Announcement 18-0014: Government Shutdown – Temporary Instructions

Overview

Effective 12/26/18

As a result of the Federal Government shutdown, Carrington Mortgage Services announces the following temporary guidance for information purposes. Standard guidelines will be reinstated once the government shutdown ends.

Some Government services will continue to be operational, but we may expect delays.

Agency specifics:

FHA services still available

• Customer Service (aka: 1-800-CALL-FHA) will be available only for general questions with longer wait times
• Insurance Endorsements
• FHA Connection (FHAC), including obtaining an FHA Case Number
• Case number cancellations, reinstatements and transfers
• Resolution of the Holds Tracking queue
• Credit Alert Verification Reporting System (CAIVRS) will be available, however, FHA may not be able to ensure that the information contained in the system is up-to-date
• TOTAL Mortgage Scorecard evaluations
• Electronic Appraisal Delivery (EAD) Portal

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Carrington Flexible Advantage and VA

• No major impact other than CMS guidance as follows

CMS temporary guidance as impacted by shut down
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will be unable to issue tax return transcripts

• The Underwriter will condition for the processed 4506t tax transcripts
• Loans with income discrepancies must be resolved prior to CMS issuing a Clear to Close (CTC)
• The completed and signed 4506T forms will still be required at time of loan delivery to CMS

Social Security Administration

• When SSA data integrity issues are identified, the SSA Form 89 will be conditioned as a PTP

National Flood Insurance Program

• No new policies will be issued through NFIP
• Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, VA and CFA will accept private flood insurance
  • Obtain the private flood insurance binder meeting all policy requirements
  • Or obtain a completed NFIP Flood Insurance application in addition to proof of the borrower’s paid premium
• FHA does not accept private flood insurance

Verbal VOEs for Federal Employees

• CMS will add VVOE condition as a PTP