Circulars: Calendar Years 2021 to Present
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2023
Circular 26-23-23 – Nov 8, 2023 | Exhibit A | Staff Appraisal Reviewer (SAR) Application and FeesPURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular is to announce that the Lender’s Staff Appraisal Reviewer (SAR) Application, VA Form 26-0785; Servicer Staff Appraisal Reviewer (SAR) Application, VA Form 26-0829; and $100 application fee should no longer be submitted to the Administrative and Loan Accounting Center (ALAC) physical address for fee payment processing. The application and fees will be submitted to VA electronically.
Circular 26-23-16 (Change 1) – Nov 3, 2023Special Relief Following Hawaii WildfiresPURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular is to extend the foreclosure moratorium for loans affected by the Hawaii Wildfires.
Circular 26-23-21 – Oct 12, 2023Regional Loan Center (RLC) Outlook Mailbox Transition to ServiceNowPURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular is to notify participants of the VA Home Loan program such as Lenders, Servicers, Veterans and other external stakeholders that RLC-based Outlook mailboxes used for submitting customer service inquiries or program specific questions to Construction and Valuation (C&V) and Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) personnel will be decommissioned and transitioned to a ServiceNow Portal. The link for the ServiceNow portal, along with contact information for other areas of LGY, can be found here: https://www.benefits.va.gov/HOMELOANS/contact.asp.
Circular 26-23-12 (Change 1) – Oct 2, 2023VA’s COVID-19 Home Retention Waterfall and COVID-19 Refund ModificationPURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular is to clarify how servicers should evaluate a borrower for a COVID-19 Refund Modification under Step B of the COVID-19 Home Retention Waterfall.
Circular 26-23-19 – Oct 2, 2023VA Funding Fee Exemption and Refund Procedures for LendersPURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular is to clarify procedures related to The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) funding fee exemption determinations and how refund requests should be submitted.
Circular 26-23-17 – Sep 29, 2023Information on VA Loan Originations and Special Relief for Borrowers During a Federal Government ShutdownPURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular is to provide clarity regarding the impact of a Federal Government shutdown on new and existing VA- guaranteed home loans.
Circular 26-22-16 (Change 1) – Sep 11, 2023Full File Loan Review (FFLR) Stacking Order UpdatePURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular is to remove the “Pricing Sheet” from the stacking order for loans selected for FFLR.
Circular 26-23-16 – Aug 18, 2023Special Relief Following Hawaii WildfiresPURPOSE: This Circular expresses concern about the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan borrowers affected by the Hawaii Wildfires, and describes measures mortgagees may employ to provide relief. FEMA will continue to update the list of counties impacted on their website here: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/declarations. Mortgage servicers and borrowers alike should review VA’s Guidance on Natural Disasters to ensure Veterans receive the assistance they need.
Circular 26-23-14 – Jul 31, 2023Updates to VA Lender Forms 26-8736 and 26-8736cPURPOSE: To advise stakeholders that VA Form 26-8736, Application for Authority to Close Loans on the Automatic Basis – Non-Supervised Lenders, was revised. Additionally, VA is introducing a new form, VA 26-8736c, Request for Agent Recognition.
Circular 26-23-13 – Jul 24, 2023Liquidation Appraisal Interior Access AttemptsPURPOSE: To announce changes to VA’s procedural requirements regarding VA Fee Appraiser’s responsibility to gain interior access for liquidation appraisal assignments when the subject property is occupied.
Circular 26-23-12 – Jul 19, 2023 | Exhibit A | VA’s COVID-19 Home Retention Waterfall and COVID-19 Refund ModificationPURPOSE: To update servicers on how to assist borrowers following termination of the COVID-19 National Emergency.
Circular 26-23-11 -June 6, 2023Regional Loan Center Outlook mailbox transition to ServiceNOWPURPOSE: Notify participants in the home loan program that regional loan center mailboxes used to submit customer service inquiries are transitioning to SerivceNOW Portal.
Circular 26-21-7 (Change 3) – May 26, 2023Loan Repayment Relief for Borrowers Affected by COVID-19PURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular is to extend the rescission date of Circular 26-21-07, Change 2.
Circular 26-23-10 – May 22, 2023 | Exhibit A | Exhibit BVA Assumption UpdatesPURPOSE: To clarify assumption procedures and republish the stacking order for Assumptions with VA-Prior Approval, Assumptions without Substitution of Entitlement, Assumptions with Substitution of Entitlement, and Assumption Appeals.
Circular 26-23-8 – April 21, 2023Forbearance Timeframe Extension for Borrowers Affected by COVID-19PURPOSE: Through this Circular, VA is providing an update to the timeframe borrowers can request a COVID-related forbearance from their mortgage servicer. This guidance is necessary given the April 10, 2023, end date of the COVID-19 Presidentially Declared National Emergency.
