Can I freeze my mortgage if I lose my job?

Asked by: Dr. Fred Labadie  |  Last update: February 5, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (66 votes)

Mortgage forbearance is an option that allows borrowers to pause or lower their mortgage payments while dealing with a short-term crisis, such as a job loss, illness or other financial setback.

Can you pause a mortgage if you lose your job?

If you lose your job, you can ask for forbearance. It simply extends your mortgage period for the time you can't pay.

Can I defer my mortgage if I lose my job?

Call your mortgage servicing company. Often, they are willing to defer payments for a few months in your situation. As long as you are actively job seeking, the monthly payments you miss just get moved to the end of the life of the loan. You might be able to get your student loan payments temporarily deferred as well.

What is considered a hardship for a mortgage?

Sudden financial hardships can occur for many reasons, such as job loss, illness, disability, natural disasters, or divorce. When something affects your ability to make your mortgage payments, a forbearance plan can provide breathing room to get back on track.

What happens if you lose your job and can't pay your mortgage?

If you lose your job through no fault of your own, you might be able to get help with your mortgage payments. You could be eligible for assistance from the government, your mortgage servicer (working on behalf of the lender), or both. Some programs provide money to pay your monthly mortgage payments.

Can You Lose Your Mortgage If You Lose Your Job? - CountyOffice.org

31 related questions found

How to legally stop paying your mortgage?

How To Get Out Of Your Mortgage Legally
  1. Talk To Your Lender. Homeowners who find themselves under financial duress are advised to speak with their lender as soon as possible. ...
  2. Sell Your Home. ...
  3. Request A Deed In Lieu Of Foreclosure. ...
  4. Have A Short Sale. ...
  5. Let Your House Go Into Foreclosure. ...
  6. Strategic Default.

Does mortgage protection cover you if you lose your job?

Mortgage protection insurance for job loss is a specific type of policy designed to cover your mortgage payments if you unexpectedly lose your job. It acts as a safety net, preventing foreclosure and giving you the peace of mind to focus on your job search without the stress of losing your home.

Can you pause a mortgage?

A mortgage payment holiday is an agreement you might be able to make with your lender that allows you to temporarily stop or reduce your monthly mortgage repayments.

Can I get a deferment on my mortgage?

For homeowners facing tough times, it's possible to postpone monthly payments and still keep your house through a process known as deferment. Deferring your mortgage payments is not the same as entering into a forbearance plan, though the two options are sometimes incorrectly used interchangeably.

How do you qualify for mortgage forgiveness?

Only when the lender is convinced you will be unable to pay it back will it concede to forgiveness provisions. One way this happens is through a loan modification program — that is, you negotiate new terms for your original loan. You might get a lower payment in exchange for a lengthier payout period.

Should I tell my lender I lost my job?

If you lose your job before closing on a mortgage, you should immediately inform your lender and explain what happened. If you don't do it, you commit mortgage fraud. Remember that your borrower, before approving the loan, verifies your employment status and income.

Can you be denied mortgage forbearance?

Yes. You can be denied mortgage forbearance if you can't prove financial hardship, have a less-than-ideal credit score, or have a history of making late payments.

How much is mortgage unemployment insurance?

"Expect to pay anywhere from 2% to 5% of your monthly housing payment for mortgage unemployment insurance," Martucci says. You can also look into disability insurance if you're concerned about making mortgage payments. Disability insurance can help you if you're ever not able to work.

What happens if I lose my job while buying a house?

If your job has truly been terminated, the mortgage process will likely have to be put on hold until you find new employment. Lenders are looking for sources of stable income and their risk of loss is too great unless you have a reliable job.

Can you temporarily pause mortgage payments?

Forbearance is a process that can help if you're struggling to pay your mortgage. Your servicer or lender arranges for you to temporarily pause mortgage payments or make smaller payments. You still owe the full amount, and you pay back the difference later. Forbearance can help you deal with a financial hardship.

How many forbearances are you allowed?

For loans made under all three programs, a general forbearance may be granted for no more than 12 months at a time. If you're still experiencing a hardship when your current forbearance expires, you may request another general forbearance. However, there is a cumulative limit on general forbearances of three years.

Can I defer my mortgage payment if I lose my job?

Mortgage forbearance is a temporary pause or reduction in your mortgage payments. Homeowners who request forbearance are often experiencing some sort of temporary financial hardship. This might be dealing with a job loss, the impact of a natural disaster or an unexpected medical expense.

What is a hardship loan?

Hardship personal loans are a type of personal loan intended to help borrowers overcome financial difficulties such as job loss, medical emergencies, or home repairs. Hardship personal loan programs are often offered by small banks and credit unions.

Who qualifies for deferment?

When You Can Get A Deferment
  • undergoing cancer treatment;
  • experiencing economic hardship;
  • in a graduate fellowship program;
  • enrolled in school at least half-time;
  • performing qualifying military service;
  • a post-active duty service member;
  • a Parent PLUS borrower with student enrolled in school;

What happens if I can't pay my mortgage anymore?

If there is a hardship, your servicer will explore mortgage assistance options with you. Options might include a repayment plan, loan modification, short sale or Deed-In-Lieu of foreclosure. If a mortgage assistance solution cannot be reached, and the account remains delinquent, your home may be foreclosed on.

How long can you pause a loan?

If you're having trouble repaying your loans, you may consider requesting a loan deferment or forbearance: With a loan deferment, you can temporarily stop making payments. With a loan forbearance, you can stop making payments or reduce your monthly payments for up to 12 months.

Can a mortgage be frozen?

If you can't pay your mortgage because of temporary financial hardship, you can ask your lender for mortgage forbearance, which reduces or even suspends your mortgage payments for as long as 12 months until you can resume your payments.

What happens if I lose my job and I can't pay my mortgage?

Mortgage forbearance is an option that allows borrowers to pause or lower their mortgage payments while dealing with a short-term crisis, such as a job loss, illness or other financial setback. This can help protect struggling borrowers from becoming delinquent with payments, as well as avoid foreclosure.

What insurance pays off a mortgage?

What is mortgage life insurance? Mortgage life insurance, or mortgage protection insurance, is a unique form of life insurance designed to pay off the policyholder's mortgage if they pass away during the policy term. This helps beneficiaries eliminate significant debt, which can save them a lot of money each month.

What insurance pays you if you lose your job?

Unemployment insurance pays you money if you lose your job through no fault of your own. Learn how to apply and where to find eligibility rules.