There must be a COVID-19 related financial hardship to qualify. Some examples of COVID-19 related hardships include job loss, reduction in income, increased household costs due to healthcare expenses or the need to care for a family member). A hardship also includes overcrowding in the home or a situation that may prevent the home from being habitable. A room addition might be justified if there’s overcrowding contributing to the potential transmission of the coronavirus. Other home repairs (not cosmetic) are justified if the home requires any major repairs to keep the home habitable and safe through this continuing coronavirus pandemic.

If you bought a home after January 21, 2020, the COVID-19 related hardship must have occurred after the purchase of the home. In other words, if your COVID-19 related hardship occurred prior to the purchase of your home, you likely will not qualify.