dovercares

The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic is an unprecedented health crisis that has disrupted our local, national and worldwide economy. This disruption is creating significant financial hardships and potentially lasting economic impacts that affect Dover residents, businesses and nonprofits. To assist in overcoming the financial and emotional challenges many are experiencing now and in the weeks and months ahead, a number of programs and services are already in place or being implemented by the City of Dover. These measures are being coordinated with federal, state and private efforts, and provide economic support and financial relief to all residents, businesses and nonprofits affected by the COVID-19 crisis and in need of assistance.

Dover CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) is a comprehensive and continually updated list of programs, services and assistance available to the community during these difficult times.

Important Numbers

For questions and concerns about the COVID-19 coronavirus, call the state's hotline at 2-1-1.

Wentworth-Douglass Hospital's COVID-19 Community Hotline serves as a nursing triage phone line for those with symptoms of COVID-19 or have general COVID-19 questions. The line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The COVID-19 Community Hotline is (603) 609-6000.

How Do I Find Help For:

PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

Financial Hardship

All property owners with demonstrated financial hardship are eligible to apply for reductions on their tax bills. This also includes waivers of past due interest charges accrued during the COVID-19 emergency. For more information, contact the Assessor's Office at 516-6014.

Low and Moderate Income Homeowners

Homeowners with income less than $20,000 per year ($40,000 married or head of household) are eligible to apply for a rebate on their taxes. Through this program, the State of New Hampshire's Department of Revenue Administration allows residents of low to moderate income to apply for a reduction to the state portion of the education property tax, which is provided as a property tax rebate. For more information, or to apply, visit https://www.revenue.nh.gov/forms/low-moderate.htm. The filing period is May 1 to June 30.

Extended Property Tax Payment Plans

All property owners with demonstrated financial hardship are eligible to establish pay plans for tax bills to be completed over an extended period. For more information, contact the Tax Collector's Office at 516-6018.

Existing Exemptions and Credits

All homeowners meeting certain criteria are eligible to receive partial exemptions and/or credits on their tax bills. Exemptions and credits are available for the elderly, blind, deaf, disabled and all veterans. For more information, contact the Tax Assessment Office at 516-6014 or visit https://www.dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/finance/tax-assessment/index.html.
The City of Dover will receive state and federal grants being distributed to local communities in conjunction with the federal Coronavirus Relief Act (CARES Act). These funds will provide reimbursement and offset budgeted expenses related to the municipality’s response to COVID-19 crisis. To the extent allowed by grant requirements, these funds will be utilized to directly offset the burden of local property taxes in current and future budgets for all property owners.

HOUSING AND FOOD ASSISTANCE

Housing Assistance

All residents in Dover at immediate risk of losing housing, including those requiring help with rent and/or mortgage payments, are eligible to apply for public assistance. To find out what assistance is available, contact the Public Welfare Department at 516-6500, by email at s.gaston@dover.nh.gov or by visiting bit.ly/doverwelfare.
Additional assistance for residential tenants unable to pay rent is available by contacting Community Action Partnership of Strafford County at cap@straffordcap.org or visiting straffordcap.org.

Food & Household Commodities

All residents in Dover in need of food or other household essentials and otherwise financially unable to adequately sustain themselves will be eligible to apply for access vouchers and/or local food bank supplies which may include referrals to private charitable organizations. To find out what assistance is available, contact the Public Welfare Department at 516-6500.
Dover's public schools provide free meals to all students at scheduled drop-off locations three days a week. The food delivery program provides two meals to students for each day, as well as breakfast on Saturday. Participants receive a lunch for the day and breakfast for the following day. Students in all grade levels, regardless of whether they are qualified for free or reduced meals, can participate. For more information, visit https://www.dover.k12.nh.us/.
The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension's Food Access Map shows where in Dover free or low-cost food is offered, volunteers are needed and donations are accepted. The map can be found at https://extension.unh.edu/resource/new-hampshire-food-access-map.
Community Action Partnership of Strafford County helps provide food to all families and individuals in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. For a list of food plans, food pantries and meals to go, visit https://straffordcap.org/covid-19-meals/.

Homeless Services

Local homeless are able to receive shelter, food and medical care through existing public assistance programs and services provided by religious and private charitable organizations. Shower and laundry facilities are also available and can be accessed by referrals provided through Public Welfare and Community Action program offices.

