Disaster forbearance lets homeowners pause or reduce mortgage payments after a hurricane, flood, wildfire, or similar event. It is meant to help a household stabilize without rushing into the foreclosure process. If your primary residence is damaged, your mortgage lender may allow a specified amount of time to focus on repairs and income recovery.
During forbearance your mortgage payments are paused or smaller. The missed payments are not forgiven, and you will need to repay the full amount later. A mortgage servicer may spread what you owe across future monthly mortgage payments, add the balance to the end of the mortgage loan, or use a short repayment plan. Ask for everything in a clear legal document so you know the fees, interest rate changes, and deadlines.
Disaster survivors can apply for FEMA assistance to cover emergency needs, temporary housing, personal property losses, or basic home repair. Start at DisasterAssistance.gov to apply and track eligibility. FEMA often coordinates with the Small Business Administration (SBA), which offers low-interest loans for homeowners and businesses after a presidentially declared disaster.
These programs fall under federal disaster assistance and are meant to help households cover immediate needs while planning long-term recovery. Remember to verify you're at a "dot gov" site when searching for assistance from FEMA or the SBA.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development sets rules that require help after major disasters. HUD funds housing counseling programs and outlines relief for FHA borrowers through the Department’s disaster resources. Find local help on HUD’s counselor search and review HUD disaster resources if you have an FHA loan.
Housing counselors are trained to explain choices, talk with your servicer, and assist homeowners who feel overwhelmed. A counselor can review your household budget, spot risk areas, and help you contact the lender before trouble grows. Credit.org provides HUD-certified support through Foreclosure Assistance Counseling.
If you have missed payments or worry about delinquency, foreclosure prevention counseling can help you avoid foreclosure. A counselor will map out programs, discuss loan modifications, and check whether you can keep your mortgage current while you recover.
Act fast. Contact your mortgage servicer, explain the disaster, and ask about relief. The CFPB’s overview of options is a good primer on how forbearance works and how to pay your mortgage again after relief ends; see the CFPB forbearance page. If your income is unstable, compare solutions first. Credit.org’s guide, Deferment or Forbearance: What’s the Difference?, explains how each choice affects repayment.
Early counseling can also prevent foreclosure proceedings from moving forward if you are already behind, giving you more time to explore repayment options.
Servicers offer programs that can lower payments while you rebuild. Depending on your loan type, you might qualify for a repayment plan, interest rate reduction, or a permanent loan modification. Ask how each program affects assets, credit, and future eligibility.
Common foreclosure prevention options include:
Insurance may cover part of the damage, but there are often gaps for repairs to property and personal property. The SBA’s disaster program can help with larger repairs, and local nonprofits often step in with labor or materials. Review contractor bids carefully and keep copies of every legal document you sign.
Recovery takes a plan. Ready.gov outlines step-by-step tasks for housing, money, and records. Credit.org’s article, Financial Counseling After a Natural Disaster: Where to Start?, offers practical steps for communities and renters as well as homeowners. For credit impacts, see Natural Disasters and Credit Reports: What You Need to Know, and for lending criteria, review SBA Disaster Loan Credit Score Requirements: What to Expect.
Ask your servicer for additional information in writing:
Getting clear answers now prevents surprises later and helps you determine the right plan.
Eligibility depends on loan type, where you live, and the kind of disaster. FHA, VA, and conventional loans may have different rules, and proof of the disaster may be required. A counselor can help you qualify for the right programs and make sure you remain eligible for further aid if income drops again.
When forbearance ends you must repay what you owe. Options include a repayment plan, a modification that lowers payments, or adding the balance to the end of the loan. Review every legal document, and if needed, seek legal services before signing. Keep records so you can show you stayed in contact and worked to keep the loan current.
If you are facing financial hardship after a disaster, do not wait. Contact your servicer, ask about programs, and schedule counseling. Credit.org’s Disaster Recovery Resources can guide you through forbearance, repayment, and long-term budgeting so you protect your home and recover faster.