Circular 26-20-16 (Change 1) – March 24, 2023Guidance for Noncompliant Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans (IRRRLs)PURPOSE: This change extends rescission date of Circular 26-20-16 and Exhibit A to “valid until rescinded”.
Circular 26-23-6 – February 14, 2023 | Exhibit A | Exhibit BFunding Fee Charge UpdatePURPOSE: To announce a scheduled change to VA funding fee rates for loans closed on or after April 7, 2023, as listed on the loan fee table located in 38 U.S.C. §3729(b)(2).
Circular 26-23-3 (Change 1) – January 27, 2023Updates to VA Forms 26-1820 and 26-1802aPURPOSE: This change extends the effective date of Circular 26-23-3 to April 1, 2023.
Circular 26-23-4 (Change 1) – January 26, 2023Updates to VA Form 26-6393PURPOSE: This change extends the effective date of Circular 26-23-4 to April 1, 2023
Circular 26-23-5 – January 18, 2023Oversight of Appraisal Reports to Promote Fair Housing for All Veterans Obtaining Loans Backed by the Department of Veterans AffairsPURPOSE: Announces enhanced oversight procedures that will better enable VA to identify discriminatory bias in home loan appraisals and act against participants who illegally discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), age, familial status, or disability.
Circular 26-23-4 – January 17, 2023Updates to VA Form 26-6393, VA Loan AnalysisPURPOSE: This Circular announces updates to VA Form 26-6393 (VA Loan Analysis)
Circular 26-23-3 – January 17, 2023Updates to VA Forms 26-1820 and 26-1802aPURPOSE: Advises stakeholders that VA Form 26-1820 (Report and Certification of Loan Disbursement) has been revised. Additionally, VA 26-1802a (HUD/VA Addendum to the Uniform Residential Loan Application) has been discontinued.
Circular 26-23-2 – January 5, 2023Updates to VA Eligibility Request Forms 26-1880 and 26-1817PURPOSE: Advises stakeholders that VA Form 26-1880 (Request for a Certificate of Eligibility) and VA Form 26-1817 (Request for Determination of Loan Guaranty Eligibility – Unmarried Surviving Spouses) have been revised.
Circular 26-23-1 – January 3, 2023Deactivation of Inactive LGY Hub AccountsPURPOSE: Reminds all registered users of the VA Loan Guaranty Service (LGY) Hub that inactive accounts will be deactivated.
2022
Circular 26-22-18 – December 5, 2022Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Announces 2023 Conforming Loan LimitsPURPOSE: On November 29, 2022, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced the maximum conforming loan limits (CLL), also known as Freddie Mac CLL, for 2023.
Circular 26-22-17 – November 25, 2022Private Roads and Shared DrivewaysPURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular is to announce changes to VA’s procedural requirements related to the acceptability of private roads and shared driveways for VA lending purposes.
Circular 26-21-20 Change 1 – September 15, 2022Approving Forbearance Requests for Borrowers Affected by COVID-19PURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular is to extend the rescission date to align with the end of the National Emergency Concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic, including conforming changes to VA’s expectation as to the completion of forbearance periods.
Circular 26-22-16 – September 15, 2022 | Exhibit A | Exhibit BFull File Loan Review (FFLR) Stacking Order UpdatePURPOSE: To advise that starting December 1, 2022, lenders are to include the Uniform Loan Application Dataset (ULAD), and the Uniform Closing Dataset (UCD) when a loan is selected for Full File Loan Reviews (FFLR). VA is also updating the stacking order and list of loan origination documents to be provided by the lender when submitting the file to VA for audit purposes.
Circular 26-22-15 – September 9, 2022Request for Reasonable Value Ordering Data FieldsPURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular is to inform the lending industry of updates to the WebLGY Request Single Property Appraisal user interface (UI) consistent with recent revisions to VA Form 26-1805.
Circular 26-21-17 Change 1 – August 10, 2022COVID-19 Veterans Assistance Partial Claim Payment ProgramPURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular is to extend the rescission date of the original Circular.
Circular 26-22-11 Change 1 – July 28, 2022Pest Inspection Fees and Repair CostsPURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular is to update the footnote for the Termite Infestation Probability map in section 2.
Circular 26-22-13 – July 28, 2022 | Exhibit A | Exhibit BProcedures for Alternative Valuation MethodsPURPOSE: This Circular clarifies when an appraisal is required for VA-guaranteed loans and announces new procedures for alternative valuation methods.
