Frequently Asked Questions - FHA Connection General Questions

Q1:	Does the FHA Connection have a user manual available?

A1:	There are four resources created to answer questions you may have about the FHA Connection: Frequently Asked Questions - This will answer basic and commonly asked questions about the FHA Connection. Help Screens - Each function has either a Help icon that provides detailed descriptions of the fields and error message or a Help bar that allows you to access a business background, steps for processing, field descriptions, and general help. FHA Connection Guide - This functions as an FHA Connection online manual with detailed training for FHA-approved lenders and service bureaus about the FHA Connection's single family home mortgage insurance functions. Quick Start Guide - This puts concise facts at your fingertips and links to details on using the FHA Connection's over 100 functions and HUD resources.

A1:

There are four resources created to answer questions you may have about the FHA Connection:

Frequently Asked Questions - This will answer basic and commonly asked questions about the FHA Connection.
Help Screens - Each function has either a Help icon that provides detailed descriptions of the fields and error message or a Help bar that allows you to access a business background, steps for processing, field descriptions, and general help.
FHA Connection Guide - This functions as an FHA Connection online manual with detailed training for FHA-approved lenders and service bureaus about the FHA Connection's single family home mortgage insurance functions.
Quick Start Guide - This puts concise facts at your fingertips and links to details on using the FHA Connection's over 100 functions and HUD resources.

Q2:	The help on the FHA Connection does not answer my question, who can I contact for further assistance?

A2:	Questions about the FHA Connection should be directed to the appropriate staff depending on the function being used or the issue you are having with the system. Below is a list of the appropriate staff to contact for the listed function: Multifamily FHA - Multifamily Delinquency and Default Reporting E-mail: MDDR Administration (mddr_help@hud.gov) Phone: (800) 767-7588 Multifamily FHA - Physical Assessment Subsystem E-mail: Real Estate Assessment Center - Technical Assistance Center (REAC_TAC@hud.gov) Phone: (888) 245-4860 Single Family FHA - Lender Assessment E-mail: Real Estate Assessment Center - Technical Assistance Center (REAC_TAC@hud.gov) Phone: (888) 245-4860 Single Family FHA - Claims Processing E-mail: Claims Help Desk (FHA_SFClaims@hud.gov) Single Family FHA - Property Improvement/Manufactured Housing (Title I) E-mail: Financial Operations Center (Title_One_help@hud.gov) Phone: (800) 669-5152 Single Family FHA Connection Administrator E-mail: SFADMIN@hud.gov FHA Resource Center Phone: (800) CALLFHA [(800) 225-5342]

A2:

Questions about the FHA Connection should be directed to the appropriate staff depending on the function being used or the issue you are having with the system. Below is a list of the appropriate staff to contact for the listed function:

Multifamily FHA - Multifamily Delinquency and Default Reporting
E-mail: MDDR Administration (mddr_help@hud.gov)
Phone: (800) 767-7588
Multifamily FHA - Physical Assessment Subsystem
E-mail: Real Estate Assessment Center - Technical Assistance Center (REAC_TAC@hud.gov)
Phone: (888) 245-4860
Single Family FHA - Lender Assessment
E-mail: Real Estate Assessment Center - Technical Assistance Center (REAC_TAC@hud.gov)
Phone: (888) 245-4860
Single Family FHA - Claims Processing
E-mail: Claims Help Desk (FHA_SFClaims@hud.gov)
Single Family FHA - Property Improvement/Manufactured Housing (Title I)
E-mail: Financial Operations Center (Title_One_help@hud.gov)
Phone: (800) 669-5152
Single Family FHA Connection Administrator
E-mail: SFADMIN@hud.gov
FHA Resource Center
Phone: (800) CALLFHA [(800) 225-5342]

Q3:	What are the fees associated with the FHA Connection?

A3:	HUD does not charge for the use of the FHA Connection. However, because FHA Connection communication is over the Internet, a lender must obtain an Internet Service Provider (ISP). Most Internet providers charge a fee for the services they provide.

Q4:	How do I obtain a username and password to access this site?

A4:	Information to apply for an FHA Connection user ID, which is what will be used for the username, can be found in the Registering page. If you have further questions about applying for an FHA Connection user ID, please refer to the Registration and Sign-on section of the Frequently Asked Questions.

Q5:	The system has been running slow or has not been responding. Who should I call to report this?

A5:	If you have noticed an increase in response times or the FHA Connection is not responding, please contact the Department's User Assistance Group by calling 888-297-8689 and selecting option 9 (they are unable to help with any other problems). For all other problems including password, application, and case problems, lenders should contact the FHA Resource Center at (800) CALLFHA [(800) 225-5342]. You may also want to check with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to see if they are experiencing any problems. FHA Connection users reaching the FHA Connection through ECHO or using ECHO's Connection Plus should call ECHO directly when experiencing difficulties. ECHO can be reached at (888) 711-2500.

A5:

If you have noticed an increase in response times or the FHA Connection is not responding, please contact the Department's User Assistance Group by calling 888-297-8689 and selecting option 9 (they are unable to help with any other problems). For all other problems including password, application, and case problems, lenders should contact the FHA Resource Center at (800) CALLFHA [(800) 225-5342]. You may also want to check with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to see if they are experiencing any problems. FHA Connection users reaching the FHA Connection through ECHO or using ECHO's Connection Plus should call ECHO directly when experiencing difficulties. ECHO can be reached at (888) 711-2500.

