The Department of Veterans Affairs announced Tuesday it will extend an existing ban on evictions and foreclosures during the coronavirus pandemic.
The freeze on evictions, foreclosures and extended VA loan forbearance requests, which was set to expire March 31, will now continue through June 30, VA officials said in an announcement Tuesday morning.
VA's move was part of a White House effort this week to extend the moratorium on home foreclosures for people with federally-backed mortgages, and includes all homes financed with VA-guaranteed loans.
The extension for veteran requests for mortgage forbearance allows vets to delay mortgage payments, or make lower payments temporarily. With the extension, veterans can now continue to request that aid through June.
“We will do everything in our power to help veterans, their families, survivors and our caregivers get through this pandemic,” newly installed VA Secretary Denis McDonough said in one of his first public statements as the leader of the second-largest federal agency. “The department’s moratorium and forbearance extensions support President Biden’s Jan. 22 executive order to deliver economic relief to Americans amid the COVID-19 crisis by addressing economic hardships the veteran community faces, through no fault of its own, during the ongoing pandemic.”
Last month, the Biden administration also called on VA to continue a pause on veteran debt and copay collection during the pandemic.
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VA borrowers who are experiencing financial hardships because of the pandemic can find help online or call VA at 877-827-3702.