Mortgage Assistance Available In The Wake Of Hurricane Irma

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) –  Florida homeowners who may have trouble making their mortgage payments after Hurricane Irma could be eligible for a mortgage loan deferment.

Since Florida has been declared a federal disaster area, which means, by law you can get a forbearance payment on your mortgage.

That means your mortgage may be waived for a set amount of months at no credit implications to you.

Related: What You Need To Apply For FEMA's Housing Help

However, it's not automatic, you must reach out to your mortgage lender and apply for it and each lender may have a different set of rules so you need to call and ask.

In some cases, mortgage agencies will allow you to skip your next three payments and they'll be added to the end of the loan without any negative marks on your credit. Interest, however, would still accrue.

Related: How To Get Financial Help For A Business Or Home Damaged In Irma

In other cases, when the deferment period is over, missed payments become due either in a lump sum or according to a payment plan.

Again, double check with your lender.

Homeowners who suffer a financial setback, such as a job loss, as a direct result of a disaster also may be offered temporary mortgage relief, even if their home was spared. Documentation will likely be required to prove the hardship.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have both told loan servicers to extend a 90-day forbearance to anyone who calls and requests it.

Click here to find out more about their programs.

You can look up your loan agency here for Fannie and here for Freddie.

To talk with a Department of Housing and Urban Development-approved housing counselor before agreeing to forbearance, call 1-800-569-4287.

Here are some other links that may be helpful in learning more about forbearance mortgage relief in the wake of Hurricane Irma.

• Mortgage Assistance If Affected By Hurricane Irma
• Mortgage Relief For Hurricane Irma
• Hurricane Help
• FEMA
• FEMA Helpline: 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362)
• Disaster Assistance Website

Additionally, the IRS has announced that people who extended their 2016 income tax filings can submit their paperwork next year. It's not a payment extension but rather a filing extension.

Also, many credit card companies will offer a similar disaster forbearance upon request and banks are also offering breaks to those in Hurricane Irma's path.