Q6:	Can the FHA Connection be used to check the LDP list?

A6:	You can click here to access the Limited Denials of Participation (LDP) list. You can also find a link to the LDP list in the FHA Approval Lists page.

Q7:	Can the FHA Connection be used to check the GSA list?

A7:	You can click here to access the System for Award Management (SAM) that is maintained by the United States General Services Administration (GSA). You can also find a link to that system on the FHA Approval Lists page. Please be aware that this is an external system, thus HUD cannot attest to the accuracy of information provided by linked sites. This also means that if you are experiencing difficulties with using that site, we are unable to assist you with those issues.

A7:

You can click here to access the System for Award Management (SAM) that is maintained by the United States General Services Administration (GSA). You can also find a link to that system on the FHA Approval Lists page. Please be aware that this is an external system, thus HUD cannot attest to the accuracy of information provided by linked sites. This also means that if you are experiencing difficulties with using that site, we are unable to assist you with those issues.

Q8:	What is the difference between Title I and Title II lender ID?

A8:	A Title I lender ID is issued to lenders that process or service loans for property improvements and the purchase of manufactured housing. Lenders who are issued a Title II lender ID process or service loans for single family homes. A lender may be approved by HUD for both Title I and Title II. A lender that is approved for both Title I and Title II will have different lender IDs for Title I and Title II.

A8:

A Title I lender ID is issued to lenders that process or service loans for property improvements and the purchase of manufactured housing. Lenders who are issued a Title II lender ID process or service loans for single family homes. A lender may be approved by HUD for both Title I and Title II. A lender that is approved for both Title I and Title II will have different lender IDs for Title I and Title II.

Q9:	I am receiving an error message saying I am "UNAUTHORIZED - PROPER AUTHORIZATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS AREA...". How do I become authorized?

A9:	There are several causes of this error. The two main causes are because the FHA Connection user ID (username) you are entering does not exist or the password being entered does not match the password on file for the FHA Connection user ID. Please contact your FHA Connection Application Coordinator and ask them to verify your FHA Connection user ID. If the FHA Connection user ID is correct, please ask them to reset the password on your FHA Connection user ID. If you are the FHA Connection Application Coordinator, please contact the FHA Resource Center at (800) CALLFHA [(800) 225-5342], or send an e-mail message to SFADMIN@hud.gov and they will be happy to look into the cause and assist you with resolving it. If you send an e-mail message, please include your name, FHA Connection user ID, and your branch's ten digit lender ID so they may be able to assist you.

A9:

There are several causes of this error. The two main causes are because the FHA Connection user ID (username) you are entering does not exist or the password being entered does not match the password on file for the FHA Connection user ID. Please contact your FHA Connection Application Coordinator and ask them to verify your FHA Connection user ID. If the FHA Connection user ID is correct, please ask them to reset the password on your FHA Connection user ID. If you are the FHA Connection Application Coordinator, please contact the FHA Resource Center at (800) CALLFHA [(800) 225-5342], or send an e-mail message to SFADMIN@hud.gov and they will be happy to look into the cause and assist you with resolving it. If you send an e-mail message, please include your name, FHA Connection user ID, and your branch's ten digit lender ID so they may be able to assist you.

Q10:	I do not know who my FHA Connection Application Coordinator is. How can I find out who that is and how to contact them?

A10:	If you are able to sign on to the FHA Connection, you can find out who they are by using the "Coordinators" page on the FHA Connection. To get to that page, please follow these links after you sign on to the FHA Connection: ID Maintenance Coordinators If you are not able to sign on to the FHA Connection, please contact the FHA Resource Center at (800) CALLFHA [(800) 225-5342], or send an e-mail message to SFADMIN@hud.gov and they will be able to determine who in your company is an FHA Connection Application Coordinator. They will need your company's ten digit lender ID to look up the coordinators, so please have it handy if you call or include it in your e-mail message.

A10:

If you are able to sign on to the FHA Connection, you can find out who they are by using the "Coordinators" page on the FHA Connection. To get to that page, please follow these links after you sign on to the FHA Connection:

ID Maintenance
Coordinators

If you are not able to sign on to the FHA Connection, please contact the FHA Resource Center at (800) CALLFHA [(800) 225-5342], or send an e-mail message to SFADMIN@hud.gov and they will be able to determine who in your company is an FHA Connection Application Coordinator. They will need your company's ten digit lender ID to look up the coordinators, so please have it handy if you call or include it in your e-mail message.

Q11:	How can I correct information entered without having to re-enter all of the data?

A11:	Please check that your browser's preferences or options are not configured to check for a newer version of the page every time. If you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer, you may want to check the Advanced options to verify that the "Do not save encrypted pages to disk" option is not set.

Q12:	I need to enter a county code. Where can I find a list of the county codes?

A12:	You can find a list of the county codes in appendex 6 of HUD handbook 8000.1. If you do not have a hardcopy of this handbook, you can view a copy online at the HUDCLIPS website (http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/hudclips/).

Q13:	Our company was informed by Fannie Mae that we need to make an acknowledgement through the FHA Connection before we can use TOTAL Scorecard. How is this done?

A13:	The TOTAL Scorecard Acknowledgement must be done by a person in your company set up as an FHA Connection Application Coordinator. They would find the function to make the Acknowledgement by following these links after they sign on to the FHA Connection: ID Maintenance FHA Connection ID Administration TOTAL Scorecard Acknowledgment