By Contributor published 5-8-2020 updated 5-8-2020
Dear Homeowner,
Restore Louisiana is pleased to announce that we are now able to process SBA disbursed loan reimbursements via exception requests based on the following criteria: hardship due to housing cost burden and hardship due to SBA loan repayment. You may be eligible for a hardship exception if you:
· Spend more than 30 percent of your gross household income on housing expenses including monthly mortgage payment, homeowner's insurance, flood insurance, property taxes, and monthly SBA loan payment amounts, OR
· Spend more than 15 percent of your discretionary income on your SBA loan repayment
If you believe you qualify for a hardship, please fill out an application for a SBA HARDSHIP EXCEPTION
by clicking the link below or copying and pasting into a browser address bar:
NOTE: In the email sent to you you will find a link that has your name and account information included in the link. If you would like to manually enter your information use the link I provided above. Be sure to call and follow up with Restore Homeowners Assistance Program to make sure they have your survey for your hardship. While you are at it, you should USPS a copy and email them a copy as well. We all know how well they manage our paperwork.
Follow the instructions for the supporting documents that will be required to submit as part of the application process and submit those documents to the Program by one of the following methods:
**Use of USPS Mail to submit your documents may delay processing
The household expense data you provide will be used by the Program to conduct a preliminary calculation to determine if you meet the threshold for a hardship exception. If you meet the threshold, the Program will submit this information along with any requested supporting documentation to HUD for approval of your hardship.
Please complete the hardship exception application and submit all supporting documentation by Friday, June 19, 2020. By submitting this information, you are acknowledging that you assert, certify, and reaffirm under penalty of perjury that all information included in the form and in documents provided are true to the best of your knowledge. All self-certified information may be investigated by the Program or by HUD at a later date. Applicants are under an obligation to comply with any Program request for verifying documentation that supports a self-certification, even after awards have been granted and applicant files have been closed.
If HUD approves your request for the hardship, your award will be updated. Once you have accepted the updated award, the Program will reach out to you with further instructions. If applicable, the Program may conduct a final inspection to verify that all construction on your home is completed. Once all criteria are met, the Program will issue a two-party check as payment towards your disbursed SBA loan amount. The SBA hardship award payment will be capped at 50 percent of the total SBA disbursed loan calculation. The amount shown on your updated award letter will be the 50 percent payment amount that will be sent to SBA.
If you would like assistance in completing the hardship application, please call 866-735-2001 between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday to speak with a Program representative. Due to COVID-19, the Program cannot schedule in-person meetings. Your case manager will reach out to you if further documentation is needed to process your hardship request.
Sincerely,
The Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program