The Mortgage Relief for Disaster Survivors Act: Explained

Overview: Mortgage Relief for Disaster Survivors Act

The Mortgage Relief for Disaster Survivors Act would give homeowners and property owners with certain Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac backed mortgages a clear path to request mortgage forbearance after a declared disaster damages the property.

The bill sets a required timeline for forbearance, including an initial period and a one-time extension, and it limits added charges during the forbearance so your balance does not grow from extra fees or penalties tied to pausing payments.

H.R. 2928 was introduced in the 119th Congress. Note that bills often change on their way to becoming law, so this page will update as new details emerge. For real-time updates, subscribe to our newsletter.

What Is the Mortgage Relief for Disaster Survivors Act?

The Mortgage Relief for Disaster Survivors Act is a proposal that requires mortgage servicers to offer forbearance when a home securing a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac backed mortgage is damaged in a declared disaster.

Forbearance is a temporary pause or reduction of mortgage payments. Under this bill, the focus is on creating a consistent, predictable forbearance option tied to a disaster declaration and documented property damage.

Who Qualifies For The Mortgage Relief for Disaster Survivors Act?

Eligibility under the Mortgage Relief for Disaster Survivors Act is based on the loan type, the property type, and the disaster event.

You may qualify when all of the following are true:

• Your mortgage is backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac
• The home is damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster
• You submit a written request to your mortgage servicer with documentation showing verifiable damage or destruction
• The request is made during the disaster declaration period, starting on the declaration date and ending when the declaration period ends

The bill covers several common property types, including:

• One-to-four unit homes
• Condominiums and cooperatives
• Multifamily properties with five or more units

These rules are meant to make forbearance available across a wide range of housing situations after a declared disaster.

How The Mortgage Relief for Disaster Survivors Act Works

The Mortgage Relief for Disaster Survivors Act sets a step-by-step structure for requesting forbearance and how long it lasts.

Requesting Forbearance

To start forbearance, you submit:

• A written request to your mortgage servicer
• Documentation that shows verifiable damage or destruction

Once you submit an eligible request, the servicer must grant the forbearance period described in the bill.

Forbearance Length And Extensions

The bill creates a two-part timeline:

• The servicer must grant one hundred eighty days of forbearance
• You can extend forbearance one time for up to an additional one hundred eighty days

That creates a maximum forbearance period of up to three hundred sixty days. The bill also says the servicer must grant the initial one hundred eighty days even when your loan is already delinquent.

Ending Forbearance Early

You do not have to use the full forbearance period. The bill says you may end forbearance early at any time, which can be helpful when repairs are complete and you want to restart regular payments sooner.

Fees, Penalties, And Interest During Forbearance

During forbearance, the bill limits added charges. It says no extra fees, penalties, or interest accrue beyond what you would owe if payments were made on time.

That rule is designed to keep the forbearance from increasing your costs simply because you used the option during a disaster period.

When The Rule Applies

The forbearance option applies only during the disaster declaration period. In other words, the bill ties eligibility to the window that starts on the date of the disaster declaration and ends when the declaration period ends.

Who Sponsors the Mortgage Relief for Disaster Survivors Act?

The Mortgage Relief for Disaster Survivors Act is introduced as H.R. 2928 in the House. Sponsor and cosponsor details can change as the bill moves through Congress. For the latest legislative updates and cosponsors, see the Bill Tracker above.