source:
  type: regulation
  id: usda-hb-3555-18.15
  authority: USDA Technical Handbook HB-1-3555 §18.15 — Special Relief Alternatives For Disaster Assistance
  description: "USDA HB-1-3555 §18.15 (Special Relief Alternatives For Disaster Assistance). Gap-fill (verbatim).\
    \ \n"
obligations:
- id: usda-hb-3555-18.15-0
  canonical_id: usda-hb-3555-18.15-0
  section: USDA HB-1-3555 18.15 — Special Relief Alternatives For Disaster Assistance
  description: '18.15 Special Relief Alternatives For Disaster Assistance: ECIAL RELIEF ALTERNATIVES FOR DISASTER
    ASSISTANCE In addition to the standard workout options in'
  type: do
  tags:
  - regulator-direct
  - gap-fill
  - usda-hb-3555
  - section-complete
  primary_source:
    tier: 1
    authority: USDA Technical Handbook HB-1-3555 §18.15 — Special Relief Alternatives For Disaster Assistance
    source_class: usda-handbook-hb-1-3555
    source_url: https://www.rd.usda.gov/resources/directives/handbooks
    snapshot_id: 0466acd1ea2d17a4
    fetched_at: '2026-06-18T00:00:00+00:00'
    content_hash: sha256:22ac6f998ff72578e318fca138ebe80fb18ae2fc701eb5936172f1842679a13a
    paragraph_quote: ECIAL RELIEF ALTERNATIVES FOR DISASTER ASSISTANCE In addition to the standard workout options
      in
    drafter_attestation: Verbatim from HB-1-3555 §18.15 body (max-gap occurrence), snapshot 0466acd1ea2d17a4; substring-verified.
  judgment: false
- id: usda-hb-3555-18.15-1
  canonical_id: usda-hb-3555-18.15-1
  section: USDA HB-1-3555 18.15 — Special Relief Alternatives For Disaster Assistance
  description: '18.15 Special Relief Alternatives For Disaster Assistance: 8-A, The Loss Mitigation Guide, servicers
    may offer the following special relief alternatives depending on the borrower’s circumstances. A. Special Relief
    Alternatives: Borrowers must meet all the following eligibility criteria: x The borrower occupies, as their
    primary residence…'
  type: do
  tags:
  - regulator-direct
  - gap-fill
  - usda-hb-3555
  - section-complete
  primary_source:
    tier: 1
    authority: USDA Technical Handbook HB-1-3555 §18.15 — Special Relief Alternatives For Disaster Assistance
    source_class: usda-handbook-hb-1-3555
    source_url: https://www.rd.usda.gov/resources/directives/handbooks
    snapshot_id: 0466acd1ea2d17a4
    fetched_at: '2026-06-18T00:00:00+00:00'
    content_hash: sha256:22ac6f998ff72578e318fca138ebe80fb18ae2fc701eb5936172f1842679a13a
    paragraph_quote: '8-A, The Loss Mitigation Guide, servicers may offer the following special relief alternatives
      depending on the borrower’s circumstances. A. Special Relief Alternatives: Borrowers must meet all the following
      eligibility criteria: x The borrower occupies, as their primary residence, the property securing the guaranteed
      loan. x The loan was current or less than thirty (30) days past due as of the date the'
    drafter_attestation: Verbatim from HB-1-3555 §18.15 body (max-gap occurrence), snapshot 0466acd1ea2d17a4; substring-verified.
  judgment: false
- id: usda-hb-3555-18.15-2
  canonical_id: usda-hb-3555-18.15-2
  section: USDA HB-1-3555 18.15 — Special Relief Alternatives For Disaster Assistance
  description: '18.15 Special Relief Alternatives For Disaster Assistance: 04-14-25) PN 637 Guidance documents lack
    the force and effect of law, unless expressly authorized by statute or incorporated into a contract. USDA may
    not cite, use, or rely on any guidance that is not available through their guidance portal, except to establish
    historical facts.…'
  type: do
  tags:
  - regulator-direct
  - gap-fill
  - usda-hb-3555
  - section-complete
  primary_source:
    tier: 1
    authority: USDA Technical Handbook HB-1-3555 §18.15 — Special Relief Alternatives For Disaster Assistance
    source_class: usda-handbook-hb-1-3555
    source_url: https://www.rd.usda.gov/resources/directives/handbooks
    snapshot_id: 0466acd1ea2d17a4
    fetched_at: '2026-06-18T00:00:00+00:00'
    content_hash: sha256:22ac6f998ff72578e318fca138ebe80fb18ae2fc701eb5936172f1842679a13a
    paragraph_quote: '04-14-25) PN 637 Guidance documents lack the force and effect of law, unless expressly authorized
      by statute or incorporated into a contract. USDA may not cite, use, or rely on any guidance that is not available
      through their guidance portal, except to establish historical facts. applicable PDD was declared. x The servicer
      receives verification from the borrower the hardship (employment and/or property) has been resolved. x The
      total modified mortgage principal and interest payment is less than or equal to the payment prior to modification.
