Through the Illinois Housing Development Authority’s “Hardest Hit” program, Home Federal Savings and Loan is offering homeowners a chance for temporary mortgage assistance. 

Home Federal is working with IHDA to offer secure electronic document exchange, electronic funds administration and online remote witnessing services to qualified homeowners in the Collinsville and Maryville areas at no cost.

The Illinois Hardest Hit program offers two types of assistance: reinstatement assistance to pay mortgage arrearages, fees and penalties in full; and monthly mortgage payment assistance to pay 100 percent of the mortgage payment owed to a servicer for up to 18 months while the household makes monthly contribution payments to the IHDA. 

Instead of traveling to IDHA’s offices in Springfield so state personnel can witness signatures and verify identity, individuals can go the Federal Home and sign paperwork via Skype connection. They also use secure email services to send IDHA documents and set up an account for IDHA to electronically transfer funds.  

The Illinois Hardest Hit program receives funding from the federal Hardest Hit Fund. Interested homeowners can learn more and apply online at www.illinoishardesthit.org.