COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

A. You can get the most accurate and up-to-date information on COVID-19 at cdc.gov and coronavirus.gov. To learn more about government benefits, free services, and financial strategies, please read this article.

A. Yes, you can get a fee waived – to request a waiver of a fee you've been charged, please contact us by sending a message inside Patelco Online™ or calling us at 800.358.8228. Right now we are waiving many fees, including:

• ACH Returned Item
• NSF Fee
• Paid NSF Fee
• NSF Bill Pay Fee
• NSF POS Fee
• Loan Payment Late Charge
• Payment Deferral and Skip-A-Pay Fees
• Cash Advance Fees
• Foreign Transaction Fees

A. Yes, check out our LOANS section below for more answers about loans, as well as our full list of loan FAQs.

A. Your financial wellness remains at the heart of all we do.

If you want to talk about your investments or retirement accounts, our CFS* Financial Advisors are available to listen to your concerns and answer your questions. Visit our financial advisors page to find your nearest financial advisor.

We also encourage you to talk to us about your current financial situation and any concerns you might have. Our Certified Financial Specialists welcome these conversations and are available at our branches or by phone, so set up a free appointment today. 

*Non-deposit investment products and services are offered through CUSO Financial Services, L.P. ("CFS"), a registered broker-dealer (Member FINRA/ SIPC) and SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Products offered through CFS: are not NCUA/NCUSIF or otherwise federally insured, are not guarantees or obligations of the credit union, and may involve investment risk including possible loss of principal. Investment Representatives are registered through CFS. Patelco Credit Union has contracted with CFS to make non-deposit investment products and services available to credit union members.

A. Yes. Log in to Patelco Online™ and select the Skip-A-Pay widget to skip a single loan payment. (You may need to select the MORE... widget first.) We are waiving Skip-A-Pay fees at this time, so even though a fee may be displayed in online banking, you will not be charged the fee.

If you need a longer deferral, you can also call us at 800.358.8228 to talk about modifying your loan terms and deferring payments. Most loans can be deferred up to 3 months. Keep in mind that call wait times are longer, so your patience is appreciated. 

For more information about loans, check out our full list of loan FAQs.

A. Yes. Call us at 800.358.8228 to talk about modifying your loan terms and deferring payments. We’re here to help. Keep in mind that call wait times are longer, so your patience is appreciated.

For more information about loans, check out our full list of loan FAQs.

A. Yes, interest continues to accrue.

For more information about loans, check out our full list of loan FAQs.

A. No, we’re waiving fees on payment deferrals right now to help alleviate any additional financial hardship you’re experiencing.

For more information about loans, check out our full list of loan FAQs.

A. Your payments will resume on the new due date; you don’t need to set up automatic payments again.

A. No, we’re waiving Skip-A-Pay fees right now because we care about your financial wellness.

A. No, due to the COVID-19 exception, any deferrals or skipped payments made at this time will not count against the total allotment for the life of the loan.

A. No. Your due date will advance, and your loan will be reported as current.

A. Reach out to us at 800.358.8228 to discuss your options. Please understand we are trying to help everyone with their immediate needs so if you anticipate needing assistance beyond our current 3-month deferral plan, we recommend following up in April or May.

A. To check the status of your stimulus payment, please visit the IRS website's stimulus payment page. Please note that Patelco will not be able to tell you where or when your payment will arrive. 

The US Treasury has said it expected most people to get their payments by April 17. For people without direct deposit, the Treasury said it would start printing and mailing economic impact payment checks beginning April 22, 2020. Checks will be mailed daily.

A. Your payment will depend on your income. Single adults with Social Security numbers who have an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less will get the full amount ($1,200). Married couples with no children earning $150,000 or less will receive a total of $2,400. And taxpayers filing as head of household will get the full payment if they earned $112,500 or less.

If you made more money than noted above, the payment decreases until it stops altogether for single people earning $99,000 or married people who have no children and earn $198,000. According to the Senate Finance Committee, a family with two children will no longer be eligible for any payments if its income surpassed $218,000.

You are not eligible for a payment if someone claims you as a dependent, even if you’re an adult. In any given family and, in most instances, everyone must have a valid Social Security number in order to be eligible. There is an exception for members of the military.

