When major policy shifts happen, your personal finances can feel the ripple effects—especially if you’re juggling student loans, worried about housing stability, or relying on unemployment support. We know navigating these changes can feel overwhelming, so we’ve broken down what you need to know about three key areas and how you can respond to protect your financial health.

Housing & Eviction Protection: Know Your Options

Here’s the reality: there’s currently no sweeping federal eviction moratorium in place right now. Previous protections that covered federally-backed rentals and mortgages expired, and recent executive actions haven’t created a new blanket protection.

What this means for you:

The silver lining? New protections may still be coming as federal agencies explore additional support. But in the meantime, you need to be proactive:

• Check your state’s rules. Many states have their own eviction protections or restrictions—don’t assume federal inaction means you have zero protection
• Reach out for help. Legal aid organizations and tenant advocacy groups can guide you on your rights and options
• Stay informed. Keep tabs on communications from your landlord and local housing authorities

If you’re at risk of eviction, this is the time to explore every avenue available and connect with local resources who understand your state’s specific protections.

Student Loans: Your Payment Options

Here’s the good news for federal student loan borrowers: payment pauses and zero percent interest rates have been extended. This gives you breathing room, but what you do with it matters.

Federal vs. Private—Know the Difference

Only federal student loans get these protections. If you have private student loans, you’ll need to keep making payments as agreed with your lender. Check your loan documents if you’re unsure which type you have.

Three strategies to consider:

1. You’re in a strong position financially? Keep paying aggressively. Lower interest accumulation now means thousands saved over the life of your loan.

2. You’re stretched thin right now? Use this pause as a breather. Let your payments stay paused and focus your energy on stabilizing your immediate budget.

3. You’re somewhere in between? This is where it gets strategic. You can continue making voluntary payments if you want, or redirect that money to higher-interest debt (like credit cards). The choice is yours—Piere can help you figure out which move gets you ahead faster.

Pro tip: Don’t assume your servicer will automatically pause your payments. Monitor your statements and any communications to confirm the pause is applied. You won’t need to contact them, but you should verify it’s happening.

Unemployment Benefits: Plan Ahead

Changes to unemployment benefit programs can shift your financial picture significantly. If you’re relying on these benefits, the key is understanding what’s available to you right now and planning for when that support changes.

What you should do:

• Understand what you’re currently receiving and how long those benefits are available
• Don’t spend assuming it’s permanent. Treat supplemental benefits as temporary support, not baseline income
• Build a small buffer if you can. Even $200-500 set aside can help cushion the transition when benefits end
• Revisit your budget regularly. As programs evolve, your financial plan may need to adjust too

Your Next Move

Policy changes create uncertainty, but uncertainty doesn’t have to mean panic. Whether it’s your student loans, housing situation, or unemployment benefits, the move is the same: get informed, make intentional choices, and plan ahead.

Your financial stability matters, and you deserve clear information and tools to navigate these shifts. That’s what we’re here for at Piere—to help your money work with you, not against you, no matter what’s changing in the broader economy.