Reverse mortgage counseling with a counselor approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can give you information on how to use your home equity to stay in your home. Counseling is offered over the telephone and may be available face-to-face.

If you own your home, it is likely to be your biggest financial asset. An approved housing counselor can help you and your family decide if a reverse mortgage is right for you. Counselors give you unbiased information before or after you talk to a lender. They will tell you about the cost and features of a reverse mortgage, and other financing options. Counselors review your situation and the challenges of living at home that can affect whether a reverse mortgage can meet your current and long-term needs.

There is an upfront fee for this service that is usually paid at the time of counseling. This fee may be waived if you are an older adult who is facing financial hardships.

How do I get help?

Older homeowners thinking about a reverse mortgage can get one-on-one counseling through a partnership between National Council on Aging (NCOA) and GreenPath Financial Wellness, a nonprofit organization approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide housing counseling. Counseling sessions take 1 to 2 hours and follow a mandated protocol. The counselors can also help clients with finding benefits and community services. To schedule a counseling session with NCOA/GreenPath, call 800-550-1961 (toll-free). You can also get help from a HUD-approved counselor in your area.