You can find your adjusted gross income on Line 8b of your most recent form 1040 federal tax return. Here's some basic information about how much you can expect based on your filing status.

• If you‘re single: Single adults who have an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less will get the full amount of $1,200. Single filers who earned between $75,000 to $99,000 will receive a decreased payment. Single filers who earned more than $99,000 do not qualify.

• If you’re married with no kids: Married couples with no children who filed jointly and earned $150,000 or less will receive a total of $2,400. Married joint filers who earned between $150,000 to $198,000 will receive a decreased payment. Married joint filers who earned more than $198,000 do not qualify.

• If you’re married with children:Married couples with children who earn less than $150,000 will receive a check that includes $500 per child. That means a family of four earning less than $150,000 can expect $3,400. If you earned more than $218,000, you will not be eligible for payment.

• Social Security recipients who don’t file taxes:People who collect Social Security benefits for retirement, disability, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are eligible for a stimulus payment. Your checks will be based on information provided by the Social Security Administration.

 • If you file as a single head of household:If you’re a taxpayer filing as head of household, you will get the full payment if you earned $112,500 or less.

Most adults will get $1,200, although some will get less based on a higher income. For every qualifying child age 16 or under, the payment will be an additional $500. Use this form from our partner TurboTax to estimate how much you can expect.

A. If you don’t file taxes, use the Non-Filers: Enter Your Payment Info Here application available on the IRS website. You can use the application to provide simple information so you can get your stimulus payment.

You should use this application if:

• You did not file a 2018 or 2019 federal income tax return because your gross income was under $12,200 ($24,400 for married couples). This includes people who had no income.
• You weren’t required to file a 2018 or 2019 federal income tax return for other reasons If you receive these benefits, we already have your information and you will receive $1,200.

Do not use this application if you receive: Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), or survivor benefits Railroad Retirement and Survivor Benefits. However, people in these groups who have qualifying children under age 17 can use this application to claim the $500 payment per child.

Get started on the IRS website.

A. The Treasury check for economic stimulus payments will look almost the same as the Treasury checks for tax refunds, except that the check will have identifying text in the memo field stating “Economic Impact Payment” on the first line and the president’s name on the second line. As usual, the checks will be signed by a Fiscal Service disbursing official. The check symbol will either be 40381 or 40414 and will be displayed in the MICR line.

Please note that the IRS generally gets in contact with taxpayers through paper mail — not via phone calls, texts, or email, and definitely not through social media. On its website, the Treasury Department advises: “If you receive calls, emails, or other communications claiming to be from the Treasury Department and offering COVID-19 related grants or stimulus payments in exchange for personal financial information, or an advance fee, or charge of any kind, including the purchase of gift cards, please do not respond.”

A.Visit irs.gov and select the Get My Payment button to get started. Need to know your Patelco direct deposit information? Our routing number is 321076470 and your full account number can be found in online banking. After logging in, select the ACCOUNTS widget, then the account you want. Choose the Account Details tab and look for the MICR ACCOUNT NUMBER.

A. 2019. If you haven’t prepared a tax return yet, you can use your 2018 return. If you haven’t filed a 2018 or 2019 return yet, you should file as soon as possible.

If you receive Social Security benefits and do not usually file a tax return, you can estimate your stimulus check amount by reviewing your Form SSA-1099 or Form RRB-1099. Please see information on the IRS website to learn more.

If you’re filing your taxes now, opt for direct deposit. Our routing number is 321076470. Need to see your full account number? Sign in to Patelco Online™ and select the ACCOUNTS widget, then the Account Details tab for the account, then look at the MICR ACCOUNT NUMBER.

A. No. If the IRS already has your bank account information, it will transfer the money to you via direct deposit based on the most recent income tax figures it already has (2018 or 2019).

If the IRS does not have your bank account information, it will send you a paper check.

A. The existing CARES Act does not have a provision to address that circumstance now, but you may benefit once you file your 2020 taxes in 2021. That’s because the stimulus payment is technically an advance on a tax credit that is available for the tax year 2020. So whether or not you get the tax credit in 2021 will depend on how much you end up earning in 2020.

There are many other provisions in the legislation, which may help you now. You may be able to file for unemployment or for one of the new loans for small business owners or sole proprietors.

