My Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) was reduced or frozen. What can I do to have the credit line reinstated?
Federal law provides two options.
- The lender can require that you request reinstatement of your original credit line when the circumstances permitting the reduction or freeze no longer exist. In this case, the lender must tell you how to request such reinstatement. If your bank notified you of the process for requesting reinstatement of your credit line, you should follow that process. If you are uncertain about the information your bank requires, you should contact the bank. However, be prepared for the bank to require you to arrange for an updated appraisal, at your cost.
- The lender can monitor the HELOC to determine whether the circumstances permitting the reduction or suspension continue to exist and should restore the credit line when the circumstances permitting the reduction or freeze no longer exist. If the bank is monitoring the HELOC, you do not have to request reinstatement of the original credit line.
Last Reviewed: April 2021
Please note: The terms "bank" and "banks" used in these answers generally refer to national banks, federal savings associations, and federal branches or agencies of foreign banking organizations that are regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). Find out if the OCC regulates your bank. Information provided on HelpWithMyBank.gov should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion of the OCC.