Do I qualify for a hardship program?

Qualification varies by issuer, but common hardships include: job loss, reduced income, medical emergency, divorce, death in family, natural disaster, or military deployment. You typically need to be current or slightly behind on payments and demonstrate genuine financial hardship.

Will a hardship program hurt my credit score?

Possibly. Some issuers report hardship enrollment to credit bureaus, which can lower your score. Others don't report it as long as you make agreed payments. The bigger credit risk is falling behind without a hardship plan. Ask your issuer about their reporting policy before enrolling.

How to Apply for a Credit Card Hardship Program (2026 Guide)

Q: What is a credit card hardship program?

A credit card hardship program (also called a hardship plan) is a temporary arrangement with your credit card issuer that modifies your account terms due to financial difficulty. Benefits may include reduced interest rates, lower minimum payments, waived fees, or a temporary payment pause.

Lost your job? Medical emergency? Going through a divorce? If you're struggling to make credit card payments, your card issuer may help — through a hardship program.

Hardship programs can reduce your interest rate to 0-10% (from 25%+), lower your minimum payment, waive late fees, and even pause payments temporarily. Here's how to apply.

💡 Act early

Don't wait until you're 60 days late. Issuers are more likely to help if you contact them before you fall seriously behind. Call as soon as you anticipate difficulty making payments.

What Is a Credit Card Hardship Program?

A hardship program (also called a hardship plan) is a temporary arrangement between you and your credit card issuer that modifies your account terms due to financial difficulty.

Common Hardship Program Benefits

Reduced interest rate: Often 0-10% APR (vs. 25-30% standard rates)
Lower minimum payment: Reduced to an affordable amount
Waived fees: Late fees, over-limit fees, sometimes annual fees
Temporary payment pause: Some issuers allow 1-3 months of no payments
Fixed payment plan: Set monthly payment for 6-60 months

Program Duration

Hardship programs are temporary, typically lasting:

Short-term: 3-6 months
Medium-term: 12-24 months
Long-term: Up to 60 months (for severe hardship)

After the program ends, your account returns to normal terms — but you should have reduced the balance significantly.

📊 Success rates

According to a 2025 CFPB study, approximately 60-70% of consumers who request hardship assistance are approved. Approval rates are higher for customers with good payment histories and those who contact the issuer before falling behind.

Who Qualifies for a Hardship Program?

Each issuer has different criteria, but qualifying hardships typically include:

Accepted Hardships

Job loss: Layoff, termination, furlough
Reduced income: Hours cut, commission reduction, pay cut
Medical emergency: Illness, injury, hospitalization
Death in family: Loss of income from deceased family member
Divorce or separation: Loss of dual income, legal expenses
Natural disaster: Home damage, evacuation, displacement
Military deployment: Active duty deployment
Pandemic-related: COVID-19 illness, quarantine, job loss

General Requirements

Financial hardship: Must demonstrate inability to make current payments
Good faith effort: Willingness to pay something, not complete avoidance
Account status: Some issuers require you to be current; others help those already behind
Income: Must have some income to make reduced payments

Hardship Programs by Major Issuers

Here's what to expect from major credit card issuers:

Issuer	Program Name	Benefits	Duration
Chase	Chase Assistance Program	Reduced APR, lower payments, waived fees	Up to 12 months
Citi	Citi Financial Relief	APR reduction to 0-10%, payment deferral	3-12 months
Bank of America	Payment Relief Program	Reduced APR, waived fees, payment pause	Up to 24 months
Wells Fargo	Payment Relief	APR reduction, lower minimum payment	6-18 months
Capital One	Payment Assistance	APR reduction, payment deferral options	Varies
Discover	Hardship Program	Reduced APR, waived late fees	Up to 24 months
American Express	Financial Assistance	APR reduction, fixed payment plan	Up to 60 months

⚠️ Account may be closed

Most issuers will close your card or freeze the credit line when you enter a hardship program. You won't be able to use the card until you complete the program and request reinstatement.

How to Apply for a Hardship Program

Step 1: Call Your Card Issuer

Find the number on the back of your card. Ask for the "hardship department" or "assistance programs."

Best times to call: Tuesday-Thursday, 10am-3pm local time. Avoid Mondays and month-ends.

Step 2: Explain Your Situation

Be honest and specific about your hardship. See the phone script below for exact wording.

