The Virginia Legal Aid Society (VLAS) is reaching out to low- and moderate-income homeowners who are having difficulty keeping up with their mortgage payments. Dec. 30 is the deadline to apply for federal Making Home Affordable programs, including HAMP. This program ends in 2016, and the Dec. 30 deadline is homeowners’ last chance to apply for this important program.

HAMP is the cornerstone of the Making Home Affordable program launched by the federal government in 2009. HAMP lowers monthly mortgage payments for eligible homeowners to a more affordable and sustainable monthly payment for the long-term and helps people stay in their homes.

Housing improvement and preservation is one of the core programs run by VLAS, a nonprofit law firm that provides legal information, advice and representation in civil cases to underprivileged individuals and families in Southside, as well as the Western Tidewater and Central Virginia regions. To contact VLAS, call 866-534-5243 (866-LEGL-AID), 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday.

To apply for HAMP before it ends, homeowners must submit the following items by the Dec. 30 deadline:

• A “Request for Mortgage Assistance” (RMA) form

• IRS Form 4506T, 4506T-EZ, or a signed copy of last year’s tax return

• The “Dodd-Frank Certification” (which may be part of the RMA)

• Proof of income (two months pay stubs, bank statements, etc.)

Homeowners can get these forms and more information at www.makinghomeaffordable.gov or call the HAMP hotline at 888-995-HOPE (4673).  Act quickly and watch out for scams — do not pay anyone to apply for this assistance. Get help applying from a free HUD-certified housing counselor. Find one at http://www.consumerfinance.gov/find-a-housing-counselor/.

Homeowners can also call VLAS for free assistance, but must act quickly.