DCA Posts Mortgage Forbearance Application for Eligible Sandy-Impacted Homeowners

TRENTON — The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) on March 31, 2017 posted a mortgage forbearance application to assist homeowners affected by Superstorm Sandy who continue to be adversely impacted by the storm’s destruction.
DCA mailed a notification to Sandy-impacted homeowners who may be eligible for mortgage forbearance that they can apply online from March 31, 2017, to May 31, 2017. The letter listed three criteria homeowners must meet to be considered for assistance:
• Have an outstanding mortgage obligation on the Sandy-impacted home;
• Have construction or elevation work that remains to be done on the applicant’s primary residence, which is the result of damage sustained in Superstorm Sandy; and
• Qualify as a Sandy-impacted homeowner (received FEMA rental assistance or were approved for assistance from the RREM or LMI programs).
DCA also notified mortgage lenders doing business in New Jersey of the availability of the application.
DCA posted the application and instructions for completing and submitting it on its website at www.nj.gov/dca/. The application period begins at 9 a.m. March 31, 2017 and ends at 5 p.m. on May 31, 2017.
Mortgage forbearance does not reduce the amount of a mortgage. It provides a period of time during which mortgage payments are suspended. At the conclusion of the forbearance period, homeowners must return to making mortgage payments. During the forbearance period, homeowners must pay property taxes and insurance on their home, as well as maintain their property.
DCA has arranged for NJ211 (dial 2-1-1) to operate a help desk to answer questions about the application. Call specialists will be available until June 7, 2017. NJ 211 is available 24/7. Calls are free, confidential and multilingual.