Welcome home. After months of deployment, the last thing you want to think about is paperwork. But understanding how your SCRA protections change after deployment can save you from financial surprises.

Some protections end immediately. Others continue for months or even years. Here's what you need to know.

Protections That Continue After Deployment

Foreclosure Protection

Extended protection: 12 months after you return from deployment (or separate from active duty)

Your mortgage servicer still cannot foreclose without a court order for a full year after your deployment ends. Use this time to:

  • Catch up on any missed payments
  • Refinance if beneficial
  • Stabilize your finances

Default Judgment Protection

Extended protection: 90 days after deployment ends

You have 90 days to:

  • Reopen any default judgments entered during your deployment
  • Challenge legal actions taken while you were unable to respond
  • Address any court matters that proceeded without your knowledge

Insurance Reinstatement

Extended protection: 2 years after deployment ends

You can reinstate:

  • Lapsed life insurance policies
  • Health insurance coverage
  • Professional liability insurance

Reinstatement must be offered without:

  • New waiting periods
  • Exclusions for pre-existing conditions
  • Increased premiums due to military service

Protections That End When Deployment Ends

6% Interest Rate Cap

Ends: When you return to non-deployed status (or separate from active duty)

What to expect:

  • Interest rates return to your original contractual rate
  • Monthly payments will increase
  • No additional refunds for the deployment period (you should have already received these)

Action needed: Budget for higher payments starting immediately after deployment ends.

Eviction Protection

Ends: When deployment/active duty ends

Your landlord can now pursue eviction through normal legal channels if there are grounds.

Repossession Protection

Ends: When deployment/active duty ends

Creditors no longer need court orders to repossess. If you're behind on payments, address this immediately.

Post-Deployment Financial Checklist

Week 1: Review Your Accounts

  • [ ] Check all bank accounts for any issues during deployment
  • [ ] Review all credit card statements
  • [ ] Check credit reports for any unexpected activity
  • [ ] Verify all SCRA rate caps were properly applied during deployment

Week 2: Prepare for Rate Changes

  • [ ] Calculate new monthly payments at original interest rates
  • [ ] Update your budget to account for higher payments
  • [ ] Consider paying down high-interest debt before rates increase
  • [ ] Look into refinancing options if rates have dropped

Week 3: Address Any Issues

  • [ ] Contact creditors about any problems discovered
  • [ ] Dispute any incorrect charges
  • [ ] Request any missing refunds for the deployment period
  • [ ] Resolve any legal matters that arose during deployment

Week 4: Plan Forward

  • [ ] Set up automatic payments at new amounts
  • [ ] Review insurance policies and reinstate if needed
  • [ ] Update beneficiaries and emergency contacts
  • [ ] Schedule any needed legal consultations

Special Situations

Extended Deployment or Multiple Deployments

If you deploy again before protections expire, the clock resets. Each period of deployment creates its own protection window.

Transitioning to Civilian Life

If you're separating from the military after deployment:

  • All protections follow the "after active duty" timeline
  • You have 180 days to request any outstanding rate cap refunds
  • Consider your financial transition plan carefully

Continuing Active Duty (Non-Deployed)

If you're returning to garrison but remaining on active duty:

  • The 6% rate cap continues
  • All active duty protections remain in place
  • No immediate changes needed

Financial Planning After Deployment

Managing the Payment Increase

When your interest rates return to normal, your payments could increase significantly. Strategies to manage this:

  • Pay down principal during deployment—lower balances mean lower payments even at higher rates
  • Build emergency savings—use deployment savings to create a buffer
  • Consider balance transfers—move high-rate credit card debt to lower-rate options
  • Refinance where possible—today's rates might be better than your original rate

Using the Extended Protection Period

The 12 months of foreclosure protection and 90 days of judgment protection aren't just safety nets—they're opportunities:

  • Negotiate with creditors while you still have leverage
  • Catch up on any delayed payments
  • Resolve legal matters before full exposure

Getting Help

Post-deployment financial issues are common. Resources available to you:

  • Military OneSource: Free financial counseling
  • Base Legal Assistance: Help with SCRA questions and creditor disputes
  • Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society / Army Emergency Relief: Emergency financial assistance
  • VA Financial Counseling: If transitioning to civilian life

The Bottom Line

Deployment is behind you, but your financial protections don't end at the border. Use the extended protection periods wisely, prepare for the changes ahead, and don't hesitate to get help if you need it.

You served well. Now serve your financial future.