November 13, 2026 | Premiere Capital Mortgage

Illustrative photograph, not an actual borrower or hardship case. Photo: Monstera Production / Pexels.

A mortgage hardship can leave a homeowner facing two different problems: making the next payment and catching up on the payments already missed. A partial claim may help address the second problem. It does not mean the overdue debt disappears.

What an FHA partial claim does

FHA’s standalone partial claim moves eligible past-due amounts into an interest-free subordinate lien against the home. Repayment is deferred, not forgiven. HUD lists repayment triggers including final mortgage payment, sale, assumption, title transfer and certain refinances. A standalone partial claim differs from a modification, which changes mortgage terms; FHA also offers combinations and a Payment Supplement. The servicer determines which option fits. HUD’s home-retention options.

VA now has a new partial-claim program

VA launched its current program on June 15, 2026. It should not be confused with older pandemic-era assistance. Qualified borrowers complete a three-month trial payment plan. After successful completion, the servicer advances the overdue amount to restore the loan to current status, and VA reimburses the servicer. That assistance remains repayable. VA’s announcement identifies payoff, refinance or sale as repayment events. VA launch announcement.

Important timing: As of this article’s date, servicers have until November 28, 2026, to implement the program. Ask your servicer whether its process is available now. Do not assume every company has already completed implementation. VA homeowner guidance.

VA requires servicers to evaluate borrowers through its ordered loss-mitigation process. A partial claim is not simply an option a borrower can select independently. Prior pandemic-era partial claims can also affect eligibility: VA says a prior paid partial claim under those programs prevents another partial claim under the new program on the same guaranteed loan. VA servicer FAQs.

Five questions to take to your servicer

1. Is my mortgage FHA-insured or VA-guaranteed, and which assistance options apply?

2. Can the proposed arrangement resolve my missed payments while leaving an affordable ongoing payment?

3. What exact amount will I still owe, and how will that obligation be documented?

4. What happens if I sell, refinance, transfer the property or pay off the first mortgage?

5. What documents, trial payments and deadlines must I complete?

Request the terms in writing. Keep the agreement and any payoff instructions with your mortgage records. A later refinance review should include this obligation, not just the first-mortgage statement.

Contact your mortgage servicer promptly if you are struggling. Veterans who cannot resolve the situation with their servicer may call VA at 877-827-3702, option 6. VA contact guidance.

Premiere Capital Mortgage shares mortgage education to help you ask informed questions. For general mortgage questions, call (951) 634-9284. Your existing servicer handles hardship-assistance evaluation.

Educational information only, not an offer, approval or guarantee of assistance. Program rules and availability can change. Individual eligibility requires a mortgage-servicer review. PCM is not affiliated with or endorsed by FHA, HUD, VA or another government agency.

John F. Lawrence | California DRE 01150844 | NMLS 257726. Premiere Capital Investments Inc. | California DRE 01864769 | NMLS 366413.