Christy Hancock Quoted in National Mortgage News on Senate-Approved Budget Bill

Bradley attorney Christy Hancock was quoted in National Mortgage News discussing the significance of the changes in the Senate-approved budget-extender bill that includes the “Improvements to Partial Claim Program.”

The VA’s version of the partial-claim program is a “one-and-done” model, meaning borrowers generally can receive only one partial claim except under special circumstances, such as a natural disaster.

One key change extends the deadline for filing a second partial claim, from 120 days to 180 days, when a homeowner with a VA-guaranteed loan is affected by a natural disaster.

“It is helpful for servicers, albeit not earth-shattering,” Hancock said. “This is also not likely to be a needle-mover for consumers; few, if any, worry about how a potential default is handled.”

On the positive side, Hancock noted that anything helping struggling consumers is beneficial. “From the servicer’s perspective, they like to have as many tools as they possibly can to help people, and this extends one of those tools, so it’s positive in that sense,” she said.

Hancock also cautioned that “the tools to help in these areas are not as robust as those for conforming or the FHA program,” adding that the VA program still has fewer or weaker tools compared with other loan types.

The full article, “Senate-approved budget bill adds VA partial claims extension,” was published by National Mortgage News on Nov. 12, 2025. (login required)