Circular 26-22-12 – June 23, 2022Certificate of Eligibility Funding Fee Status Update For Active-Duty Service Members With Pending Pre-Discharge ClaimsPURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular is to announce an update to the funding fee status on Certificates of Eligibility (COE) where the lender has submitted VA Form 26-8937, Verification of VA Benefits, for an active-duty Service member who indicates they have a pre-discharge disability claim pending with VA.
Circular 26-22-11 – June 15, 2022Pest Inspection Fees and Repair CostsPURPOSE: Addresses the Department of Veterans Affairs policies regarding wood destroying pest inspection fees and repair costs.
Circular 26-22-10 – June 23, 2022United States Space Force Certificate of Eligibility UpdatePURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular is to announce Certificate of Eligibility (COE) enhancements to include the United States Space Force (USSF) as a branch of service.Circular 26-22-9 – May 19, 2022New Procedures for Loans where the Borrower Has a VA-appointed Fiduciary and for Loans Commonly Called “Joint Loans”PURPOSE: This Circular announces new procedures for loan approval where the borrower has a VA-appointed fiduciary. It also announces new procedures for processing joint loans, both at the loan approval stage and when the lender reports the loan to VA for evidence of guaranty.
Circular 26-22-5 – April 7, 2022Full File Loan Review (FFLR) Update to Include Optional ULAD and UCDPURPOSE: The purpose of this circular is to inform lenders of VA system enhancements, and a new optional procedure in which lenders may upload the Uniform Closing Dataset (UCD) and Uniform Loan Application Dataset (ULAD) for loans selected for VA full file loan review (FFLR).
Circular 26-22-4 – March 29, 2022VA Form 26-1805 UpdatePURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular to advise the lending industry that VA Form 26-1805 has been updated.
Circular 26-20-10 Change 3 – March 22, 2022Updated Lender Guidance for Borrowers Affected Financially by the COVID-19 National EmergencyPURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular is to extend the rescission date.
Circular 26-21-7 Change 2 – February 28, 2022Loan Repayment Relief for Borrowers Affected by COVID-19PURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular is to extend the rescission date of the original Circular.
Circular 26-22-2 – January 7, 2022VA Form 26-0592 UpdatePURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular to advise the lending industry that VA Form 26-0592 has been updated.
Circular 26-22-1 – January 3, 2022Special Relief Following Colorado Wildfires and Straight-Line windsPURPOSE: This Circular expresses concern about the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan borrowers affected by the Colorado Wildfires and Straight-Line Winds, and describes measures mortgagees may employ to provide relief.
2021
Circular 26-19-31 Change 1 – December 22, 2021Assisted Appraisal Processing Program (AAPP)PURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular is to extend the rescission date of Circular 26-19-31 to January 1, 2024.
Circular 26-21-27 – December 21, 2021Property Inspection Requirements for COVID-19 Forbearance CasesPURPOSE: In response to the COVID-19 national emergency, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) suspended certain property inspection requirements on June 8, 2020. The purpose of this Circular is to extend the suspension.
Circular 26-21-26 – December 17, 2021 | Exhibit ADetermination of the VA Funding Fee Percentage on Purchase Loans with Down PaymentsPURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular is to clarify processes relating to the determination of the statutory funding fee.
Circular 26-21-25 – December 17, 2021Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Announces 2022 Conforming Loan LimitsPURPOSE: This Circular annouces the November 30, 2021 Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) maximum conforming loan limits (CLL), also known as Freddie Mac CLL, for 2022.
Circular 26-21-23 – December 14, 2021Special Relief Following Kentucky Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding and TornadoesPURPOSE: This Circular expresses concern about the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan borrowers affected by the Kentucky Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding and Tornadoes, and describes measures mortgagees may employ to provide relief.
Circular 26-21-20 – September 29, 2021Forbearance Timeframe Extension for Borrowers Affected by COVID-19PURPOSE: VA is providing an update to the timeframe borrowers can request a COVID-related forbearance from their mortgage servicer. This guidance is necessary given the extended duration of the pandemic.
Circular 26-21-19 – September 29, 2021Loan Deferment as a COVID-19 Home Retention OptionPURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular is to communicate that servicers may continue offering loan deferment as a COVID-19 home retention option, in accordance with VA’s COVID-19 Home Retention Waterfall.
Circular 26-21-17 – September 14, 2021 | Exhibit ACOVID-19 Veterans Assistance Partial Claim Payment ProgramPURPOSE: This Circular provides technical information on how loan servicers can submit a request for a partial claim payment under the COVID-19 Veterans Assistance Partial Claim Payment program (COVID-VAPCP).
