7 Best Mortgage Hardship Letter Samples

The 7 Best Mortgage Hardship Letter Samples

Each sample is concise, decision-ready, and mapped to common servicer options. Replace bracketed fields and attach the proof listed.

1) Job Loss (now re-employed) — Request: Payment Deferral

Subject: Mortgage Hardship Request — Job Loss (Deferral)
Dear [Servicer Name] Loss-Mitigation Team,

I’m requesting a payment deferral after a temporary job loss. I was laid off on [date], missed the [month(s)] payment(s), and started a new job on [date]. My income has resumed, and I can make the regular payment on [next due date]. Deferring the missed amount to the end of the loan will bring the account current without creating a lump-sum I cannot afford today.

Snapshot: net monthly income $[X]; essential expenses $[Y]; arrears $[Z].
Attached: separation letter, last 2 pay stubs from new job, bank statements.
Please review for a streamlined deferral or the equivalent solution available for my loan type. I’m available at [phone] to verify details.

Thank you for your consideration,
[Borrower(s) Name] — Loan #[####], [Property Address]

(Why this works: payment deferral is designed for cured, short-term hardships, and agencies allow streamlined evaluations in many cases.) Fannie Mae Servicing Guide

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2) Reduced Hours — Request: Short Forbearance → Repayment Plan

Subject: Mortgage Hardship Request — Reduced Hours (Forbearance & Repayment Plan)
Dear [Servicer Name],

Due to reduced hours starting [date], my gross income fell from $[X] to $[Y]. My employer has confirmed hours should return by [estimated date]. I’m requesting a 90-day forbearance with a 3–6 month repayment plan to resolve the paused installments once my full income returns. I can make a good-faith payment of $[amount] during forbearance.

Snapshot: current income $[X]; expenses $[Y]; arrears projected $[Z].
Attached: employer letter showing reduced schedule; last 2 pay stubs; bank statements.

Sincerely,
[Name], Loan #[####]

(Why this works: forbearance temporarily pauses or reduces payments; repayment plans catch up afterward.) Consumer Financial Protection Bureau+1

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3) Medical Hardship — Request: Loan Modification

Subject: Mortgage Hardship Request — Medical Treatment (Loan Modification)
Dear [Servicer Name],

Since [date], ongoing medical treatment has reduced my ability to work, and income has dropped by [percentage] with higher medical expenses. Because the hardship is longer-term, I’m requesting a loan modification that targets an affordable payment. I can consistently afford $[amount]/mo based on the attached budget.

Snapshot: net income $[X]; essential expenses $[Y]; current P&I $[current]; affordable P&I $[target].
Attached: physician letter with treatment timeline, medical bills/EOBs, 2 months bank statements, pay stubs.

Please evaluate me for an available modification program for my loan type.

Respectfully,
[Name], Loan #[####]

(Why this works: modifications are designed to reduce monthly payment for sustained income loss; FHA and GSEs maintain updated mod waterfalls.) HUDConsumer Financial Protection Bureau

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4) Disaster Impact (Storm Damage) — Request: Disaster Payment Deferral

Subject: Mortgage Hardship Request — Disaster Impact (Deferral)
Dear [Servicer Name],

A severe storm on [date] damaged my home (photos attached), causing unexpected costs and temporary work interruptions. I’m requesting a disaster payment deferral (or equivalent) so I can complete repairs and stabilize income without falling further behind. Insurance and FEMA claims are in process; contractor estimate attached.

Snapshot: income $[X]; essential expenses $[Y]; repair estimate $[Z].
Attached: FEMA registration/claim, insurer claim number, contractor estimate, photos.

Thank you for your help,
[Name], Loan #[####]

(Why this works: Fannie Mae permits disaster-related deferrals for eligible borrowers; servicers follow defined completion steps.) Fannie Mae Servicing Guide

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5) Divorce / Separation — Request: Repayment Plan, Then Modification (if needed)

Subject: Mortgage Hardship Request — Divorce / Separation (Repayment Plan)
Dear [Servicer Name],

My household split on [date], leaving me with a single income and transition expenses. I can resume full payments now and propose a 6-month repayment plan of $[amount] above my regular payment to cure $[arrears]. If the payment remains unaffordable after the plan, I wish to be considered for a modification.

