What to Gather Before You Contact a Mortgage Relief Program
Start with your loan documents and payment history
Before you reach out to any mortgage relief program, gather three categories of paperwork: your loan documents, your payment history, and proof of your current hardship. Programs need these to understand what you owe, whether you've fallen behind, and why you're asking for help. Having them ready means you won't stall halfway through a conversation or miss a deadline because you're still hunting for a bank statement.
Your loan documents include the original promissory note, the deed of trust or mortgage (the document that puts a lien on your house), and any loan modification agreements you've already signed. If you don't have paper copies, log into your lender's website or call and request them. Your payment history comes from your loan servicer — the company that collects your monthly payment — and shows every payment you've made, every missed payment, and any fees added. Request a payment history statement in writing; email counts, and it creates a record.
Proof of hardship depends on what happened. If you lost income, gather recent pay stubs, a termination letter, or an unemployment statement. If medical bills or a death created the problem, keep those documents. If your interest rate spiked or your property taxes jumped, have those notices. Programs vary in what they'll accept, but having the actual documents beats trying to explain from memory.
Key Takeaways
- Collect your promissory note, deed of trust, and any past loan modifications before contacting a program, because programs need to see the terms of your loan.
- Request a written payment history from your loan servicer showing all payments, missed payments, and fees — this is the fastest way to prove you're behind.
- Gather documents that explain why you fell behind: pay stubs, termination letters, medical bills, or tax notices, depending on your situation.
- Have your current income information ready, including recent tax returns and pay stubs, because most programs check whether you still can't afford the payment.
- Know your home's current value and what you owe, because some programs have limits based on loan-to-value ratio or the total amount owed.
Proof of income and current financial situation
Programs need to see that you actually can't pay, not just that you don't want to. Bring your most recent tax return — the last two years if you're self-employed — and recent pay stubs covering the last 30 days. If your income changed because of the hardship, include documentation of that change: a letter from your employer, an unemployment statement, or a notice of reduced hours.
You'll also need to show your current monthly expenses. This doesn't mean a detailed budget; it means your rent or mortgage payment, property taxes, insurance, utilities, food, childcare, and any other regular bills. Programs use this to calculate whether you have money left over after expenses. If you don't, that strengthens your case. If you do, some programs may deny you or offer a smaller reduction.
Bank statements from the last two or three months help here too. They show what you actually spend and whether you've been using credit cards or savings to cover the mortgage. Programs understand that people in hardship often borrow to stay afloat, and the statements prove it.
Information about your property and loan
Know your home's current market value and the total amount you still owe on the mortgage. You can find the loan balance on your most recent statement from your servicer. For current value, check recent sales of similar homes in your area, use an online estimator, or get a professional appraisal if the program requires it.
Some programs have limits: they won't help if you owe more than the home is worth, or if the loan is above a certain dollar amount, or if the home's value is above a threshold. Knowing these numbers upfront tells you whether a particular program can even consider you. You'll also need the property address, the loan number, and the name of your loan servicer — all of which appear on your monthly statement.
If you've had the loan modified before, gather those documents too. Programs want to know whether you've already tried forbearance, a payment plan, or a modification, and what happened. If a previous modification failed because the new payment was still too high, that's useful information.
Proof that you own the home and live there
Programs typically only help owner-occupants — people who live in the home as their primary residence. You'll need to prove ownership and occupancy. A recent property tax bill or homeowners insurance policy shows both. A utility bill in your name at that address also works. If you've recently bought the home, bring the closing documents or the deed.
If someone else's name is on the deed or the mortgage, clarify the situation before you call. Some programs require all owners to sign documents. Some won't help if the person living there isn't the person on the loan. Knowing this in advance prevents wasted time.
Contact information for your lender and servicer
Have the phone number and mailing address for your loan servicer written down before you call a relief program. The servicer is the company that collects your payment — it may not be the bank that originated the loan. Your monthly statement shows the servicer's name and contact information.
Some programs will contact your servicer directly. Others will tell you to contact them yourself and report back. Either way, having the information ready means you won't have to hunt for it mid-conversation. If you've already been in contact with your servicer about forbearance or a modification, note the names of anyone you spoke with and the dates of those conversations.
A checklist to print or save
| Document or Information | Where to Find It | Why You Need It |
|---|---|---|
| Promissory note and deed of trust | Original closing documents or your lender's website | Programs need to see the original loan terms |
| Payment history statement | Request in writing from your loan servicer | Proves how far behind you are and when it started |
| Last two years of tax returns | Your tax files or the IRS (IRS.gov) | Shows your income before the hardship |
| Recent pay stubs (last 30 days) | Your employer or payroll system | Shows current income and whether it changed |
| Proof of hardship | Termination letter, medical bills, tax notice, etc. | Explains why you fell behind |
| Bank statements (2–3 months) | Your bank's website or app | Shows spending and whether you borrowed to cover payments |
| Property tax bill or homeowners insurance policy | Your county assessor or insurance company | Proves you own and live in the home |
| Home value estimate and loan balance | Online estimator or your servicer's statement | Determines whether you meet program limits |
| Loan servicer contact information | Your monthly statement | Programs may contact them or ask you to coordinate |
| Previous loan modification documents (if any) | Your files or servicer | Shows what's already been tried |
What to do if you can't find a document
If you've lost paperwork, don't wait. Contact your loan servicer and ask for copies. They're required to provide payment history, loan terms, and account statements. Request them in writing — email works — so you have a record of when you asked. Most servicers send these within 5 to 10 business days.
For your original closing documents, check your email from the closing date or contact the title company that handled the sale. If you can't locate the deed, your county recorder's office has a copy; you can usually search and download it online for a small fee. For tax returns, the IRS can provide transcripts if you've lost your copies.
If you're missing proof of hardship — say, you were laid off years ago and never kept the termination letter — write a brief statement explaining what happened and when. Include any details you remember: the date you lost the job, the company name, whether you received unemployment. Programs understand that people don't always keep every piece of paper, and a clear written explanation often works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need all of these documents before I contact a program?
No. Have your loan documents, payment history, and proof of hardship ready before you call. You can gather income and expense information during the conversation. Programs will tell you what else they need, and you can send it after the initial contact.
What if my loan servicer won't give me a payment history?
They're required to provide it. Request it in writing by email and keep a copy of your request. If they don't respond within 10 business days, file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov. Include your email and the date you sent it.
Can I apply if I'm not behind on payments yet?
Most programs require you to be behind or to have received a notice that you're at risk of foreclosure. If you're current but worried about affording future payments, contact your servicer about forbearance or a modification before you fall behind — those options may be easier to get.
Do I need a professional appraisal of my home?
Not usually. Online estimators and recent comparable sales in your area are enough for most programs. Some programs may order their own appraisal if they're considering you. Ask when you call whether they need one from you upfront.
What if I've already tried a loan modification and it didn't work?
Bring those documents. Programs want to know what's already been attempted and why it failed. If the new payment was still unaffordable, that strengthens your case for a different type of relief.