North Carolina Procedures for Hardship Discharge --Revised:10/2009) is a program that allows those who have been financially harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic to apply for relief from mortgage payments. It provides assistance to eligible homeowners who are at risk of foreclosure due to an involuntary loss of income or an increase in expenses caused by the pandemic. The program is administered by the North Carolina Foreclosure Prevention Fund (NC FPF). There are three types of hardship discharge available under the North Carolina Procedures for Hardship Discharge --Revised:10/2009): 1. Temporary Forbearance Program: This program provides temporary financial assistance to eligible homeowners who are experiencing a loss of income or an increase in expenses due to the pandemic. The program can help reduce or suspend mortgage payments for up to six months. 2. Permanent Loan Modification Program: This program provides permanent loan modifications to eligible homeowners who are facing financial hardship due to the pandemic. This program can help reduce or suspend mortgage payments for up to five years. 3. Short Sale/Deed-in-Lieu Program: This program allows for a short sale or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure for those homeowners who are unable to keep up with their mortgage payments due to the pandemic. This is generally considered a last resort option for those who cannot afford to keep up with their mortgage payments. In order to be eligible for the North Carolina Procedures for Hardship Discharge --Revised:10/2009), homeowners must meet certain criteria, including being current on their mortgage payments prior to the pandemic, having a documented financial hardship related to the pandemic, and having sufficient income to make payments on the modified loan.