If you are not unemployed, but you’re still struggling to make your mortgage payments, you may be eligible for the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP®). HAMP may lower your monthly mortgage payments in order to make them more affordable and sustainable for the long-term.
If you currently occupy your home as your primary residence, we encourage you to contact your mortgage servicer as soon as possible to begin the HAMP evaluation process.
In an effort to continue to provide meaningful solutions to the housing crisis, effective June 1, 2012, the Obama Administration expanded the population of homeowners that may be eligible for the Home Affordable Modification Program to include:
- Homeowners who are applying for a modification on a home that is not their primary residence, but the property is currently rented or the homeowner intends to rent it.
- Homeowners who previously did not qualify for HAMP because their debt-to-income ratio was 31% or lower.
- Homeowners who previously received a HAMP trial period plan, but defaulted in their trial payments.
- Homeowners who previously received a HAMP permanent modification, but defaulted in their payments, therefore losing good standing.
If you are a homeowner who falls into any of these criteria, you may be eligible for a modification under the expanded criteria. Please check with your mortgage servicer to see if you are eligible to begin the HAMP evaluation process.
+ Eligibility
You may be eligible for HAMP if you meet all of the following criteria: - You obtained your mortgage on or before January 1, 2009.
- You owe up to $729,750 on your primary residence or single unit rental property
- You owe up to $934,200 on a 2-unit rental property; $1,129,250 on a 3-unit rental property; or $1,403,400 on a 4-unit rental property
- The property has not been condemned
- You have a financial hardship and are either delinquent or in danger of falling behind on your mortgage payments (non-owner occupants must be delinquent in order to qualify).
- You have sufficient, documented income to support a modified payment.
- You must not have been convicted within the last 10 years of felony larceny, theft, fraud or forgery, money laundering or tax evasion, in connection with a mortgage or real estate transaction.
*Eligibility criteria are for guidance only. Contact your mortgage company to see if you may be eligible for HAMP.
Get more information on how to apply for a modification ›
+ Program Availability
Contact your mortgage servicer (the company to which you make your mortgage payments) to see if they participate in the program. Not all servicers do. If yours does not, they may offer their own foreclosure prevention solutions that might be best suited to your situation.
If your mortgage servicer does participate in the MHA Program but makes the determination that you are not eligible for a HAMP modification, they may offer you modification alternatives of their own.
Program enrollment ends December 31, 2013.
+ Steps to apply for a HAMP Modification
To apply for HAMP, you need to complete and provide the following to your
HAMP participating mortgage servicer.
If your mortgage is owned, insured, or guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA or USDA, ask your mortgage servicer which solutions might be best suited to your situation.
+ More Information
If you have additional questions about getting mortgage help, contact one of our housing experts at 888-995-HOPE (4673). These HUD-approved housing counselors will help you understand your options, design a plan to suit your individual situation, and prepare your application. Research shows that homeowners who work with housing experts like these are more successful and have better long-term outcomes. There is no cost to you for this valuable, around-the-clock service. Help is available in more than 160 languages.
If you qualify for HAMP and also have a second mortgage, you may also qualify for the Second Lien Modification Program (2MP).
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