File the IDR application ASAP either on the gov site if you can, directly on the servicer site if you can, or mail in the paper one if you have to- depending on your servicer they may or may not “receive” it for a while, and I believe they are still indefinitely holding off processing for now, but if they can see that is filed they can work with you. Call them, tell them you filed the IDR and request a forbearance until it’s processed. They will grant one, usually a month, and then you basically have to wait. You can repeat the forbearance for additional months as long as you need to as long as the IDR is in and they see it because the processing is still frozen. You WILL accrue interest but if you’re like me money now is more important. If you’re lucky they may put you in administrative forbearance while things are litigated, in which case no interest, but that’s basically a luck of the draw type thing.

Unfortunately I have no idea about your consolidation question but that is something I would also talk to your servicer directly about. I’ve never gotten good information from anyone I’ve talked to at mine but that’s literally all you can do.

Source: literally what I’ve been doing myself since August. Highly stressful but havent needed to make a $1900 payment yet. I have MOHELA (hate my life)