      If the borrower meets the conditions above, the servicer may offer any one of the following options with no
      financial review: x Payment Deferral: If the servicer determines the borrower can maintain the current contractual
      payment including any escrow shortage created by advances during the forbearance period, spread over 60 months,
      the missed payments may be deferred to the end of the loan term. USDA does not allow any type of balloon payment
      as part of the guaranteed UPB. Therefore, the term must be extended along with the deferral, thus allowing
      the borrower to make regular payments until the deferred balance is paid in full. Any interest accrued during
      the forbearance period should be included in the deferred balance. x Capitalization of Delinquency and Term
      Extension: If the servicer determines the borrower can maintain the current contractual payment but cannot
      manage the additional escrow repayment amount, the servicer may offer a “Cap and Extend Modification” under
      the following terms: o Capitalize the accumulated arrearages and eligible unreimbursed servicer advances,
      fees, and costs into the modified mortgage balance. o Extend term for a total of up to 360 months. o Modify
      the interest rate to no more than 50 basis points greater than the most recent Freddie Mac Weekly Primary
      Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) Rate for 30-year fixed-rate conforming mortgages (U.S. Average), rounded to
      the nearest one-eighth of one percentage (0.125%), as of the date a plan is offered to the borrower.'
    drafter_attestation: Verbatim from HB-1-3555 §18.15 body (max-gap occurrence), snapshot 0466acd1ea2d17a4; substring-verified.
  judgment: false
- id: usda-hb-3555-18.15-3
  canonical_id: usda-hb-3555-18.15-3
  section: USDA HB-1-3555 18.15 — Special Relief Alternatives For Disaster Assistance
  description: '18.15 Special Relief Alternatives For Disaster Assistance: 04-14-25) PN 637 Guidance documents lack
    the force and effect of law, unless expressly authorized by statute or incorporated into a contract. USDA may
    not cite, use, or rely on any guidance that is not available through their guidance portal, except to establish
    historical facts.…'
  type: do
  tags:
  - regulator-direct
  - gap-fill
  - usda-hb-3555
  - section-complete
  primary_source:
    tier: 1
    authority: USDA Technical Handbook HB-1-3555 §18.15 — Special Relief Alternatives For Disaster Assistance
    source_class: usda-handbook-hb-1-3555
    source_url: https://www.rd.usda.gov/resources/directives/handbooks
    snapshot_id: 0466acd1ea2d17a4
    fetched_at: '2026-06-18T00:00:00+00:00'
    content_hash: sha256:22ac6f998ff72578e318fca138ebe80fb18ae2fc701eb5936172f1842679a13a
    paragraph_quote: '04-14-25) PN 637 Guidance documents lack the force and effect of law, unless expressly authorized
      by statute or incorporated into a contract. USDA may not cite, use, or rely on any guidance that is not available
      through their guidance portal, except to establish historical facts. x Mortgage Recovery Advance: The servicer
      may utilize a Mortgage Recovery Advance (MRA) to settle the borrower delinquency and bring the borrower current.
      The MRA is limited to an amount no greater than what is necessary to resolve any accumulated delinquency and
      unreimbursed servicer advances made during the forbearance and must meet all other requirements as explained
      in Section 5(J) of the Loss Mitigation Guide found in Attachment 18-A of this Chapter.'
    drafter_attestation: Verbatim from HB-1-3555 §18.15 body (max-gap occurrence), snapshot 0466acd1ea2d17a4; substring-verified.
  judgment: false
- id: usda-hb-3555-18.15-4
  canonical_id: usda-hb-3555-18.15-4
  section: USDA HB-1-3555 18.15 — Special Relief Alternatives For Disaster Assistance
  description: '18.15 Special Relief Alternatives For Disaster Assistance: OPERTY DAMAGE AND INSURANCE CLAIMS [7
    CFR 3555.307(d)] Servicers should ensure that hazard insurance claims are filed and settled as expeditiously
    as possible. Servicers are responsible for taking prompt action to protect the interests of the borrower and
    Agency when a hazard or …'
  type: do
  tags:
  - regulator-direct
  - gap-fill
  - usda-hb-3555
  - section-complete
  primary_source:
    tier: 1
    authority: USDA Technical Handbook HB-1-3555 §18.15 — Special Relief Alternatives For Disaster Assistance
    source_class: usda-handbook-hb-1-3555
    source_url: https://www.rd.usda.gov/resources/directives/handbooks
    snapshot_id: 0466acd1ea2d17a4
    fetched_at: '2026-06-18T00:00:00+00:00'
    content_hash: sha256:22ac6f998ff72578e318fca138ebe80fb18ae2fc701eb5936172f1842679a13a
    paragraph_quote: OPERTY DAMAGE AND INSURANCE CLAIMS [7 CFR 3555.307(d)] Servicers should ensure that hazard
      insurance claims are filed and settled as expeditiously as possible. Servicers are responsible for taking
      prompt action to protect the interests of the borrower and Agency when a hazard or flood occurs. This involves
      working closely with the insurance carrier, the borrower, and repair contractors. The servicer will complete
      a thorough analysis concerning the decision to repair the security property and document the decision. The
      decision should support the best level of return to the servicer and minimize loss to the Agency. Insurance
      proceeds will be issued jointly to the servicer and the borrower. If the decision is to use the proceeds to
      repair the property, the servicer must ensure a licensed contractor is used to complete the repairs. Unless
      the homeowner qualifies for direct payment of insurance proceeds in accordance with of Chapter 17 of this
      Handbook, the servicer will release the proceeds in draws based on periodic inspections. The final draw will
      be paid after verification that all repairs were satisfactorily completed. The servicer is responsible for
      obtaining all lien waivers for work performed. If the premises have been destroyed, the servicer should compare
      the unpaid principal balance with the insurance proceeds and any other circumstances affecting the case, such
      as local laws barring reconstruction of the destroyed property. Insurance loss payments, condemnation awards,
      or similar proceeds will be applied on debts in accordance with lien priorities, on which the guarantee was
      based, or to rebuild or otherwise acquire needed replacement collateral.
    drafter_attestation: Verbatim from HB-1-3555 §18.15 body (max-gap occurrence), snapshot 0466acd1ea2d17a4; substring-verified.
  judgment: false