Step 3: Provide Documentation (If Requested)

Some issuers may request:

Proof of income (pay stubs, unemployment benefits statement)
Hardship letter explaining your situation
Monthly budget showing income and expenses
Termination letter (if job loss)
Medical bills (if medical hardship)

Step 4: Review the Offer

The issuer will propose terms. Make sure you understand:

What will your new APR be?
What will your new minimum payment be?
How long will the program last?
Will fees be waived?
Will this be reported to credit bureaus?
Can you use the card during the program?

Step 5: Get It in Writing

Never agree to a hardship plan without written confirmation. Request emailed or mailed documentation of all terms before making the first payment.

Phone Script for Hardship Request

Use this script when calling your card issuer:

REPRESENTATIVE: "Thank you for calling [Issuer]. How can I help you?" YOU: "Hi, I'm having some financial difficulties and I'm struggling to make my credit card payments. I'd like to ask about hardship assistance programs." REPRESENTATIVE: "I can help with that. Can you tell me more about your situation?" YOU: "[Explain your hardship - pick one:] - I was laid off from my job on [date] and I'm currently unemployed. - My hours were cut from 40 to 20 per week, reducing my income significantly. - I had a medical emergency that resulted in unexpected expenses and inability to work. - I'm going through a divorce and my household income has been cut in half. I want to pay my bills, but I can't afford the current minimum payment of $[amount]. Do you have any hardship programs that could help me?" REPRESENTATIVE: [Explains options or asks for documentation] YOU: "What specific hardship programs do you have available? What would my new interest rate and payment be? And will this affect my credit score?" If they offer a plan: "That sounds workable. Can you send me the terms in writing before I agree? I want to make sure I understand everything correctly."

Hardship Letter Template

If your issuer requests a written hardship letter, use this template:

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State ZIP] [Your Phone Number] [Your Email] [Date] [Credit Card Issuer Name] Hardship Department [Address from issuer, or use:] P.O. Box [XXXX] [City, State ZIP] Re: Request for Hardship Assistance Account Number: [XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-1234] To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to request enrollment in a hardship assistance program for my credit card account. I have been a cardholder since [year] and have generally maintained good standing. However, I am currently experiencing financial hardship that makes it difficult to afford my current minimum payment. HARDSHIP EXPLANATION: [Choose or customize:] - I was laid off from my position as [job title] on [date] due to [reason: company downsizing, position eliminated, etc.]. I am actively seeking employment but have not yet secured new income. - My household income has been reduced by [X]% due to [explain: reduced hours, pay cut, loss of spouse's income, etc.]. - I experienced a medical emergency in [month/year] that resulted in significant medical expenses and inability to work for [duration]. - I am going through a divorce/separation, which has resulted in the loss of dual income and significant legal expenses. CURRENT FINANCIAL SITUATION: - Monthly income: $[amount] - Monthly expenses (excluding this card): $[amount] - Current credit card balance: $[amount] - Current minimum payment: $[amount] - Amount I can afford to pay: $[amount]/month REQUESTED ASSISTANCE: I am requesting the following assistance: - Reduction of my interest rate to an affordable level - Reduction of my minimum payment to $[amount] - Waiver of late fees during the hardship period - [Any other requests: payment deferral, fixed payment plan, etc.] I am committed to paying off this debt and want to work with you to find a solution. I have attached documentation of my financial situation including [list: termination letter, pay stubs, medical bills, etc.]. Please contact me at [phone] or [email] to discuss available options. I appreciate your consideration and look forward to working with you. Sincerely, [Your Signature] [Your Printed Name] Enclosures: [List attached documents]

Will a Hardship Program Affect My Credit Score?

It depends on the issuer. Here's what you need to know:

Potential Negative Impacts

Closure of credit line: Your card may be closed, reducing your available credit and potentially lowering your score
Reporting to credit bureaus: Some issuers report "hardship plan" or "modified terms" to credit bureaus
Comment on account: Even if not reported as negative, a comment may appear that other lenders can see

Potential Positive Impacts

Avoiding late payments: Making hardship payments on time is better than falling behind
Preventing charge-off: Hardship can prevent your account from being charged off (180 days late)
Lower utilization: If you stop using the card and pay down the balance, utilization improves

💡 Ask about reporting

Before enrolling, ask: "Will this hardship program be reported to credit bureaus? If so, how will it appear on my credit report?" Some issuers report it neutrally; others don't report it at all as long as you make payments.

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Related Resources

Credit Card Debt Relief Options — comprehensive guide
How to Negotiate With Debt Collectors — settlement strategies
Debt Avalanche Method — fastest way to pay off debt
Credit Counseling — nonprofit debt management plans
CFPB: Can't Make Credit Card Payment — official guidance