Delay certain payments during reserve service
Who may qualify
Certain California militia members called to full-time state or federal service, and other U.S. military reservists called to full-time federal duty for at least 30 straight days.
Which payments
Credit cards, student loans, utilities, certain retail financing, and up to two vehicle loans. Some home loans and property taxes count only if you owned and lived in the home when called to duty.
How to ask
Send a written request and your military orders to the party you owe. A financial institution may ask for income proof. Only payments due after notice can be delayed; request relief within 90 days after the duty period.
How long
The pause ends after your active-duty time plus 60 days or 180 days, whichever comes first. It cannot exceed 180 days in any 365-day period.
Have an out-of-state account? Ask a military legal office whether California's rule applies before changing payments. If foreclosure or repossession is threatened, get help right away. Find military legal help .
Read the full conditions and limits
- Who it covers
- Qualifying California militia members called into state or federal service, and U.S. Armed Forces reservists ordered to federal active duty. Someone else may send the documents for you, but that does not make them eligible for the deferral.
- Service conditions
- Militia members must serve full time on state or federal duty. Other reservists need at least 30 straight days of full-time federal active duty.
- State connection
- The law gives no simple test based on where you live, serve, borrow, or sign a contract. For an account crossing state lines, ask whether California law applies. For covered home loans and property taxes, you must have owned and lived in the home when ordered to duty.
- Who must honor it
- The lender, utility, tax authority, or other party you owe.
- What it covers
- Credit cards, certain retail installment contracts and accounts, up to two vehicle loans, utilities, and student loans. Some mortgages, property taxes, and listed special assessments qualify only for a home you owned and used as your primary residence when ordered to duty. Vehicle leases have a separate rule.
- Relief
- You may delay covered principal and interest payments. During the pause, you cannot be charged nonpayment penalties or additional interest on the deferred amount. Foreclosure or repossession during the pause requires a court order or agreement.
- Timing
- Only payments due after notice qualify. The pause lasts the shorter of 180 days or your active-duty time plus 60 days, with no more than 180 days in any 365-day period. Ask within 90 days after that duty period ends.
- Notice and documents
- Send the party you owe a written or electronic request and a copy of your military orders. A financial institution may also ask for proof that your continuing income, including military pay, is no more than 90% of your pre-duty monthly wages and salary.
- How to use it
- Ask the party you owe where to send the request and orders securely, then keep copies. If foreclosure or repossession is threatened, get legal help before you stop paying.
- Limits
- Payments are delayed, not canceled, and this law does not create another 6% rate. Federal law may affect how it applies. Choosing California, or using a California lender or branch, does not establish coverage. Vehicle leases have a separate rule.