A. It could. File a return immediately (if you are supposed to file taxes), at least for 2018. According to the IRS website, “Those without 2018 tax filings on record could potentially affect mailings of stimulus checks.” If you’re worried about money that you owe that you cannot pay, the IRS recommends consulting a tax professional who can help you request an alternative payment plan or some other resolution that would allow you to file your taxes (and thereby help you receive the stimulus payment).

We’ve partnered with TurboTax to offer you a special member discount – $10 to $20 off federal filings (depending on your filing type). Use this link to get your Patelco discount from TurboTax.

If you don’t normally file taxes, use the application available on the IRS website. You can use the application to provide simple information so you can get your stimulus payment. Look for the button that says Non-Filers: Enter Your Payment Info Here.

You should use this application if:

• You did not file a 2018 or 2019 federal income tax return because your gross income was under $12,200 ($24,400 for married couples). This includes people who had no income.
• You weren’t required to file a 2018 or 2019 federal income tax return for other reasons If you receive these benefits, we already have your information and you will receive $1,200.

Do not use this application if you receive: Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), or survivor benefits Railroad Retirement and Survivor Benefits. However, people in these groups who have qualifying children under age 17 can use this application to claim the $500 payment per child.

Get started on the IRS website.

A. No and no. You do not have to pay income taxes on the amount you receive. And if your income tax refunds are currently being garnished because of a student loan default, this payment will not be garnished. In fact, the CARES Act temporarily suspends nearly all efforts to garnish tax refunds to repay debts, including those to the IRS itself. However, this waiver may not apply to people who are behind on child support.

A. Yes. Until September 30, 2020, there will be automatic payment suspensions for any student loan held by the federal government. It is hard to contact many of the loan servicers right now, so check your account online in the coming weeks. Once you are logged in, look for the current amount due. There, you should be able to see if the servicer has reset its billing systems so that you are showing no payment due.

A.  If you’ve gotten a student loan from the federal government — a so-called direct loan — in the past 10 years, you’re definitely eligible. According to the Institute for College Access & Success, 90% of loans (in dollar terms) will be eligible.

Older Federal Family Educational Loans (FFEL) that the US Department of Education does not own are not eligible, nor are Perkins loans, loans from state agencies, or loans from private lenders like Discover, Sallie Mae, and Wells Fargo. The holders of all of those kinds of loans may be offering their own assistance programs, so contact them directly to see if you can get help.

By the end of April, you are supposed to receive notice indicating what has happened with your federal student loan(s). You can choose to keep paying down your principal if you want. Then, after August 1, you should get multiple notices letting you know about the cessation of the suspension period, which is set to end on September 30, 2020. After that, you may be eligible to enroll in an income-driven repayment plan or other advantageous repayment plan.

A. The CARES Act says that interest “shall not accrue” on the loan during the suspension period. At the end of the suspension (September 30, 2020), keep a close eye on what your loan servicer does (or does not do) to put you back into your previous repayment mode. Servicer errors are common.

A. No. The legislation says that your payment count will still go up by one payment each month during the 6-month suspension period created by the CARES Act, even though you will not actually be making any payments. This is true for all forgiveness or loan-rehabilitation programs.

A. Yes. So is the seizure of tax refunds, the reduction of any other federal benefit payments, and other involuntary collection efforts. 

A. For the calendar year 2020, no one will have to take a required minimum distribution (RMD) from any individual retirement accounts (IRAs) or workplace retirement savings plans, like a 401(k). This means you aren’t forced to sell investments that may have fallen in value, which would lock in losses. If you don’t need the money now, you can let the investments sit and hope that they recover.

With regard to RMDs, the CARES Act allows account owners to skip both their 2019 RMD (if it was their first year for RMDs and they had not yet made an RMD by the April 1, 2020 deadline) and their 2020 RMD. This includes RMDs from an Inherited IRA.

The CARES Act does not affect pensions, however. Contact your pension provider for questions.

A. Effective January 1, 2020, the Cares Act suspends required minimum distributions (“RMD”) for 2020 from company plans like a 401(k) and 403(b), and from IRAs. If you have already taken out your 2020 RMD, this distribution may be eligible to be rolled over to an IRA or another eligible retirement plan, provided that it is rolled over within 60 days of the distribution. 

