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What mortgage help is there for California wildfire and disaster survivors?

Start by asking your servicer, in writing, for disaster forbearance, which pauses or lowers your payments for a time. If the January 2025 Los Angeles fires caused you a money hardship, California law gives you up to 12 months of forbearance, with no late fees or foreclosure during it. The CalAssist Mortgage Fund's last day for new applications is November 2, 2026, but other help stays open after that.

By Guillermo Serafin, broker and owner of Serve First Realty. Updated October 2026.

Is the CalAssist Mortgage Fund still open?

Only until November 2, 2026. That is CalAssist's last day for new applications, and after it the fund is closed to new applicants. The state says completed applications will still be processed and all approved grants will be paid. If you already applied, watch your email for document requests. For questions about your application, call CalAssist at 800-501-0019, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Right now there is no other statewide grant to catch up on a mortgage. See our program myth buster.

What are my forbearance rights in California?

A California law called the Mortgage Forbearance Act (AB 238) took effect September 22, 2025. If you had a money hardship from the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires and windstorm, including the Eaton and Palisades fires:

  • You can get up to 12 months of forbearance, starting with 90 days, plus 90-day extensions.
  • No late fees, penalties, or foreclosure are allowed during the forbearance.
  • Ask your servicer for disaster forbearance in writing, and keep a copy.
  • If your servicer says no, file a complaint with the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) at 866-275-2677 or on the DFPI LA fires page.
  • DFPI also got about 160 lenders and servicers to agree to give LA fire survivors 90 more days of forbearance in 2026.

What changes on January 1, 2027?

Two new laws signed September 15, 2026 take effect January 1, 2027. Early reports say:

  • AB 1847 extends forbearance for 2025 LA fire survivors, reportedly up to 24 months, and moves the deadline to ask from January 7, 2027 to January 7, 2029. You may need to state that the fire left your home unlivable.
  • After forbearance, servicers must offer to move the paused amount to the end of the loan. Borrowers who were current should not have to pay it all at once.
  • AB 1842 creates lasting forbearance protections for future declared disasters in California.

These details come from early summaries. Check with DFPI or a housing counselor for the final rules.

What does my type of loan offer after a disaster?

  • Fannie Mae loans: disaster forbearance and free disaster counseling at 855-437-3243.
  • Freddie Mac loans: disaster relief options at Freddie Mac's help page.
  • FHA loans: in federally declared disaster areas, FHA generally pauses foreclosures for a time and offers disaster options. Ask your servicer.
  • VA and USDA loans: ask your servicer about disaster forbearance.
  • Not sure who owns your loan? See our Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guide.

What other help is there for survivors?

What happens when forbearance ends?

Forbearance pauses payments. It does not erase them. Before it ends, ask your servicer in writing how you will repay, and ask about a repayment plan, payment deferral, or loan modification. If you cannot rebuild or stay, selling may protect your equity. See your alternatives compared. Be careful of anyone who says they are from a government disaster program and asks for money. See our scam red flags guide.

General information, not legal advice. Sources: CalAssist Mortgage Fund and CalHFA program pages (checked October 29, 2026); California Mortgage Forbearance Act, AB 238 (2025); AB 1842 and AB 1847 (2026), as summarized by DFPI and trade press; DFPI LA fires page; FEMA and Governor's office releases from 2026.

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