Help after a natural disaster
Disasters can have a significant impact on your home and your finances. Taking these steps can help you get back on your feet.
If you’ve been impacted by a disaster — even if you live and work outside of an eligible FEMA disaster area — call your mortgage servicer for help right away.
3 Steps to Help You Recover from a Disaster
In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, your top priority should be to ensure your family’s safety. Once you and your loved ones are safe and accounted for, you can begin to assess the damage and start thinking about how to move forward.
Contact Your Insurer
If your home has been affected by a disaster, one of your first calls should be to your homeowners insurer. Your insurer will help you assess the condition of your property and reimburse the costs to repair or replace any damages.
The insurance company may send an adjuster to investigate your claim and determine how much they will pay. You may consider having a contractor assess the damage and develop a repair plan, but avoid making any costly repairs until the insurance adjuster confirms what will be reimbursed by the insurance company.
Many insurance policies also include additional living expenses insurance, which covers the cost of temporary housing, food, pet boarding and other household expenses if you and your family are displaced. When you speak with your insurer, ask questions to gather as much information as possible about your policy’s coverage.
Making an Insurance Claim Following a Natural Disaster
Learn more about what to expect as you work with your insurance provider to assess damage and make repairs.
Learn More about Insurance Claim Following a Natural Disaster
Contact Your Mortgage Servicer
It is critical to contact your mortgage servicer as soon as possible to let them know about your current circumstances. Your mortgage servicer is the company you make your monthly mortgage payments to, and their contact information should be listed on your monthly mortgage statement.
Your servicer can help you understand the mortgage relief options available to you.
Understanding Mortgage Forbearance
Forbearance allows you to make reduced payments or pause your mortgage payments for a specified period of time. During forbearance, your servicer will not assess any penalties for late or missed payments.
Know Your Options for Repayment
Plan ahead for when your normal mortgage payments resume. Your servicer will be in touch within 30 days of the end of your forbearance period to help you explore repayment options. Options vary depending on your circumstances, but they may include a payment deferral, repayment plan, partial or full reinstatement, loan modification, or refinancing.
Keep an open line of communication with your mortgage servicer to make it easier to navigate your options and better understand what is available to you.
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Tools and Resources
Disaster Relief and Mortgage Assistance FAQ
Get answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about disaster relief and mortgage assistance programs.
Loan Lookup Tool
To understand the options available for getting help with your mortgage, see if Freddie Mac owns your Loan.
Common Scams After a Disaster and How to Avoid Them
You can help avoid becoming a victim of a disaster-related scam by being aware of some common schemes.