ConsumerWatch: Current & Former Homeowners Getting Federal Help On Foreclosure

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5) --  Homeowners who lost their homes to foreclosure in 2009 or 2010 are getting more time to apply for an Independent Foreclosure Review.

The program is being overseen by the U.S. Treasury Department, and is intended to identify errors in the foreclosure process. Only 90,000 eligible homeowners have submitted claims since the government set up the program with 14 mortgage servicers last April. So, the feds have extended the deadline until July 31.

The review is free and affected homeowners could get refunds or reimbursements if errors are found.

Meanwhile, homeowners struggling with their mortgage payments, as well as those who have lost their homes to foreclosure, can start taking steps to get their share of the National Mortgage Settlement that was reached two weeks ago, and officially goes into effect March 1st.

The banks involved in the deal with 49 states say struggling homeowners can start applying for loan modifications with their lenders now.  Homeowners can also go through a HUD approved Housing counseling agency.

Homeowners who lost their homes to foreclosure, and may be eligible for payments of $2,000, can start applying on March 1st.

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