News - Month: October 2021
Month: October 2021
USTP Informational Notice of Emergency Rental Assistance Program
The widespread economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected both individuals and families who have fallen behind on rent, as well as landlords who rely on rental income to meet their own expenses. As federal and state eviction moratoria expire, millions of American households could face displacement from their homes in the coming months. This could potentially spur an increase in bankruptcy filings. Through funding from the Department of the Treasury’s Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program, there are a wide variety of state, territorial, tribal, and local government programs that have been tailored to address the special needs of communities during these difficult times. The U.S. Trustee Program (USTP) has partnered with the Treasury Department to help raise awareness about ERA in the hopes of helping individuals to avoid bankruptcy altogether or, at a minimum, better position debtors to exit bankruptcy successfully. To assist in this effort and ensure that debtors are informed about relief that may be available to them, the USTP has prepared the Informational Notice (Notice) on ERA programs that is posted on our website. The Notice provides an overview of ERA, along with links to learn about available options by state (and, in some cases, county), get answers to frequently asked questions, or find a HUD 11approved housing counselor, among other things. It is available in both English and
Corrective Docket to begin again
Timely receipt of a Debtor’s most recent Federal income tax return has been an ongoing issue for the Trustee’s office for a long time. In the past, when the Federal income tax return was not timely received by the Trustee’s office, the 341 exam would be adjourned to a “Corrective Docket” separate of the regular First Meeting docket. Because this issue continues to be problematic, the Trustee is reinstituting the “Corrective Docket”. Therefore, when this office does not receive the tax return at least 7 days prior to the 341 date, the 341 exam will not go forward. Rather, the 341 will be adjourned to a date set aside for these exams. If the tax return is still not provided at least 7 days prior to the corrective docket and the case is not funding, the Trustee will file a motion to dismiss. If the case is funding, the 341 will be adjourned one final time, to the next corrective docket. Subject to UST approval, the corrective docket dates will be September 1, October 6, November 3 and December