The COVID-19 pandemic is putting a lot of Americans under serious financial strain—and in an effort to relieve some of that strain, homeowners across the country are looking for mortgage relief. And for those homeowners, there are a few different options available—namely mortgage forbearance and mortgage deferment.

But what, exactly, is the difference?

A recent article from realtor.com outlined the key differences between mortgage forbearance and mortgage deferment. According to the article, while both strategies allow homeowners to suspend mortgage payments for a period of time, the main difference is what happens at the end of that suspension period.

With mortgage forbearance, any payments that were missed are due in a lump sum at the end of the forbearance period. With mortgage deferment, lenders allow borrowers to either pay back the owed money over time or add the missed payments to the end of their loan.

If you’re concerned about your ability to make your mortgage payments, the most important thing to do is to talk to your lender. In the midst of the pandemic, most lenders are working with their borrowers to find solutions and offering more flexible forbearance and deferment programs—so get in touch, explain your situation, and find out what your options are. But do make sure you understand the terms they are offering you, and when and how the money you owe will need to be paid back.