) will offer assistance to those who need help making regular payments to NJCLASS student loans due to a diminished income, the agency said.

The HESAA website said those affected by coronavirus can apply for NJCLASS loan relief for temporary disability or unemployment. Click these links for the applications for the unemployment relief options and temporary disability relief options.

NJCLASS borrowers can apply for financial hardship relief. That application can be found here.

The U.S. Department of Education has suspended payments on federal loans while setting interest rates of these loans to zero during the national state of emergency.

Secretary Betsy DeVos directed all federal student loan servicers to give administrative forbearance to any federal loan borrower who requests one. It would be in effect for a period of at least 60 days, beginning on March 13, 2020. To make the request, contact your loan servicer.

The department also authorized an automatic suspension of payments for any borrower who is more than 31 days delinquent or becomes more than 31 days delinquent as of March 13, 2020.

But it seems not all lenders have gotten the message. Be persistent when you contact your lender.

For private student loans, contact your lender to see about pausing your payments.

Car leases and loans: Call your dealer and/or bank

You should contact your bank or lender, or your dealership, to see what help it will offer.

Edmunds offers this list of payment deferral and end-of-lease programs by carmakers.

What about income taxes?

The federal government has postponed the filing and payment deadlines for tax returns normally due on April 15 until July 15. Before it was made official, New Jersey said it usually follows the lead of the IRS for such deadline changes.

Want to work? Start looking and be flexible

We know this isn’t an easy time to look for work, but some businesses are actually hiring.

Grocery and food stores remain open, as do pharmacies and other essential businesses.

Amazon is adding jobs, as is Walmart, 7-11, and other businesses.

Just make sure you don’t fall for an employment scam. Whenever there’s an emergency, scammers try to take advantage of desperate people. Learn more here.

Tell us your coronavirus stories, whether it’s a news tip, a topic you want us to cover, or a personal story you want to share.

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Statehouse reporter Samantha Marcus contributed to this report.

Have you been Bamboozled? Reach Karin Price Mueller at Bamboozled@NJAdvanceMedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KPMueller. Find Bamboozled on Facebook. Mueller is also the founder of NJMoneyHelp.com. Stay informed and sign up for NJMoneyHelp.com’s weekly e-newsletter.