HOUSTON -- KPRC Local 2 told viewers earlier about a federal program designed to help homeowners facing foreclosure. Now some of you are asking investigative reporter Amy Davis how you can get help.

Davis explains where and how to get a piece of the $700 billion bailout.

Congress approved $75 billion to help millions of homeowners stay in their homes.

Your tax dollars are getting doled out, but many of you said you're not getting the help we're all paying for.

"You're constantly on the phone trying to get in contact with somebody, writing letters, sending e-mails, sending faxes," said Stephanie Cargle of the headaches she had trying to get help with her mortgage.

When Cargle explained the frustration of trying to save her home through the federal "Making Home Affordable" program, many of you wrote that you can relate.

"Lovingmomof2" wrote "Do not get me started on this farce of an assistance program. I know of no one that has benefited from this assistance. I have had a few friends attempt this only to lose their homes anyway."

"I think just the sheer demand right now that we're getting because of the housing crisis," said Niko Allen of Money Management International.

Allen is a HUD-certified financial counselor. He helps homeowners sort through the mounds of paperwork and talk to lenders.

Even professionally trained, he said it's tough.

"Sometimes the process isn't working for people," said Allen.

He said any HUD-certified financial counselor can help you avoid foreclosure and there is no cost to you.

Part of that $75 billion legislators approved pays counselors to help you cut through the red tape. But Allen said you should reach out as soon as possible.

"You don't necessarily have to wait until you're behind to get help," he explained.

Banks said part of the backlog is that they've had to hire new employees to process the loan modifications.

Chase Bank said it's hired an additional 1,700 employees since Jan. 1.

When you call your bank, Allen said you want to make sure you're talking to one of those specialists and not just a customer service representative.

"They don't have that same information or the same power or the same ability even to do anything if they wanted to," said Allen.

You should never have to pay a fee to get help applying for a loan modification. Beware of companies that are charging.

The U.S. Treasury has posted a list of every HUD-certified financial counselor in the country on its http://makinghomeaffordable.gov/counselor.html.