Washington, DC

Residents impacted by the federal government shutdown should immediately contact their mortgage lender, credit card company, student loan servicer or insurance company and explain that they are impacted by the federal government shutdown. Many lenders will waive late fees and other penalties. In addition, some banks and credit unions are offering low or no interest rate loans to help people who need immediate cash. Residents are strongly advised to avoid payday lenders, as these lenders charge excessive interest and fees.

Through the District of Columbia Mortgage Assistance Program (DC MAP), financial assistance will be made available to qualified homeowners in the form of a zero-interest, recourse loan.

To qualify for DC MAP, a homeowner must:

• be a furloughed full-time federal government employee;
• maintain their primary residence within the District;
• have documentation to reflect applicant is not eligible for forbearance through their current lender/servicer;
• reflect satisfactory 12 month payment history prior to furlough (from January 2018 through December 2018 - no more than 1 x 30 day late);
• have first trust mortgage loan current through December 31, 2018; and
• be at-risk of first trust mortgage default potentially leading to foreclosure.

Borrowers who utilize this program must repay the full amount within sixty days of the date of the government reopening or when back pay is made available to the borrower, whichever is earlier.

Starting Friday, January 25, homeowners can call 1-833-429-0537 to begin the DC MAP application process. Financial assistance will be granted on a first come first serve basis until the program allocation has been exhausted.

Other Resources:

Student Loans

Dr. Charles A. Burt, Student Loan Ombudsman
1050 First Street, NE, Suite 801
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 727-8000
[email protected]
disb.dc.gov

General Complaints

Sharon Shipp, Director
Compliance Analysis Division
1050 First Street, NE, Suite 801
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 727-8000
disb.dc.gov
[email protected]

Additional Student Loan Resources

US Department of Education Federal Student Aid Information Center
Student Loan Support Center
(877) 557-7394
(800) 4FED-AID
www.studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans

Mortgages

Housing Counseling Services
2410 17th Street, NW, Suite 100
Adams Alley Entrance
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 667-7006
www.housingetc.org