Are there any special programs offering foreclosure help for military service members?  USA Cares provides financial and advocacy assistance to post 9/11 active duty US military service personnel, veterans and their families.  They provide assistance in critical areas not covered by government programs. The intent of the assistance program is to help military personnel avoid foreclosure.  The financial hardship must be due primarily to their recent military service.  They assist all branches, all ranks and components and treat all with privacy and dignity in appreciation for their service and sacrifice.

The first step for the military service member (or family member) facing foreclosure is to contact USA Cares and open a case.  The member is then referred to a Home Preservation-approved housing counselor who develops a household budget to determine whether the home is affordable in the long term.  The counselor will review the entire case, including SCRA (Service members Civil Relief Act) benefits and other military rights that may have been overlooked by the lender or homeowner.   USA Cares will use the following key criteria to determine eligibility for assistance:

1.     At least one immediate family member must have served post 9-11.

2.     At the start of the military service family finances were stable (mortgage, and other basics were no more than one month behind) and the home was affordable.

3.     A decrease in household income and/or increase in expenses happened because of the military service, causing the mortgage to be at risk.

Assistance payments made by USA Cares will be made directly to the lender on behalf of the homeowner and will result in either the loan being reinstated to current status or the loan being placed on a long-term affordable repayment plan or loan modification with the lender.  Maximum lifetime gift per family is $7500 (exceptions can sometimes be made).  The service is free.  USA Cares never charge fees nor accept repayment.  They rely on donations from private citizens, businesses and foundations for all funding.   If you are a military service member or an immediate family member facing foreclosure, please click here for additional information or to open a case.