Gary, I hate to say this, but the kicker may have been that you asked to be let go. I understand your position, and I've been there, but I'm concerned that the EC may consider that to be a voluntary separation.
Good luck man. I'm in mostly the same position with my house. I asked the bank for several different kinds of help and had them blow me off, until I said "Well, I can't pay for it any more" at which point they took a little more notice. I'm trying to do a Deed in Lieu, which if it works will make the house go away, at least.