← All debt options
START WITH YOUR CREDITOR
Creditor hardship
Ask your creditor about a temporary change to your payment terms.
Worth exploring when…
A job loss, illness or other disruption makes your current payment difficult.
Possible fit, not an eligibility decision.What a useful next step looks like.
- 01
Work out a realistic amount
Estimate what you can afford after housing, food, utilities, transport and other essentials.
- 02
Call the number on your statement
Explain what changed, what you can pay and when you might resume normal payments. Ask for the hardship or assistance team.
- 03
Get the arrangement in writing
Record the terms, duration, reporting treatment and next review date. Keep the representative’s name and a copy of the agreement.
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DECISION
What to weigh.
Programs and eligibility vary. Ask about credit reporting, account use and what happens when help ends.
Bring better questions.
- Do you offer a hardship program for my situation?
- How would interest and late fees change?
- How will you report the account?
- What will the payment be when the program ends?
Go to the source.
Checked October 15, 2026. General education; individual circumstances and applicable rules matter.