If you have already taken your RMD for 2020 and you are still in need of financial assistance, you may be able to take a loan from your retirement account. Please see the FAQ below about taking out money early to determine if you qualify.

A. You can withdraw up to $100,000 this year without the usual 10 percent penalty, as long as it’s because of the outbreak. You will also be able to spread out any income taxes that you owe over three years from the date you took the distribution. And if you want, you could put the money back into the account before those three years are up, even though the rules would normally keep you from making a contribution that large.

This exception applies only to coronavirus-related withdrawals. You qualify if (A) you tested positive, (B) a spouse or dependent did, or (C) you experienced a variety of other negative economic consequences related to the pandemic. Employers can allow workers to self-certify that they are qualified to pull money from a workplace retirement account.

A. Yes, and you can take out twice the usual amount. For 180 days after the CARES Act passed, with certification that you’ve been affected by the pandemic, you’ll be able to take out a loan of up to $100,000. Usually you can’t take out more than half your balance, but that rule is suspended. This exception applies only to coronavirus-related withdrawals. You qualify if (A) you tested positive, (B) a spouse or dependent did, or (C) you experienced a variety of other negative economic consequences related to the pandemic.

If you already have a loan and were supposed to finish repaying it before December 31, 2020, you now get an extra year.

A. The CARES Act has some new rules and benefits for IRAs. Check out our IRA FAQs to get answers to your IRA questions.

A. Yes. The CARES Act makes a new deduction available — and not just for 2020 — for up to $300 in annual charitable contributions. It’s available only to people who don’t itemize their deductions, and you calculate this new one by subtracting the amount you give from your gross income.

To qualify, you have to give cash to a qualified charity and not to a donor-advised fund (a charitable account that is used to bunch contributions in a particular year in order to maximize deductions). If you’ve already given money since January 1, that contribution counts toward the $300 cap. If you normally itemize your deductions, this doesn’t apply to you.

A. Yes, they have. As part of the CARES Act, donors can deduct 100 percent of their gift against their 2020 adjusted gross income. For example, if you have $1 million of income, you can give $1 million to a public charity and deduct the full amount in 2020.

The new deduction is only for cash gifts that go to a public charity. If you give cash to, say, your private foundation, the old deduction rules apply. And while the organizations that manage donor-advised funds are public charities, you do not get the higher deduction for donating cash to your donor-advised fund.

If your assets are substantial enough that you can give more than your income this year, you won’t lose the deduction for the excess amount. You can use it next year, as has always been the case.

A. Some employers already help pay for student loans as an employee benefit. Between the date the CARES Act was signed and the end of 2020, employers can offer up to $5,250 of assistance without that money counting as part of the employee’s income. If the employer pays tuition for classes an employee is taking, that money will also count toward the $5,250 maximum. (Anything in excess of this maximum can be paid by your employer, but will be counted as part of your wages.)

A. No. There is not supposed to be, at least. The CARES Act states that during the period beginning on January 31 and continuing 120 days after the end of the national emergency declaration, lenders and others should mark your credit file as current, even if you take advantage of payment modifications.

If you had black marks in your file before the virus hit, those will remain unless you fix the issues during the emergency period.

Credit reporting agencies can make errors. Be sure to check your credit report a few times each year, especially if you accept any help from any financial institution or biller this year.

A. Yes. The CARES Act puts a temporary, nationwide eviction moratorium in place for any renters whose landlords have mortgages backed or owned by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and other federal entities. This will last for 120 days after the CARES Act passes, and landlords also can’t charge any fees or penalties for nonpayment of rent.

Your state or local government may also have a temporary moratorium against evictions. Check your local government’s website for details.

A. Yes. Menstrual products are now eligible for reimbursement.

A. No. The CARES Act does not make cutting off utilities or internet service illegal. If you’re having difficulty paying these bills, we suggest you contact your service providers directly – they may be able to help. You can also talk to us – we’re available at MyFinancialJourney@patelco.org and want to talk about what’s on your mind, including bills.

