Last reviewed: 3 October 2026

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How to ask a card issuer for a hardship plan: what the CFPB and FTC say

The CFPB says that if you cannot pay your credit card bill, you should contact your credit card company immediately, and that many card companies are willing to work with you if you face a financial emergency.^[2] The FTC also says to talk to your card company.^[3] This page reports what those sources say about the call. It adds no advice of its own on what to ask for, because that depends on your income, your debts and your card agreement. For that, ask your card company, a nonprofit credit counselor or a lawyer.

The short version

• A CFPB blog post from 2019, since archived, says card companies offer "loss mitigation programs, sometimes called forbearance or hardship programs."^[1]
• The CFPB says to explain why you cannot pay the minimum, how much you can afford, when you could restart normal payments, and what new payment you are requesting and for how long.^[2]
• The FTC says to keep good records of who you talk to and what you agree, and to get a written version of any agreement.^[3]
• The sources we read do not say who qualifies, what a plan costs, or how a plan is reported to the credit reporting companies. Ask the card company.

A note on one source

The only source we read that names "hardship programs" is a CFPB blog post from 2019. The CFPB labels it archived content that may be outdated.^[1] The other two sources are more recent. We say which is which below.

What a hardship program may look like, per the CFPB blog

• It says credit card companies can, and often do, provide alternative repayment options. They depend on, among other factors, your income, how much you can afford to pay, and the amount you owe.^[1]
• It says these programs often let you postpone a set number of monthly payments, or pay a lower monthly payment at a reduced interest rate, until you repay the balance in full.^[1]
• It says that if the card company decides you cannot afford a full repayment plan within a certain timeframe, you might be able to negotiate a settlement for less than you owe. It says this depends on the company's policies and your account's circumstances.^[1]
• It says to get written confirmation of any alternative repayment option you agree to.^[1]

What the CFPB says to do before and during the call

These steps come from the CFPB's 2026 page on what to do if you cannot pay your credit card bills.^[2]

1. Add up your income and expenses. The CFPB says to look for ways to cut costs. If you cannot find enough to pay the minimum, it says to decide how much you can afford to pay.^[2]
2. Call your card company. The CFPB says to explain clearly:^[2]
   • why you cannot pay the minimum;
   • how much you can afford to pay;
   • when you could restart your normal payments; and
   • what new payment amount you are requesting, and for how long.
3. Consider credit counseling if you need more help. The CFPB says many credit counseling organizations are nonprofits. It says to ask, before you sign up, whether you will be charged, how much, and what services will be provided.^[2]

What the FTC says about the call

• It says to find the company's phone number on your card or statement, ask to negotiate a lower interest rate, and suggest a payment plan you can afford.^[3]
• It says you do not need to pay a company to talk to your credit card company for you. You can do it yourself, for free.^[3]
• It says to keep good records of who you talk to, what you agreed to do, and next steps. It says to make sure the company sends a written version of any agreement and to save it until all your payments are made.^[3]
• It says that if you negotiate a payment less than you owe, it could negatively affect your credit report and credit score. It also says any savings from the original amount could be considered taxable income.^[3]

What happens if you do not pay, per the CFPB blog

The blog says that once you are late or miss a payment, you are considered delinquent. It says the card company may block your ability to use the card and report the delinquency to the credit reporting companies. It says the delinquency can generally stay on your report for up to seven years. It says you could also face debt collection and be sued.^[1] It says the earlier you act, the better your chances of avoiding a debt in collections, damage to your credit report, a potential lawsuit or bankruptcy.^[1] For the order of events, see what happens if you stop paying a credit card.

What the sources do not say

None of the three sources states how a hardship plan is reported to the credit reporting companies or what it does to a credit score. They do not say who qualifies, how long a plan runs, or whether it carries fees. Those depend on the card company and your agreement.

Who to ask

• Your card company. The FTC says the number is on your card or statement.^[3]
• A nonprofit credit counselor. The FTC says to look for credit counseling at credit unions, universities, Cooperative Extension branches and from military personal financial managers, and to ask how much they charge.^[3] It says to check an organization with your state attorney general and local consumer protection agency.^[3] See how to verify a credit counseling agency.
• A lawyer or legal aid office, especially if you have been sued. See free legal help for debt problems.

A warning from the CFPB

The CFPB says a debt settlement company is not allowed to collect fees before settling or resolving your debt. It lists warning signs, including guaranteeing they can make your debt go away, telling you to stop communicating with your credit card company, and telling you to stop making your minimum payments.^[2] See debt relief options compared.

How to verify this yourself

1. Read the CFPB's page on what to do if you cannot pay your credit card bills.^[2]
2. Read the FTC's "How To Get Out of Debt," in the section on credit card debt.^[3]
3. Read your own card agreement and statements, and ask the card company for its terms in writing.

What this page does not cover

It gives no advice of its own on what to ask your card company for, whether a plan is a good idea for you, or what any company will agree to. It does not cover auto, personal or medical debts, which can have different rules. It is general information, not legal or financial advice.

Your next step

Read the CFPB page linked above. Then, if you decide to call, have your income, expenses and account details in front of you. For a free conversation about your options, ask a nonprofit credit counselor or a legal aid office. For other routes, see debt relief: where to start. Our Standard shows how we check companies that sell debt help.

When we will update this page

We revisit it when the CFPB or FTC revises these pages, or if the CFPB publishes current guidance that names hardship programs. Sources last read 3 October 2026.