Quick answer
A credit card hardship program is a temporary arrangement from your card issuer if a job loss, illness or other setback means you cannot keep up. It may lower your interest rate, payment or fees for a set period. You usually have to call and ask, and the card may be frozen or closed while you are enrolled.
Card issuers rarely advertise hardship programs, but many have them. The CFPB's advice when you cannot pay is to act right away and contact the card company, because many are willing to change your payment if you are facing a financial emergency.
What a hardship program may include
- A lower interest rate for a set period
- A lower minimum payment
- Waived late fees or over-limit fees
- A pause or skip on a payment in some cases
- A fixed repayment plan for the balance
In exchange, the issuer may freeze the card so you cannot add new charges, or close it.
How to ask
The CFPB suggests being ready to explain four things:
- Why you cannot pay the minimum right now.
- How much you can afford to pay.
- When you expect to restart normal payments.
- What new payment amount you are asking for, and for how long.
Have a short budget in front of you. Call before you miss a payment if you can, since your options are often better while the account is current.
Questions to ask before you agree
- What is the new rate and payment, and for how many months?
- Will the card be frozen or closed?
- How will the account be reported to the credit bureaus?
- What happens if I miss a plan payment?
- What happens when the plan ends?
- Can you send the terms in writing?
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lower rate or payment while you recover | Card may be closed or frozen |
| Stops late fees from piling up | Closed cards can raise utilization |
| No new loan or application | Programs are temporary |
| You keep dealing with the issuer directly | Not every issuer offers one |
If the answer is no
- Ask for a supervisor or the hardship department.
- Ask for a lower APR or a fee waiver instead.
- Contact a nonprofit credit counseling agency (search NFCC) about a debt management plan, which can lower rates across several cards.
- If you need help with rent, utilities or food so you can keep paying, dial 211.
After the program
Plan for the payment going back up. Use the credit card payoff calculator to see what payment clears the balance on your timeline. If your income has recovered and your credit allows it, a fixed-rate consolidation loan may keep the rate low after the hardship terms end. Use the form on this page to see whether partner lenders may have an offer, or call (800) 236-7761.
Examples are illustrations, not offers. Approval and terms depend on the lender, your state and your credit profile.
Frequently asked questions about credit card hardship programs: how to ask and what to expect
Who qualifies for a credit card hardship program?
Each issuer sets its own rules. Most want to see a real change in circumstances, such as reduced income, job loss, illness or a disaster. Call and explain your situation.
Does a hardship program hurt my credit?
It depends on how the issuer reports the account. A closed card can raise your utilization. Ask how the plan will be reported before you agree. Making the agreed payments on time protects you from late-payment marks.
How long do hardship programs last?
Many are temporary, set for a number of months. Some longer workout plans exist. Ask for the length, the new rate and payment, and what happens when it ends, in writing.
What if my issuer does not have a hardship program?
Ask for a lower rate or waived fees anyway, and contact a nonprofit credit counseling agency about a debt management plan.
Sources
- CFPB: What should I do if I can't pay my credit card bills? (accessed 2026-10-09)
- CFPB: When can my credit card company increase my interest rate? (accessed 2026-10-09)
- NFCC: National Foundation for Credit Counseling (accessed 2026-10-09)
Last updated 2026-10-09. How we research and update pages.