Homeowner Assistance Navigator

USDA Guaranteed Loan Loss Mitigation

Mortgage hardship guidance focused on the actual servicer, loan program and next action—not foreclosure-rescue promises.

Start with servicer

USDA says it does not directly offer workout plans to Guaranteed Loan homeowners; contact the servicing lender.

Options

USDA identifies informal/special forbearance, modification, Special Loan Servicing and pre-foreclosure sale among potential tools.

Mortgage Recovery Advance

USDA's servicing handbook identifies MRA as a tool that can satisfy delinquency and bring an eligible borrower current.

Disposition

Pre-foreclosure sale and deed-in-lieu can be considered when retention is not sustainable after appropriate review.

Different program

USDA Direct Loan servicing is separate from this Guaranteed Loan guidance.

Action checklist

Call the servicer; identify the investor/agency; explain the hardship; ask what makes the application complete; save proof of every submission; open every letter; write down foreclosure and response deadlines; and contact a HUD-approved housing counselor. If a sale, lawsuit, bankruptcy issue or legal deadline exists, seek qualified state-specific legal help promptly.

Questions to ask the servicer

Who owns, insures or guarantees my loan? Which retention and disposition options are being reviewed? Is my application complete? What is missing? Is there a foreclosure sale date? Does review affect that date? If denied, what is the specific reason and is there an appeal or escalation path?

What not to do

Do not ignore mail because you are embarrassed or expect the problem to resolve itself. Do not send mortgage payments to a third-party rescue company. Do not sign over title without independent advice. Do not assume a pending modification automatically stops foreclosure. Do not intentionally create a delinquency because someone online said it is required. And do not wait for a sale date before asking the servicer what documents are needed.

Build a written record

Keep the mortgage statement, hardship explanation, income and expense documents, every assistance application, every upload or fax confirmation, representative names, dates and call notes, written offers/denials, and every foreclosure notice. If the file becomes disputed or time-sensitive, a clean record helps a housing counselor, servicer escalation team or attorney understand what happened.

MortgageDadOf3 rule: Never promise a modification, payment reduction, principal reduction or foreclosure stop. Get the homeowner to the servicer and legitimate official help early.