Quick answer
The homeowner stimulus relief program, the federal Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF), has closed to new applicants in most states after its funds were used up, and there is no homeowner stimulus check in 2026. Real help now: ask your mortgage servicer about forbearance, repayment plans, or loan modification; call a free HUD-approved housing counselor at 800-569-4287; apply for property tax exemptions or deferrals; use LIHEAP for utility bills; and look into home repair programs like USDA Section 504. Any website charging fees to apply for “homeowner stimulus relief” is a scam.
Key facts
- HAF: a 2021 federal program run by states; most have closed after spending funds.
- No stimulus check: there is no 2026 federal homeowner stimulus payment.
- Servicer help: forbearance, repayment plans, modifications, and partial claims.
- 120-day rule: servicers generally cannot start foreclosure until you are more than 120 days behind.
- Free counseling: HUD-approved counselors cost nothing.
Table of contents
- What was the homeowner stimulus relief program?
- Is there any homeowner relief in 2026?
- If you are behind on your mortgage
- Lowering your property taxes
- Help with utilities and repairs for homeowners
- How to spot homeowner relief scams
- Key terms explained
- Who to contact
- Extra help for senior homeowners
- Mistakes that put homeowners at risk
- When homeowner’s insurance is too expensive
- If your home was damaged in a disaster
- After forbearance ends
- Inheriting a home with a mortgage
- Your step-by-step plan for this week
- Related guides
- Frequently asked questions
What was the homeowner stimulus relief program?
The Homeowner Assistance Fund gave nearly $10 billion to states, territories, and tribes to help homeowners who fell behind on mortgages, property taxes, insurance, and utilities because of the pandemic. Each state ran its own program with its own name. Most have now closed to new applications. A few may still be finishing payments for people already approved.
Is there any homeowner relief in 2026?
| Need | Real help now |
|---|---|
| Behind on mortgage | Servicer loss mitigation, HUD-approved counseling, legal aid |
| High property taxes | Homestead exemptions, senior and disability freezes, deferrals |
| Utility bills | LIHEAP, utility payment plans |
| Home repairs | USDA Section 504, city and county repair programs, weatherization |
| Disaster damage | FEMA and SBA disaster loans in declared disasters |
If you are behind on your mortgage
- Call your servicer and ask for a loss mitigation application.
- Ask about options: forbearance, repayment plans, loan modification, payment deferral, or an FHA partial claim.
- Know the timeline: under CFPB rules, servicers generally cannot start foreclosure until you are more than 120 days delinquent, and a complete application sent more than 37 days before a sale must be reviewed.
- Get free counseling: HUD-approved counselors help you apply and negotiate.
See our Alabama and Iowa mortgage relief guides for examples of what replaced state HAF programs.
Lowering your property taxes
Most states offer homestead exemptions that reduce the taxable value of a primary home, and many add bigger exemptions, freezes, or deferrals for seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans. Some states let seniors defer taxes until the home is sold. Apply with your county assessor or tax office, and check deadlines, which are often early in the year.
Help with utilities and repairs for homeowners
Apply for LIHEAP at your community action agency for heating and cooling bills, and ask about weatherization. For repairs, see USDA Section 504 and local programs in our federal home repair grants guide. Homeowners with low income can also apply for SNAP; estimate it with our SNAP calculator.
How to spot homeowner relief scams
Watch out: scammers still use names like “homeowner stimulus relief” to charge fees, take payments meant for your servicer, or get you to sign over your deed. The FTC warns that it is illegal for most companies to charge upfront fees for mortgage relief. Never pay anyone but your servicer, and never sign over your home.
Key terms explained
- Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF)
- The 2021 federal program, run by states, that helped pandemic-affected homeowners.
- Loss mitigation
- Options a servicer offers to help you avoid foreclosure.
- Homestead exemption
- A property tax reduction on your primary home.
Who to contact
| Who | How to reach them | Ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Mortgage servicer | Number on your statement | Loss mitigation application |
| HUD-approved counselor | 800-569-4287 | Free foreclosure prevention help |
| County assessor | Local office | Homestead and senior exemptions |
| Legal aid | LawHelp.org | Foreclosure defense |
Extra help for senior homeowners
Older homeowners can often get larger property tax exemptions or freezes, USDA Section 504 repair grants in rural areas, Area Agency on Aging repair help, and LIHEAP priority. Before considering a reverse mortgage, get the required free HUD-approved counseling. See our senior home repair guide.
Mistakes that put homeowners at risk
- Ignoring servicer letters or court papers.
- Paying a company to negotiate with your servicer.
- Signing documents you do not understand, especially deeds.
- Letting homeowner’s insurance lapse.
When homeowner’s insurance is too expensive
Shop around with an independent agent, raise your deductible if you have savings, and ask about discounts for alarms, roof upgrades, or bundling. If no private insurer will cover you, many states have a FAIR plan or insurer of last resort. Losing insurance can violate your mortgage, so act before it lapses.
If your home was damaged in a disaster
After a presidentially declared disaster, register with FEMA at DisasterAssistance.gov and ask about SBA disaster loans for homeowners, which offer low interest rates for repairs. File an insurance claim right away and document all damage with photos.
After forbearance ends
Forbearance only pauses or reduces payments; the missed amount is still owed. Before it ends, ask your servicer about repayment plans, deferral that moves missed payments to the end of the loan, or a modification. Get the plan in writing before the forbearance period ends, and call a HUD-approved counselor if the offer is not affordable.
Inheriting a home with a mortgage
If you inherited a home from a family member, federal rules let you be treated as a successor in interest, so the servicer must talk with you about the loan and loss mitigation options. Send the death certificate and proof of your interest, and ask a HUD-approved counselor or legal aid for help.
Your step-by-step plan for this week
- Call your servicer and request a loss mitigation application.
- Call a HUD-approved counselor at 800-569-4287.
- Check property tax exemptions with your county.
- Apply for LIHEAP and weatherization.
- Ignore fee-based “stimulus” offers.
Help is free. Servicer reviews, HUD counselors, county tax offices, and legal aid never charge to apply.
For more specifics, see our guides on government assistance for homeowners and foreclosure assistance for seniors.
Related guides
- Home repairs for seniors
- Free government debt relief programs
- Stimulus relief
- Utility relief programs
Frequently asked questions
Is the homeowner stimulus relief program still open?
In most states, no. The homeowner stimulus relief program, the federal Homeowner Assistance Fund, closed after funds were used up.
Is there a homeowner stimulus check in 2026?
No. There is no 2026 federal stimulus payment for homeowners.
What help is there if I am behind on my mortgage?
Ask your servicer about forbearance, repayment plans, or modification, and call a free HUD-approved counselor at 800-569-4287.
Can I get help with property taxes?
Most states offer homestead exemptions, and many have senior, disability, and veteran exemptions or deferrals. Apply with your county.
How do I know if a homeowner relief offer is a scam?
If it charges an upfront fee, asks you to pay someone other than your servicer, or asks you to sign over your deed, it is a scam.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on October 25, 2026. If a source and this page ever disagree, follow the source.
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. National Relief Program is an independent website, not a government agency or lender.
Before you apply: program rules, amounts, and deadlines change. Always confirm details with the official agency or program administrator. Applying for government benefits is free.
National Relief Program is an independent guide, not a government agency. Spotted an error? Email support@nationalreliefprogram.org.