A. It depends on your state. Benefits will be expanded in an attempt to replace the average worker’s paycheck. Under the plan, eligible workers will get an extra $600 per week on top of their state benefit. In California, the state benefit is a maximum is $450 per week. To find out an estimate of how much you would receive from the state of California if you were to receive unemployment benefits, use the state government’s estimation calculator. (If you live outside California, visit your state government’s unemployment website for more information.)

If you were receiving the maximum benefit of $450 per week in California, under the new expansion you would get an additional $600 of federal pandemic unemployment compensation, for a total of $1,050. States have the option of providing the entire amount in one payment, or sending the extra portion separately. But it must all be done on the same weekly basis.

Check out our unemployment relief FAQs to see how the CARES Act may help you out if you’re unemployed.

A. The CARES Act offers unemployment help to far more workers than are usually eligible for unemployment benefits, including self-employed people and part-time workers. The bottom line: Those who are unemployed, are partly unemployed or cannot work for a wide variety of coronavirus-related reasons will be more likely to receive benefits.

Check out our unemployment relief FAQs to see how the CARES Act may help you out if you’re unemployed.

A. Yes. Self-employed people are newly eligible for unemployment benefits. Benefit amounts will be calculated based on previous income, using a formula from the Disaster Unemployment Assistance program. Self-employed workers will also be eligible for the additional $600 weekly benefit provided by the federal government.

To find out an estimate of how much you would receive from the state of California if you were to receive unemployment benefits, use the state government’s estimation calculator. (If you live outside California, visit your state government’s unemployment website for more information.)

Check out our unemployment relief FAQs to see how the CARES Act may help you out if you’re unemployed.

A. Yes, part-time workers are eligible for the additional $600 weekly benefit from the CARES Act. However, the benefit amount and how long benefits will last depend on your state. To find out an estimate of how much you would receive from the state of California if you were to receive unemployment benefits, use the state government’s estimation calculator. (If you live outside California, visit your state government’s unemployment website for more information.)

Check out our unemployment relief FAQs to see how the CARES Act may help you out if you’re unemployed.

A. The CARES Act offers a lot of benefits for unemployment. Check out our unemployment relief FAQs to see how the CARES Act may help you out if you’re unemployed.

A. Your account access has not been impacted. You can continue to use our digital options including our Mobile App, online banking and our ATMs.

A. You can use our digital options including our Mobile App and online banking to see your balance and recent transactions, make payments, pay bills (including to Patelco and other billers), transfer money into or out of Patelco, send us a secure message, check your credit limit, deposit checks, or send money to someone else.

With your Patelco Mastercard^® credit and debit card you can conveniently make purchases right from your mobile phone. Simply add your card to your digital wallet and use at over one million US merchant locations that accept mobile payments. It’s safe, contactless, and an easy way to make purchases in-store, online or in apps.

At our Patelco-branded ATMs you can deposit checks, see your balance and recent transactions, make transfers, and pay your Patelco bills. At other ATMs, you can see your balance and withdraw cash. Some non-Patelco ATMs also allow you to make deposits – just select the Deposit ATM from the options at patelco.org/locations.

A. Yes, your money is safe and insured. Each Patelco account is covered by NCUA insurance up to $250,000, which is backed by the US government.

A. You can find our ATM locations on our website at patelco.org/locations. On our Mobile App, select Locations from the login screen or, if you are already logged in, select More in the lower right, then select OTHERS and then Locations.

A. At a Patelco-branded ATMs (which are located at our branches) you can check your balance, see recent transactions, withdraw cash, make deposits, and make transfers (including for Patelco loans). At over 30,000 shared branch ATMs that are not Patelco ATMs, you can still check your balance, make withdrawals, and deposit checks or cash. Find these ATMs by selecting Deposit ATM at patelco.org/locations.

A. Yes, our ATM network is still working. Visit patelco.org/locations to find the nearest ATM. Most Patelco-branded ATMs are at our branches.

A. The situation is fluid and can change daily, but our branches are open if you need to do business at a branch. For the latest information, visit patelco.org/news — any closures will be posted there. We encourage you to practice social distancing, to stay at home as much as possible, and to use our digital options. Our digital options include Patelco Online™ and our award-winning Mobile App.

