Market Context
Homebuyers across the United States continue to face high upfront costs before they ever reach the closing table. Even when a buyer can qualify for a mortgage, the down payment, reserves and other cash-to-close requirements can delay or block the purchase.
Down payment assistance can help reduce that barrier when the buyer meets program, lender and property requirements. The Progressive UpPayment Program is structured for first-time homebuyers who need help covering part of the required down payment.
What This Program Provides
The Progressive UpPayment Program provides up to $13,500 in down payment assistance.
The program is provided by Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and administered through the National Urban League. The funding source is Progressive Casualty Insurance Company.
Funds may be used toward the down payment on an eligible residential property. The grant is paid directly to a closing agent and is not paid directly to the recipient.
The program is categorized as Upfront Cost Assistance. It is not listed as closing cost assistance, although buyers may still need to review total cash-to-close requirements with their lender and housing counselor.
Program Structure
The Progressive UpPayment Program is a grant, not a loan.
No repayment is required. The program data states there is no expectation of repayment, no lien and no security agreement associated with the grant.
The program does not carry an interest rate because it is not structured as a loan. The applicable interest rate is N/A.
Each grant is awarded “as is” with no warranty or guarantee. The actual grant amount is based on the least of the program maximum, the applicant’s maximum potential grant value or the remaining monthly funds available through the applicable National Urban League affiliate.
Key Numbers
- Maximum assistance: Up to $13,500
- Minimum assistance: Not publicly disclosed
- Minimum borrower contribution: Not publicly disclosed
- $0 down payment allowed: No
- Income limit: Household annual income must be below 500% of the 2026 federal poverty guidelines
- Credit score requirement: N/A
- Mortgage pre-approval timing: Pre-approval letter must be from the past six months
- First-time homebuyer lookback: No ownership interest in another property during the past three years
- Minimum applicant age: At least 18 years old, or the legal age of majority in the applicant’s state
- Program period: Begins May 1, 2026, at 9 a.m. ET and ends Oct. 31, 2026, at 11:59:59 p.m. ET
- Application period listed in steps: Applications accepted from May 1 to Sept. 30, 2026, on a rolling monthly basis
- Minimum number of recipients: At least 200 grant recipients, or a lesser number if fewer applications are submitted
- Application fee: No fee to apply
- Prior grant restriction: Applicant may not have received a grant, award or other monetary assistance through the program in the preceding three years
- Response deadline if selected: Recipient must respond within five business days after notification
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the program’s stated eligibility rules, including:
- Be a first-time homebuyer.
- Have had no ownership interest, sole or joint, in another property during the three years before purchasing the new home.
- Be at least 18 years old, or the legal age of majority in the applicant’s state.
- Be a legal U.S. resident, excluding U.S. territories.
- Have household annual income below 500% of the 2026 federal poverty guidelines.
- Have secured a mortgage pre-approval letter from an institutional lender within the past six months.
- Work with a participating housing counselor before applying.
- Connect with a participating Urban League counselor, even if already working with a HUD-certified counselor outside the Urban League network.
- Not have received a grant, award or other monetary assistance through the program in the preceding three years.
- Not be an employee of the National Urban League, one of its affiliate organizations, Progressive or an immediate family member of those employees.
- Comply with the official terms and conditions and provide required supporting documentation.
There is no credit score requirement listed to qualify for UpPayment. However, the program data notes that a buyer’s credit score can affect the type and amount of mortgage they qualify for.
Property Requirements
Eligible property rules include:
- The home must be a non-commercial residential property.
- The home must be non-mobile.
- The property must be intended as the recipient’s permanent residence.
- The program is listed as national.
- County coverage is listed as all.
- Eligible property types are not publicly disclosed.
- Maximum purchase price is not publicly disclosed.
- Number of units includes single, duplex and triplex.
- First mortgage compatibility is subject to participating lender specifications.
- Approved first mortgage types are listed as “Contact Lender.”
- Buyers may choose any lender or real estate agent.
How the Process Works
- Find a HUD-certified housing counselor from the participating list to begin the process.
- Work with the counselor to determine whether you are eligible and ready to apply.
- Apply for assistance with the help of the counselor. Applications are accepted from May 1 to Sept. 30, 2026, on a rolling monthly basis.
- Each National Urban League affiliate reviews applications in the order received.
- Recipients are selected on a first-come, first-served basis during the program period.
- If funding has already been fully disbursed by an affiliate in a given month, pending applications may be automatically reconsidered the following month if the applicant remains eligible.
- If approved and funding is available, the counselor coordinates with the closing agent.
- The grant is paid directly to the closing agent and applied toward the down payment.
- If selected, the recipient may need to complete an affidavit of eligibility, liability release and, where lawful, a publicity release.
- If the recipient cannot be reached, does not respond within five business days, rejects the grant or fails to provide required closing agent and disbursement information, the grant may be forfeited and awarded to another eligible applicant.
Affordability Impact
The Progressive UpPayment Program reduces the upfront cash required to purchase a home by providing up to $13,500 toward the down payment.
This support can help a qualified first-time buyer close the gap between available savings and required down payment funds. The final amount depends on the applicant’s down payment need, savings, affordability analysis and remaining funds available through the applicable affiliate.
This program does not reduce the monthly payment. It reduces upfront cash required.
Geographic Context
The Progressive UpPayment Program is listed as a national homebuyer program. That means eligibility is not limited to one state in the provided program data.
Buyers still need to work through the applicable participating housing counselor and confirm lender requirements for the first mortgage. Because funding is reviewed by National Urban League affiliates on a first-come, first-served basis, availability may depend on the affiliate handling the application and the timing of monthly funding.
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