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

Businesses seeking assistance are encouraged to contact the Office of Economic Development at 516-6043.
Additional information about relief from the effects of COVID-19 on local businesses can be found at the State of New Hampshire's COVID-19 web page at https://www.nh.gov/covid19/, the CDC's COVID-19 page for businesses and employers at https://go.usa.gov/xdeVN, and the state's Department of Business and Economic Affairs page at https://www.nheconomy.com/covid19.
The State of New Hampshire offers a number of services for employees who have been laid off. New Hampshire Employment Security has a list of available services at www.nhes.nh.gov. Individuals will need to file for unemployment each week of temporary unemployment and this can and should be done online or by calling 603-271-7700.
The Paycheck Protection Program, created as part of the CARES Act relief bill signed into law March 27, ensures that small businesses can continue to pay employees and cover certain costs during the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 coronavirus. The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. The Small Business Administration will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. After the program's funds were depleted in two weeks, a new federal stimulus package this week infused an additional $320 billion into the program. Businesses interested in the program are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. All businesses - including nonprofits, veterans organizations, sole proprietorships, self-employed individuals, and independent contractors - with 500 or fewer employees may apply. Loans of up to $10 million can be used to cover payroll, paid sick leave for which you are not receiving a tax credit under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, insurance premiums, rent, utilities, and mortgage interest payments. If you retain your full staff and payroll, and use the loan proceeds on payroll and other eligible expenses, all of your loan will be 100 percent forgiven. A number of local lenders in Dover are now available to process loan applications. For a list of lenders eligible to accept Paycheck Protection Program applications, visit https://www.sba.gov/paycheckprotection/find/?address=03820. The program is open until June 30, 2020.
The majority of business tenants are eligible for financial relief through the Federal CARES Act. Business tenants should immediately contact their local lenders to access funds for expenses such as lease payments at www.SBA.gov/paycheckprotection/find.

City offers no-interest business assistance loans

The City of Dover's Business Assistance Program is now offering zero-interest loans of $5,000 to local businesses affected by the COVID-19 coronavirus emergency. The bridge loan is intended to provide working capital to assist businesses with expenses such as payroll, leases or inventory, while awaiting federal CARES Act funding or funds from other federal relief programs.

In addition to zero interest, the 30-month loans require minimal documentation to help expedite the approval process. Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. each Thursday for review by the Business Assistance Program Loan Committee. The committee, which consists of the City Manager, Assistant City Manager and Finance Director, will review applications each week. A written decision will be emailed to the applicant by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays.

For an application and to review program details, contact Community Planner Dave Carpenter at 516-6008 or by email at d.carpenter@dover.nh.gov.

Who is eligible?

For-profit corporations
Partnerships
Sole Proprietorships

Eligible businesses must be current on all local, state and federal taxes, as well as local fees, or arrange to pay these in full prior to a loan being granted. Businesses must also have been in operation prior to Feb. 15, 2020.

More complex loans may be referred to the Economic Loan Program Board.

If approved, the funds cannot be used for a purpose/activity for which the business and/or business ownership has received assistance, or will receive assistance, through efforts such as the CARES Act, similar COVID crisis-based efforts or other economic stimulus-based programs.

What are the required documents?

Completed Loan Application
Competed W-9
Previous year's Tax Return (Individual / Business)
Balance Sheet (2019 and 2020 YTD)
Income Statement (2019 and 2020 YTD)

For additional information, contact Dave Carpenter at 516-6008 or d.carpenter@dover.nh.gov.

Additional resources are available at the City of Dover's "Supporting Businesses Through COVID-19" page here: www.dover.nh.gov/business-in-dover/dover-businesses-and-services/covid19/index.html.

WATER AND SEWER UTILITIES

Extended Payment Plans

All utility customers with demonstrated financial hardship are eligible to establish payment plans for utility bills to be completed over an extended period. For more information, contact the Water and Sewer Billing Office at 516-6028.

Non-Payment Shutoffs Deferred

All utility customers subject to shutoff due to non-payment will have shutoffs deferred during the COVID-19 declared emergency and while complying with an approved extended payment plan. For more information, contact the Water and Sewer Billing Office at 516-6028.

RECREATION