VA Partial Claim Program 2026: New Help for Veterans at Risk of Foreclosure
On June 15, 2026, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs launched the VA Partial Claim Program — a significant new foreclosure prevention tool created by the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act. If you're a veteran with a VA loan who's fallen behind on payments, this program could be a lifeline. As a U.S. Army veteran and REALTOR® who helps military families navigate homeownership, I want to make sure every veteran knows this option exists.
What Is the VA Partial Claim Program?
The VA Partial Claim Program allows your loan servicer to bring a delinquent VA loan current by advancing your missed payments as an interest-free, repayable lien on your property. The critical benefit: your monthly payment doesn't increase, and your original loan terms stay exactly the same.
In plain English: if you've fallen behind on your VA mortgage due to a job loss, medical issue, deployment-related disruption, or any other hardship, your servicer can now catch up your payments without forcing you into a more expensive loan modification.
How It Works
You Contact Your Servicer
If you're behind on your VA mortgage payments, reach out to your loan servicer to discuss options. Don't wait — the sooner you act, the more options you'll have.
Servicer Advances Missed Payments
Your servicer advances the past-due amount (up to 25% of the unpaid principal balance, or 30% for COVID-impacted loans) as a separate, interest-free lien.
Your Loan Is Brought Current
Your VA loan is brought current, and you resume making your original monthly payment — no increase, no new terms, no extended loan life.
Repay Later
The advanced amount sits as a lien on your property and is repaid when you sell, refinance, or pay off the loan — similar to how a subordinate lien works.
Who Is Eligible?
The program is available to veterans with VA-backed home loans who are delinquent on their mortgage payments. Key eligibility points include:
- You have a VA-backed home loan (purchase or IRRRL)
- Your loan is delinquent (behind on payments)
- You're experiencing a documented financial hardship
- You're working with your loan servicer to resolve the delinquency
Why This Matters for Veterans
Financial hardships can happen to anyone — job loss, medical emergencies, unexpected expenses, or the complexities of transitioning between military and civilian life. Before the Partial Claim Program, veterans facing delinquency had fewer options that didn't increase their monthly burden.
This program is especially important in markets like Santa Clarita and Southern California, where housing costs are significant and the stakes of losing a home are high. For veterans who've used their VA benefit to purchase a home, the Partial Claim Program provides a way to stay in that home without taking on additional financial stress.
How This Fits Into VA Loan Benefits
The Partial Claim Program is the latest in a series of VA loan improvements in 2026. Here's the full picture:
- Loan limits increased to $832,750 — more buying power for veterans with partial entitlement
- Funding Fee now tax-deductible — reducing the cost of your VA loan
- Partial Claim Program launched — new foreclosure prevention tool
Together, these changes make 2026 one of the strongest years for VA loan benefits in recent history. The VA continues to invest in the men and women who served our country — and that's something every veteran should know about.
"If you're a veteran struggling to make your mortgage payment, please know there are options. Don't wait until it's too late — reach out to your loan servicer or let me connect you with resources that can help."
Sources: Information in this article is drawn from VA.gov, Military.com, the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act, Asurity regulatory updates, NAR Washington Report, and Air Force Benefits — all published in May–July 2026. The VA Partial Claim Program launched June 15, 2026. Contact your VA loan servicer for eligibility details.
Sam Silver
U.S. Army Veteran · AI-Certified REALTOR® · 22+ Years Experience
Equity Union Real Estate · CalDRE #01412755
Veterans — I'm Here to Help
Whether you need VA loan guidance, are at risk of foreclosure, or are looking to buy or sell a home — as a fellow veteran, I understand what you're going through.