A. Most transactions can be done digitally, by phone or at an ATM. The only transactions that can be done in-branch only and not by any other channel are:

• medallion signature guarantees
• cash withdrawals above daily ATM limits
• complimentary notarizing by Patelco
• certain estate, conservatorship, and representative payee transactions
• official checks or money orders payable to a 3rd party

The good news is that all other transactions can be done by phone, at an ATM or via our digital channels.

A. Our branches are open at 10am and close at 4pm on weekdays. At this time, all branches are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. For the latest information on our branches, visit patelco.org/news.

A. We’re adding markings to the floor in our branches to help visitors maintain appropriate social distance while waiting in line. There are a limited number of members allowed into a branch at one time. In addition, we’re doing extra sanitizing in our branches.

A. We’ve given our team members gloves to work with at this time, especially if they are handling cash. We’re also disinfecting our branches, and have reduced branch hours so our team is able to care for their families. We’ve also added extra cleaning each day to disinfect our branches.

A. Your cash is best left in your Patelco account. Each Patelco account is covered by NCUA insurance up to $250,000, which is backed by the US government.

A. The daily withdrawal limit is $5,000. This limit applies to combined withdrawals from branches and ATMs.

A. No. The limit has been implemented to benefit the entire membership’s needs. So you can withdraw up to $5,000 per day no matter what branch(es) or ATM(s) you visit.

A. Scammers can hack into social media accounts — so  it's possible that the "friend" you're talking to may not be your friend. In any case, you should never share your personal information with anyone — not with friends and not with strangers. Your personal information includes your online banking User ID and password, your card number, your Member Number and your Social Security number. No one needs to know your banking information, and they don't need to access your account.

We're aware of recent scams where members have given out their online banking User ID and password to a "friend" via Snapchat because the "friend" needed to deposit some money. If anyone approaches you on social media asking for your banking information, just say no.

A. Probably not. Scammers are calling and sending messages asking for personal information, promising they can get you a tax refund or stimulus check faster. Another common scam is asking you to deposit their stimulus check in exchange for you keeping part of their money. The check is most likely counterfeit —and any money sent to the fraudster will be lost.

Please remember no one from the IRS will reach out by phone, email, postal mail or in-person asking for any kind of information to complete your stimulus check. You should never deposit any check for someone else, especially in exchange for keeping part of the cash.

Also remember that fraudsters can spoof calls and texts from banks’ and credit unions’ 800 numbers, including our own. Patelco and legitimate organizations will never call, text or email you asking you to provide your Member Number, online banking credentials, card PIN, full card number or Social Security number. Protect yourself from malware and phishing attacks by not opening attachments from unfamiliar sources 

A.  If you're a homeowner facing foreclosure, please contact us so we can talk about your options. Homeowners facing foreclosure should be aware of common scams.

One common scam is deed-transferring to a third party. In this scam, scammers have told homeowners that by transferring the deed to their home to a third party, they will no longer be responsible for their mortgage payments. This is NOT true. Transferring a title does not relieve a borrower from their mortgage payments. Scam artists often ask for up-front fees to make the deed transfer and promise to rent the house back to the homeowner until the homeowner can afford to buy the house back. If you are facing foreclosure, investigate payment options with your mortgage servicer and do not sign your property away.

Another scam is when scammers urge homeowners to not pay their mortgage in order to get a loan modification. There is no automatic right to a loan modification, and the terms and standards for a loan modification are always determined by the mortgage loan servicer – no one else. If you are having difficulty making mortgage payments, you should contact your mortgage servicer directly or contact a HUD certified counselor (888.995.4673) for help.

Most banks, credit unions, and mortgage lenders and servicers have agreed to allow homeowners impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to delay or reduce their mortgage payments for up to three months. If we are your mortgage lender, contact us at 800.358.8228.

A. The government of California encourages consumers in need of cash to avoid advance fee scams in which fraudulent companies promise loans if a consumer pays a substantial up-front fee first. Do not pay anyone asking for up-front or advance fees for loan modification services or mortgage forbearance services. Contact the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) immediately at 877.373.4542 if you are asked to pay this kind of fee. Advance fees for loan modifications are not legal in California. In addition, collecting late fees is prohibited while a loan modification application is under review, a denial is being appealed, or a borrower is making timely payments.