Circular 26-21-16 – September 8, 2021Special Relief Following Hurricane IdaPURPOSE: This Circular expresses concern about the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan borrowers affected by Hurricane Ida, and describes measures mortgagees may employ to provide relief. Mortgage servicers and borrowers alike should review VA’s Guidance on Natural Disasters to ensure Veterans receive the assistance they need.
Circular 26-21-15 – September 8, 2021Modernizing the VA Funding Fee Payment and Loan Guaranty Certificate ProcessPURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular is to notify the mortgage industry of the development of a new Loan Guaranty Service (LGY) application programming interface (API) known as the Guaranty Remittance API.
Circular 26-21-14 – July 30, 2021Extended Eviction Relief for Borrowers Affected by COVID-19PURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular is to extend eviction relief.
Circular 26-21-13 – July 23, 2021 | Exhibit A | Exhibit BCOVID-19 Home Retention Waterfall and COVID-19 Refund ModificationPURPOSE: This Circular provides VA’s waterfall of home retention options for helping borrowers affected financially by the COVID-19 pandemic. This Circular also announces the COVID-19 Refund Modification, a type of loan modification specific to those borrowers needing payment reductions when exiting COVID-19 forbearance.
Circular 26-21-11 – July 15, 2021Updated Funding Fee Information for LendersPURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular is to clarify processes relating to the remittance of the statutory funding fee.
Circular 26-20-10 Change 2 – June 29, 2021Updated Lender Guidance for Borrowers Affected Financially by the COVID-19 National EmergencyPURPOSE: VA is publishing this Circular to announce temporary measures for the review of borrower qualifications for a VA-guaranteed home loan when the borrower’s income and the lender’s processing of the home loan have been affected by the ongoing COVID-19 national emergency.
Circular 26-21-10 – June 25, 2021Relief for Borrowers Affected by COVID-19PURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular is to update servicers on how to assist borrowers who are affected by the COVID-19 national emergency. This Circular also announces updates regarding COVID-related forbearances and foreclosure and eviction moratoriums.
Circular 26-21-9 – June 4, 2021Continued Use of VA Form 26-1802a (HUD/VA Addendum to URLA)PURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular is to inform lenders that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will continue to use VA Form 26-1802a, (Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)/VA Addendum to Uniform Residential Loan Application (URLA)).
Circular 26-21-7 Change 1 – June 3, 2021Loan Repayment Relief for Borrowers Affected by COVID-19PURPOSE: Through this Circular, VA is providing an updated summary of the home retention options and alternatives to foreclosure that servicers should utilize to help borrowers affected by the pandemic.
Circular 26-21-8 – April 15, 2021Expanded Home Loan Eligibility Based on Certain National Guard ServicePURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular is to announce expanded eligibility for VA home loan benefits for certain members of the National Guard and to provide guidance on the process for obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
Circular 26-21-7 – March 26, 2021Loan Repayment Relief for Borrowers Affected by COVID-19PURPOSE: Through this Circular, VA is providing an updated summary of the home retention options and alternatives to foreclosure that servicers should utilize to help borrowers affected by the pandemic. This guidance is necessary given the extended duration of the pandemic, recent Presidential actions, and developments in VA’s program.
Circular 26-21-5 – February 16, 2021Extended Foreclosure and Eviction Relief for Borrowers Affected by COVID-19PURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular is to extend foreclosure and eviction relief on properties secured by VA-guaranteed loans, including those previously secured by VA-guaranteed loans but currently in VA’s Real Estate Owned (REO) portfolio.
Circular 26-21-4 – February 16, 2021Approving Forbearance Requests for Veterans Affected by COVID-19PURPOSE: This Circular provides guidance for granting COVID-19 forbearance to Veterans who continue experiencing financial hardships, directly or indirectly, because of the pandemic.
Circular 26-21-3 – February 12, 2021Certificate of Eligibility Enhancements to Streamline Income VerificationPURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular is to announce enhancements to the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for VA’s home loan guaranty program. These enhancements will enable lenders to expedite the loan origination process for certain Veterans who utilize their VA guaranteed loan benefits.
Circular 26-21-2 – January 29, 2021Extended Foreclosure and Eviction Relief for Borrowers Affected by COVID-19PURPOSE: The purpose of this Circular is to extend foreclosure and eviction relief on properties secured by VA-guaranteed loans, including those previously secured by VA-guaranteed loans but currently in VA’s Real Estate Owned (REO) portfolio, through March 31, 2021.
Circular 26-21-1 – January 8, 2021Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Announces 2021 Conforming Loan LimitsBACKGROUND: On November 24, 2020, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced the maximum conforming loan limits (CLL), also known as Freddie Mac CLL, for 2021. In VA’s program, the CLL can impact the entitlement calculation for some Veterans.