Snapshot: net income $[X]; essential expenses $[Y]; arrears $[Z].
Attached: temporary orders/settlement schedule, pay stubs, bank statements.

Please advise on next steps and any additional documentation required.

Sincerely,
[Name], Loan #[####]

(Why this works: repayment plans are appropriate when income supports catching up quickly; mods can stabilize if affordability remains tight.) Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

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6) Small-Business Downturn — Request: Short Forbearance → 40-Year Mod (if needed)

Subject: Mortgage Hardship Request — Small-Business Downturn
Dear [Servicer Name],

My business revenue dropped [percentage] beginning [date] due to [cause]. I request a 90-day forbearance while revenue normalizes. If income remains lower, please evaluate me for a 30- or 40-year modification option so the payment fits my revised budget.

Snapshot: average monthly revenue $[X] (prior), $[Y] (current); expenses $[Z].
Attached: YTD P&L, prior tax return, 3 months business bank statements.

Thank you,
[Name], Loan #[####]

(Why this works: FHA’s updated waterfall allows 30- or 40-year mods in appropriate cases; agencies seek targeted payment reductions.) HUD

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7) Escrow Spike / ARM Reset — Request: Repayment Plan or Payment Deferral

Subject: Mortgage Hardship Request — Escrow/Rate Increase
Dear [Servicer Name],

My payment increased by $[delta] in [month] due to [tax/insurance/ARM adjustment]. This created a shortfall. I can afford the original payment plus $[cure amount] to resolve the shortage through a repayment plan. If eligible, I’m also requesting consideration for a payment deferral of the shortage to stabilize my budget.

Snapshot: income $[X]; expenses $[Y]; escrow shortage $[Z].
Attached: servicer escrow analysis or rate-adjustment notice, tax/insurance bills.

Sincerely,
[Name], Loan #[####]

(Why this works: repayment plans or deferrals resolve sudden, one-time increases while keeping borrowers current.) Consumer Financial Protection BureauFannie Mae Servicing Guide

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“Decision-Ready” Checklist (print this with your letter)

• Contact info & loan number at top

• Hardship cause, start date, and whether it’s temporary or ongoing

• Current income and bare-bones budget

• Specific request (deferral, forbearance, plan, or modification)

• Proof (match to the table above)

• Signatures of all borrowers + best phone/email

• Keep copies; send via your servicer portal or certified mail when appropriate (tracking helps).

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Stats & context you can cite in your letter

• 3.93% seasonally adjusted delinquency rate (Q2 2025); 30-day: 2.10%, 60-day: 0.72%, 90+-day: 1.11%. Early action keeps you out of the serious bucket. MBA

• Forbearance pauses or reduces payments; you still owe what’s deferred. Ask how the missed amount will be repaid (lump sum, plan, mod, or deferral). Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

• Payment deferral can be offered by servicers without a complete borrower package in some cases—making a clean, straightforward letter even more effective. Fannie Mae Servicing Guide

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Real-World Example (how a short letter unlocked a quick “yes”)

A teacher in Ohio missed two payments after a temporary medical leave. She wrote a ¾-page letter, attached her leave paperwork and two new pay stubs, and requested a payment deferral with immediate resumption of the regular payment. The servicer approved the deferral within two weeks of receiving a complete packet. (Your results will vary, but the structure above mirrors how servicers triage files.)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a long letter?
No—keep it under a page and let your attachments do the heavy lifting.

What if my hardship is ongoing?
Ask for a loan modification (agencies and FHA maintain updated waterfalls to target payment reductions). HUD

What if I’m in (or exiting) forbearance?
Write to confirm the post-forbearance option you can afford (repayment plan, deferral, or modification). The CFPB recommends understanding your exit path before the pause ends. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Should I use the servicer’s form?
Often yes. Many use Form 710 / Uniform Borrower Assistance Form, which lists hardship reasons and required docs—your letter complements the form. Freddie Mac GuideFHFA.gov

Is help available?
Free HUD-approved housing counselors can help you assemble a complete packet and understand options. HUD

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Sources (selected)

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Quick Closing Advice

If you remember nothing else: be early, be specific, and be documented. A crisp hardship letter paired with the right request (deferral, plan, forbearance, or modification) and proof of your numbers gives your servicer exactly what they need to keep you in your home. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Not legal or financial advice; for personalized guidance, talk to your servicer and a HUD-approved housing counselor.