What to do if you fall behind:

1. Your mortgage or rent payment should be your top priority in paying your bills each month.  Use unemployment compensation benefits, workers compensation benefits, spouse's income, savings, help from friends and family to pay your housing expenses first.
   
   
2. Contact your mortgage servicer if you fall behind.
   
   
   1. Keep all correspondence from your mortgage in one place and request current copies of paystubs, bank statements and tax returns from the previous 2 years.
      
      
   2. Write a hardship letter and collect all documentation of hardship
      
      
   3. Compile a family budget and have the figures on hand when you talk to people
      
      
3. Seek advice on repayment alternatives
   
   
   1. Many communities offer foreclosure prevention/mortgage default counseling
      
      
   2. Learn more about refinancing, temporary forbearance, loan modifications, extending your loan, short-term assistance loans, and possibly selling your home.
      
      
4. Cooperate with your mortgage servicer
   
   
   1. Be open, honest and realistic.  Your attitude about meeting your obligation can influence your loan servicer's decision to help you.  Understand it will take a combined effort to help solve your problem.
      
      
   2. If you do not understand what your servicer is telling you, ask them to explain it in a way you will understand or seek assistance from a nonprofit organization.
      
      

   BE WARY OF FORECLOSURE SCAMS!  Avoid paying any up-front fees to any organization claiming to negotiate your mortgage or debt.  Debt management groups do not provide you with any services you cannot do for yourself, for free.  Working with a nonprofit organization-preferably one with a 501(c)(3) status, can help provide you with an impartial and knowledgeable advocate during a highly distressful time.