California Launches $20,000 Mortgage Relief Program For Disaster Victims Today

California launches the CalAssist Mortgage Fund on Thursday, June 12, to provide emergency financial assistance to homeowners whose properties were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable by natural disasters. The program offers grants of up to $20,000 to help eligible residents cover up to three months of mortgage payments following disasters that occurred between January 1, 2023, and January 8, 2025, including the Eaton fire.

Eligible homeowners can receive grants without repayment obligation. Applying is free. The program targets residents whose primary residences were destroyed or left uninhabitable due to significant property damage from qualified disasters.

To qualify, applicants must meet program income limits that vary by County, maintain a mortgage or reverse mortgage, and own a single-family home, condominium, or permanently affixed manufactured home. Properties may include up to four units.

Funds are limited, and homeowners should prepare to apply now. Applications will be reviewed in submission order, with funds awarded until exhausted. Grants will be reserved for eligible applicants as long as funds remain available.

Grants will be sent directly to mortgage servicers rather than homeowners, ensuring funds apply specifically to mortgage obligations.

Homeowners should check the list of qualified disasters, confirm County-specific income limits, and verify their mortgage servicer participates. Required paperwork includes mortgage statements, bank statements, utility bills, and proof of income. Homeowner insurance claims or FEMA applications may be required, depending on the circumstances.

The state provides comprehensive support through a dedicated hotline at l-800-501-0019, operating 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, offering in-depth assistance with application preparation and completion.

Housing and Urban Development-certified housing counseling agencies also provide free support and services.

Complete program information, eligibility requirements, and the online application are available at CalAssistMortgageFund.org. Given limited funding and first-come, first-served processing, qualified homeowners should act promptly.