Reverse Mortgage in Pennsylvania

Will a reverse mortgage affect my government benefits?

Loan proceeds are generally not treated as income, but how they interact with needs-based benefits such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income depends on how and when you use the funds. Money kept in a bank account could count as an asset. Social Security and Medicare are generally not affected. Ask your HUD-approved counselor, a benefits specialist or an elder law attorney, and for tax questions talk to a tax professional.

Who can get a HECM reverse mortgage?

The youngest borrower must be 62 or older, the home must be your primary residence and you need substantial equity. The property must meet FHA standards, and eligible types include single-family homes, some two-to-four unit homes you live in, and certain condominiums and manufactured homes. You must also complete HUD-approved counseling and show you can keep paying property taxes, insurance and upkeep. Approval is subject to the lender's review.

What happens to my home when I pass away?

The loan generally becomes due when the last borrower dies or permanently leaves the home. Your heirs can sell the house and keep any proceeds beyond the loan balance, pay off or refinance the loan to keep the property, or turn it over to the lender. Because a HECM is non-recourse, heirs are generally not personally responsible if the home is worth less than the balance owed.