The coronavirus outbreak has many working Alabamians nervous about the future, should they lose their jobs or skip a paycheck because of quarantining or home shelter plans.

With businesses shuttered and workers facing uncertain futures, companies are announcing ways to cope with your immediate financial needs.

Utilities

Most Alabamians receive their power from Alabama Power. The utility says it has not disconnected any customers for non-payment since the state of emergency declaration.

Anyone affected by the outbreak, or who has lost their job, should contact the utility before bills lapse. The company says it can offer payment options, or refer them to community action agencies such as Project SHARE, a program in partnership with The Salvation Army, which helps pay energy bills for low-income Alabamians or for the disabled.

Spokesman Michael Sznajderman said there are no plans to disconnect anyone who has been impacted by COVID-19. Those who are affected and have difficulty paying their bills should contact Customer Service at alabamapower.com or 1-800-245-2244.

Many other communities, particularly in north Alabama, are served through cooperatives that receive power from the Tennessee Valley Authority. TVA spokesman Jimmie Ray Hopson said the utility has provided guidance to local power companies offering flexibility, which will allow them to temporarily prevent the disconnection of electric service for non-payment during the current COVID-19 outbreak.

“Specific decisions on how to structure those policies are under the control of the leadership of each local power company, however any new practices must be fairly and consistently applied to all of its customers,” Hopson said. “As a result, for any specific questions on policies in your area, you would need to contact your local power company.”

Spire says it is suspending disconnects and late fees until May 1 for residential and business customers, and any customer affected by the virus can contact the company.

Cable, Internet and phone

Several companies, such as Comcast and Charter, say they will not disconnect Internet service or assess late fees if customer contact them about trouble paying bills. Verizon is also waiving late fees for residential and small business customers negatively impacted by the pandemic. Contact your providers, many of which have coronavirus protocols on their websites.

Credit cards and mortgages

Some credit card companies are extending payment deadlines, lowering the annual percentage rate (APR) on the card and waiving late fees in response to the crisis.

Citi earlier this month announced it was offering assistance to impacted customers in the U.S. through fee waivers for Citibank customers, hardship programs and offering small business support. Wells Fargo says it is providing assistance on credit card, auto, mortgage, small business and personal lending with customers who contact the bank. Discover said its customers may receive assistance related to payment timing, fees and late payments.

BBVA announced several initiatives available through April 17. The bank has set up a page with information if you need loans or credit card extensions. It has also waived and refunded ATM fees charged by other banks/ATM networks to use their ATMs, and is offering penalty-free CD withdrawals, for CDs opened prior to March 1. Available upon request.

Credit card holders should contact their companies or visit the websites to find out how to take advantage of these plans.

For mortgages, the same applies. Birmingham-based Regions, for example, has hotlines for credit card payments and mortgage/loan hardship.

“Regions has an established customer assistance program and we have many years of experience working with customers through natural disasters and other situations to address their specific needs,” Evelyn Mitchell, a senior vice president with Regions said. “We are encouraging customers experiencing a financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic to contact Regions directly for assistance with loan payments and other needs. Regions bankers are also reaching out to business clients directly to discuss their unique situations and how Regions can assist.”

Analysts say you should call now if you expect to miss a payment and not wait until a payment lapses.

Taxes

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday individuals and businesses will get an extra 90 days to pay their income taxes this year, due to the coronavirus. Individual and small business filers will be able to defer payments of up to $1 million and corporations can defer up to $10 million without incurring interest or penalties. But Mnuchin encouraged people who could to go ahead and file before the April 15 deadline in order to receive tax refunds, if eligible.

The Alabama Department of Revenue this week said it will mirror the federal guidelines for individual taxpayers. Those with individual return questions should call (334) 353-0602. The department is also waiving late payment penalties for some small retail businesses through June 1. Similar sales tax relief may be available on a case-by-case basis to other businesses significantly impacted by the coronavirus.

Unemployment

If you have lost your job, the Alabama Department of Labor has modified its existing unemployment compensation rules to allow workers to file claims. This includes people quarantined by a medical professional, those who are laid off or sent home without pay for an extended period by their employer due to COVID-19 concerns, caregivers, and those diagnosed.

Workers can file for benefits at the website or by calling 1-866-234-5382. Online filing is encouraged.

If you’re still seeking a job, you will most likely have to do so online. All of Alabama’s 51 Career Centers are closed until further notice. However, Career Center services are still available locally through telephone calls with the staff, or through email.

You can also search through a database of jobs with the Job Link service, the state’s free online jobs database.