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Mortgage Relief Options for Military Service Members

As a military service member, you've made countless sacrifices for your country. If you find yourself in a difficult situation when it comes to paying your mortgage, there are options and services available to help you.

Mortgage hardship for military service members may be an option if:

  • You’ve received Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders.
  • You’re currently on active duty — or just left the service.
  • Your mortgage loan was originated prior to your active duty.

There are still options available to you stay in your home, or leave while avoiding foreclosure

Talk to a housing counselor at no cost to you

A HUD-approved housing counselor can help you prepare for a call with your mortgage servicer and learn more about which assistance options are best for you.  

Call 1-855-HERE2HELP (855-437-3243)

Learn more

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What options are available?

There are options that can help you stay in your home or leave while avoiding foreclosure.

Protection through SCRA

In addition to having a six percent interest rate cap, military service members are also protected from foreclosure by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).

If you took out a mortgage before entering active-duty service, you cannot be foreclosed upon without a court order while you are on active duty and for the 12-month period after leaving active duty.

Military home refinancing

When you refinance, you receive a completely new mortgage with new terms, interest rates, and monthly payments. A military home refinance will replace your current mortgage and may lower your monthly payment, which could help improve your financial situation. As a service member, you can explore your eligibility for special VA loans that may provide better terms.

Even if one of these military options isn’t right for your situation, there are still options available.

To learn more about these options, contact a housing counselor or your mortgage servicer – the company that takes your mortgage payments.

Is one of these options right for you?

Refinance—Replace current mortgage with a new loan with new terms

Forbearance—Temporarily reduce or suspend monthly payments

Reinstatement—Pay the total missed amount all at once

Repayment plan—Pay past-due amounts over multiple months

Payment deferral—Delay past-due amounts to end of loan term

Loan modification—Change the terms of your existing loan

Learn more

Mortgage Assistance Options Icon

Is one of these options right for you?

Sale with equity: Sell home, pay off mortgage, and keep leftover amount

Short sale: Sell home for less than remaining mortgage balance

Mortgage Release™: Transfer ownership and all financial responsibility

Learn more

Mortgage Assistance Options Icon

Is one of these options right for you?

Refinance—Replace current mortgage with a new loan with new terms

Forbearance—Temporarily reduce or suspend monthly payments

Reinstatement—Pay the total missed amount all at once

Repayment plan—Pay past-due amounts over multiple months

Payment deferral—Delay past-due amounts to end of loan term

Loan modification—Change the terms of your existing loan

Learn more

Mortgage Assistance Options Icon

Is one of these options right for you?

Sale with equity: Sell home, pay off mortgage, and keep leftover amount

Short sale: Sell home for less than remaining mortgage balance

Mortgage Release™: Transfer ownership and all financial responsibility

Learn more

Mortgage Assistance Options Icon

Additional resources for military service members

As a military service member, you have access to an array of services that can help guide you through your mortgage hardship options.

More to explore