VA Circular 26-15-14 Special Relief Following Oklahoma Severe Storms
On June 23, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released Circular 26-15-14, subtitled Special Relief Following Oklahoma Severe Storms.
Special Relief Following Oklahoma Severe Storms
1. Purpose. This Circular expresses concern about Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan borrowers affected by Oklahoma’s severe storms, tornadoes and flooding, and describes measures mortgagees may employ to provide relief.
2. Direct and Indirect Impact on Borrowers. Directly affected by Oklahoma’s severe storms, tornadoes and flooding were those whose homes were severely damaged or destroyed, the families of those killed during these storms, and those who suffered considerable personal injury. Also directly affected were those whose work environments were destroyed or severely damaged as a result of these storms. Many others have been indirectly affected, including business partners of those in the federally declared disaster area announced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The impact may continue to ripple throughout the country, as evacuees travel nationwide to seek the support and shelter of family members.
3. Forbearance Request. VA encourages holders of guaranteed loans to extend every possible forbearance to borrowers in distress as a result of Oklahoma’s severe storms, tornadoes and flooding. Careful counseling with borrowers should help determine whether their difficulties are directly or indirectly related to these storms, or whether they stem from other sources that must be addressed. The proper use of authorities granted in VA regulations may be of assistance in appropriate cases. For example, Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), section 36.4311 (Prepayments) allows the reapplication of prepayments to cure or prevent a default. This means that if a borrower has been making additional principal payments over a period of years, the principal balance may be increased up to the scheduled balance and the increase applied toward regular installments. Also, 38 CFR 36.4315 (Loan modifications) allows the terms of any guaranteed loan to be modified without the prior approval of VA, provided certain conditions in the regulation are satisfied.
4. Moratorium on Foreclosure. Although the loan holder is ultimately responsible for determining when to initiate foreclosure, and for completing termination action, VA has requested on its website (http://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans) that holders establish a 90-day moratorium from the date of a disaster on initiating new foreclosures on loans affected by major disasters. VA regulation 38 CFR 36.4324(a)(3)(ii) allows additional interest on a guaranty claim when eventual termination has been delayed due to circumstances beyond the control of the holder, such as VA-requested forbearance. The initial request applies to loans in the federally declared disaster areas, which VA believes should include areas declared by FEMA as eligible for public assistance as well as those areas eligible for individual assistance. Because of the widespread impact of Oklahoma’s severe storms, tornadoes and flooding, holders should ensure that all foreclosure referrals nationwide during the moratorium are reviewed prior to initiation to ensure that borrowers have not been affected significantly enough to justify delay in referral. Any questions about impact should be discussed with the VA Regional Loan Center (RLC) of jurisdiction.
5. Late Charge Waivers. VA believes that many servicers plan to waive late charges on loans in the disaster areas, and VA encourages all servicers to adopt such a policy for any loans that may have been affected due to the ripple effect of the storms as mentioned in paragraph 2.
6. Credit and VA Reporting. In order to avoid damaging credit records of Veteran borrowers in the affected areas, many servicers may suspend credit bureau reporting on loans in those areas. At this time, VA would encourage servicers to consider suspension of credit reporting on Veteran borrowers nationwide who have been affected by these storms. Similarly, VA will not penalize servicers for any late default reporting to VA as a result of these storms. This may include direct damage to servicer facilities located in the disaster areas or their operations elsewhere which may have been impacted by business partners within the disaster areas. Please contact the appropriate RLC with any questions.
7. Activation of the National Guard. Some members of the National Guard have already been called to active duty to assist in recovery efforts. Those individuals may experience financial difficulties of their own due to what could be extended tours of duty during the disaster recovery efforts. VA encourages servicers to extend special forbearance to National Guard members in this situation.
8. Rescission: This Circular is rescinded July 1, 2016.
By Direction of the Under Secretary for Benefits
Michael J. Frueh
Director, Loan Guaranty Service
Please click here to view the online Circular.
About Safeguard
Safeguard Properties is the mortgage field services industry leader, preserving vacant and foreclosed properties across the U.S., Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and Guam. Founded in 1990 by Robert Klein and headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Safeguard provides the highest quality service to our clients by leveraging innovative technologies and proactively developing industry best practices and quality control procedures. Consistent with Safeguard’s values and mission, we are an active supporter of hundreds of charitable efforts across the country. Annually, Safeguard gives back to communities in partnership with our employees, vendors and clients. We also are dedicated to working with community leaders and officials to eliminate blight and stabilize neighborhoods. Safeguard is dedicated to preserving today and protecting tomorrow. Website: www.safeguardproperties.com.
