Yes, you can defer a mortgage payment, but the lender decides whether to allow it

Deferring a mortgage payment means postponing one or more monthly payments instead of paying them on their regular due date. The deferred amount doesn't disappear—your lender typically adds it to the end of your loan, extending your payoff date, or rolls it into a modified payment plan. Whether your lender will agree depends on your loan type, your payment history, and the reason you're asking. Some lenders have formal deferment programs; others handle requests case by case.

The key difference between deferment and forbearance is timing and structure. Forbearance pauses or reduces payments temporarily while you work through hardship; deferment moves payments to later in the loan. Both require your lender's written approval, and both affect your credit and loan balance differently depending on how they're structured.

Key Takeaways

  • Mortgage deferment moves your payment to a later date or adds it to the end of your loan, but you must request it in writing and receive written approval from your lender before the payment is due.
  • Conventional loans, FHA loans, VA loans, and USDA loans each have different deferment rules, so your loan type determines what options exist.
  • Deferment may be reported to credit bureaus as a deferred payment, which can lower your credit score, but it is less damaging than a missed payment or late fee.
  • If your lender denies deferment, forbearance, loan modification, or refinancing may still be available, depending on your circumstances and loan type.

How deferment works with different loan types

FHA loans (insured by the Federal Housing Administration) allow deferment under their Loss Mitigation program. If you're experiencing hardship, you can request to defer up to three months of payments. The deferred amount is typically added to the end of your loan or rolled into a modified payment plan. You must contact your servicer (the company that collects your payments) in writing or by phone to start the process.

VA loans (for military members and veterans) offer a similar structure through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Servicers can defer payments for borrowers in temporary hardship, though the exact terms depend on your servicer. VA loans generally have more flexible loss mitigation options than conventional loans, but you still need written approval.

USDA loans (for rural homebuyers) allow deferment for borrowers facing temporary hardship. Like FHA loans, deferred payments are typically added to the loan term. Contact your USDA servicer to request deferment in writing.

Conventional loans (not backed by a government agency) have no standardized deferment program. Some lenders offer it as a courtesy or as part of a loan modification, but it is not may provide. Your approval depends entirely on your lender's policies and your payment history. Always ask your servicer directly whether deferment is an option.

The application process and timeline

Contact your loan servicer—the company whose name appears on your payment coupon or billing statement—as soon as you know you cannot make a payment. Do not wait until the payment is due. Request deferment in writing by email, certified mail, or through your servicer's online portal, and keep a copy of your request and the date you sent it.

Your servicer will ask for documentation of hardship: recent pay stubs, a letter explaining the hardship, proof of income loss, medical bills, or other evidence that you are experiencing temporary financial difficulty. Provide everything they request within the timeframe they give you—usually 10 to 15 days.

The review process typically takes 15 to 45 days. During this time, your servicer should not report you as late to credit bureaus if your request is pending and you have provided all required documents. Once approved, you will receive a written agreement stating how many payments are deferred, when they are due, and how they will be repaid (added to the loan term, rolled into a new payment plan, or paid in a lump sum at a later date).

What happens to your credit and loan balance

A deferred payment that is approved in advance and documented in writing typically does not trigger a late payment report to credit bureaus. However, the deferment itself may be reported as a deferred payment or as part of a loss mitigation action, which can lower your credit score by 50 to 100 points depending on your credit profile and the reporting bureau's model.

Your loan balance grows because the deferred payment is added to what you owe. If you defer three payments of $1,500 each, you owe an additional $4,500 (plus any interest accrued during deferment, depending on your loan terms). This extends your payoff date unless the deferment agreement specifies a balloon payment or a modified repayment schedule that keeps your loan term the same.

If deferment is denied and you miss a payment anyway, the damage is much worse: a 30-day late payment stays on your credit report for seven years and typically costs 100 to 150 points. Always pursue deferment or forbearance in writing before missing a payment.

When deferment is denied and what to do next

If your servicer denies deferment, ask in writing why it was denied and what other options are available. Common reasons for denial include a recent late payment, insufficient income documentation, or a loan type that does not support deferment. Do not assume the denial is final.

Forbearance is often approved when deferment is not. Forbearance temporarily reduces or pauses your payment for 3 to 12 months while you recover financially. At the end of forbearance, you resume full payments, often with a catch-up plan. Forbearance is reported to credit bureaus similarly to deferment but may be easier to obtain.

Loan modification changes the terms of your loan—extending the term, lowering the interest rate, or changing the loan type—to reduce your monthly payment permanently. This is a longer process (60 to 90 days) but results in a lower payment going forward. Ask your servicer whether you may have access to for a modification under the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) or your lender's own modification program.

Refinancing replaces your current loan with a new one, ideally at a lower interest rate or longer term. This requires a credit check and income verification, and you must have enough equity in your home. Refinancing is not a quick fix if you need immediate payment relief, but it can lower your payment long-term if rates have dropped or your credit has improved.

How to request deferment in writing

Send a letter or email to your servicer's loss mitigation department. Include your loan number, your name, the address of the property, the reason for your hardship, the number of payments you want to defer, and your contact information. Keep the tone factual and professional; emotional appeals do not speed approval.

Example language: "I am requesting deferment of my mortgage payment for [month/year] due to [reason: job loss, medical emergency, reduced income]. I have attached documentation of my hardship and my current income. Please advise whether deferment is available under my loan terms and what additional information you need."

Send the letter by certified mail with return receipt requested, or use your servicer's online portal if one exists. Take a screenshot or print a confirmation of submission. Follow up by phone one week later to confirm receipt and ask for an expected decision date. Document the name of the person you spoke with and the date of the call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deferring a payment hurt my credit score?

Deferment approved in advance typically does not trigger a late payment report, but it may be reported as a loss mitigation action, which can lower your score by 50 to 100 points. A missed payment without approval is far worse—it costs 100 to 150 points and stays on your report for seven years. Always request deferment before missing a payment.

Can I defer multiple payments at once?

Most programs allow deferment of up to three months of payments, though some lenders may allow more. The deferred amount is added to your loan balance and repaid over time. Ask your servicer what the maximum deferment period is for your specific loan.

What if I cannot afford the deferred payments when they come due?

If deferment is added to the end of your loan, you do not owe a lump sum—the payments are spread across the extended loan term. If deferment is rolled into a modification, your new payment is calculated to be affordable. If you still cannot pay when the time comes, contact your servicer immediately to discuss forbearance or another modification.

Do I have to pay interest on deferred payments?

Interest accrual during deferment depends on your loan agreement. Some loans continue to accrue interest on deferred amounts; others do not. Your deferment approval letter will specify whether interest is charged. Ask your servicer to clarify this before you agree to deferment.

Can I defer a payment if I am already late?

It is harder but sometimes possible. If you are 30 days late, some lenders will still consider deferment as part of a loss mitigation plan, but approval is less likely. If you are 60 or more days late, your options narrow to forbearance or modification. Contact your servicer immediately to discuss what is available.