The Flex Modification Program From Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

If you’re struggling to make your monthly mortgage payment and you have a conventional loan, you may be eligible for the Flex Modification program.

A loan modification changes the terms of your current home loan to make the monthly mortgage payments more affordable. The Flex Modification program is available to homeowners whose mortgages are owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

Here’s a closer look at how Flex Modifications work and who’s eligible for one.

» MORE: What to do if you're having trouble paying your mortgage

What is the Flex Modification program?

Created under the direction of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Flex Modification is intended as a long-term foreclosure prevention solution. A loan modification reduces your monthly principal and interest payments by extending the loan term or reducing the principal balance or interest rate.

A modified loan benefits both lenders and borrowers: For the lender, it's usually less expensive and time-consuming than a foreclosure. The borrower, of course, gets to stay in their home.

It's called Flex Modification because the program offers lenders greater flexibility in evaluating borrowers compared with previous loan modification programs. Lenders may consider how many days delinquent borrowers are and the value of their home.

With a Flex Modification, eligible borrowers may be able to reduce monthly mortgage payments by up to 20%. This reduction is accomplished in a variety of ways, depending on your circumstances. Any missed payments are rolled into the outstanding principal owed; in cases of extreme hardship, part of the principal may be placed in forbearance so that you're paying against a smaller loan amount. The mortgage's term may be extended for up to 40 years, and your servicer may change the interest rate as well.

Am I eligible for the Flex Modification program?

In order to get a Flex Modification, your mortgage must be owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, either in part or in whole.

Loans from the Federal Housing Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Agriculture — known as FHA, VA and USDA loans — do not qualify for the Flex Modification, but loan modification options are available from those government agencies.

Here are some of the qualifications you'll need to meet for a Flex Modification:

• Your mortgage must be at least 1 year old.

• You must have a first-lien mortgage, meaning your mortgage company is first in line to be repaid if you default and the home is sold.

• If your loan is current or fewer than 60 days past due, the mortgage must be for your primary residence. If your loan is 60 days or more past due, it can be for a second home or investment property. The property may also be vacant or condemned.

• You may still qualify if your loan is current or less than 60 days past due but your lender has determined the loan is in “imminent default,” meaning they believe you can no longer afford your monthly payments.

How do I apply for a Flex Modification?

Your lender or mortgage servicer is supposed to reach out to you if you are more than 36 days delinquent on your home loan, but if you are concerned that you'll soon become delinquent or you are exiting forbearance and know you can't resume payments, reach out to your lender.

Your mortgage servicer will provide the paperwork you need to be evaluated for a Flex Modification. This is called the Borrower Response Package, which includes:

• A signed and completed Borrower Assistance Form (Form 710).

• A signed and completed Request for Copy of Tax Return IRS form (Form 4506).

• Proof of a financial hardship, such as a job loss, divorce, death or illness.

• Proof of income, which varies depending on your employment status. Note that funds received from unemployment benefits are not counted as income, though other forms of government assistance (like Social Security benefits) are.

If you are not currently behind on your mortgage, you may need to provide documentation that shows that you face imminent default — in other words, that even though you're able to pay the loan now, within the next 60 days you will no longer be able to do so.

Streamlined Flex Modifications

If you’re more than 90 days behind on your mortgage, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac consider your loan to be at severe risk of foreclosure. That’s the end result Flex Modification aims to avoid.

In those instances, there’s a streamlined version of Flex Modification that doesn't require the Borrower Response Package. The goal of the program is also a 20% payment reduction.

No matter your situation, contacting your mortgage servicer is step one. Once you have explained your circumstances, it can help you understand your options. You can also find more general information on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau website.