Struggling to pay your mortgage because of the pandemic? There’s a program that can help

June 8, 2021 7:01 PM

Katerina Chryssafis,

Posted: June 8, 2021 7:01 PM

by Katerina Chryssafis

SPOKANE, Wash. — If you’re a homeowner who’s struggling to pay your mortgage – you’re not alone. This pandemic has made it harder for homeowners to make ends meet, but there is help.

“You can’t plan for a pandemic,” said Jennifer Hentges, Housing Program Manager with SNAP.

It’s a pandemic that’s hurt so many of us in one way or another.

“There are so many people that don’t even realize help is available,” Hentges said.

Hentges has seen it first hand. She said ever since SNAP’s Mortgage Payment Assistance Program became available last fall, sign-ups have been far and few between.

“A lot of people are still in forbearance,” she said.

Because even if they don’t show it, Hentges knows a lot of homeowners are struggling to make their payments.

“And because they’re in forbearance, it’s not exactly at the top of their minds,” she said.

What should be top of mind is finding a way out. SNAP’s new program makes it easy.

“We can pay up to six months of mortgage payments for anybody who lives in the county of Spokane but not in city limits,” Hentges said.

Here’s how it works. A family of one would need a monthly income of no more than $3,600 to qualify. A family of five would have to make a maximum of $5,554.

“A lot of people are on unemployment and normally they’re over that threshold and right now they’re not. So more people would qualify now than under normal circumstances,” said Hentges.

Because Hentges knows these circumstances are anything but normal.

“Please don’t be shy. It’s 100% confidential and hopefully, we can help,” she said.