The borrower/homeowner runs into temporary, financial issues, and the lender helps com up with a plan to change the mortgage by adding extra partial payments to the current payments.  In order to qualify for this type of plan, the borrower/homeowner must first be able to afford the increased payment during the period set by the lender, with credit counselors arranging for repayment periods to be extended whenever this isn't feasible. 

With this type of plan, there will be issues with going through with the extension, but it can be done without getting approval from the lender.