What Chase's hardship program does
Chase offers a hardship program for cardholders who are facing temporary financial difficulty and cannot make their regular payments. If you contact Chase and explain your situation, the bank can modify your account terms — typically by lowering your interest rate, reducing your monthly payment, or pausing interest charges for a set period. Chase does not forgive the debt itself, but these changes can make payments manageable while you work through the hardship.
The program is designed for people in specific situations: job loss, medical emergency, divorce, or other sudden income reduction. Chase evaluates each request individually. There is no formal process form; you initiate the process by calling the number on the back of your card and asking to speak with a hardship specialist.
Key Takeaways
- Contact Chase directly by calling the number on your card and request a hardship program review; there is no online form to submit.
- Be ready to explain your specific hardship and provide details about your current income and monthly expenses.
- Chase may offer a lower interest rate, reduced monthly payment, or temporary interest pause, depending on your situation and account history.
- Accepting a hardship plan may affect your credit score and may restrict new charges on the card during the modification period.
- The program is temporary — most plans last 3 to 12 months, after which your original terms resume unless you renegotiate.
How to contact Chase about hardship options
Call the customer service number printed on the back of your Chase credit card. When you reach a representative, say that you are experiencing financial hardship and would like to discuss your options. You will likely be transferred to a specialist team that handles these requests.
Have the following information ready before you call: your account number, your current monthly income (from all sources), your monthly expenses (rent, utilities, food, insurance, other debt payments), and a brief explanation of what caused the hardship. The more specific you are about your situation, the more options Chase can consider.
Chase does not have a important date for these requests. You can contact them at any point after you realize you cannot make your regular payment. However, the sooner you call, the sooner you can avoid missed payments, which damage your credit score.
What modifications Chase typically offers
Chase's hardship program does not have a single fixed offer. Instead, the bank reviews your account and proposes terms based on what you tell them about your income and expenses. Common modifications include:
- Interest rate reduction: Your APR may be lowered for the duration of the plan, sometimes significantly.
- Reduced monthly payment: Chase may lower your required payment to a percentage of your balance or a fixed dollar amount you can afford.
- Interest pause: For a set period (often 3 to 6 months), interest may not accrue on your balance, though you still owe the principal.
- Combination plans: Chase may combine a lower rate with a reduced payment, or a payment reduction with a temporary interest pause.
You cannot choose which modification you want; Chase decides based on your account history, the length and severity of your hardship, and your ability to pay. If the first offer does not work for your budget, you can ask the specialist to reconsider, but Chase has final say.
What happens to your credit during a hardship plan
Entering a hardship program will likely appear on your credit report as an account modification or hardship arrangement. This notation may lower your credit score, though the impact varies depending on your current score and credit history. The score drop is usually smaller than the damage from a missed payment or default.
Once you are in the program and making payments on time as agreed, no additional negative marks are added. However, the modification itself remains visible to lenders and may affect your ability to open new credit accounts or get favorable rates on loans during the plan period.
After the hardship plan ends, the notation typically stays on your report for seven years from the original delinquency date (if there was one), though its impact on your score weakens over time as you continue to pay on time.
Restrictions and limits during the program
Most Chase hardship plans come with restrictions on the card itself. You usually cannot make new purchases while the plan is active — the card is frozen for new charges. This prevents your balance from growing while you are already struggling to pay.
Some plans allow you to keep the card open for emergencies, but this varies. Ask the specialist what the restrictions are on your specific plan before you agree to it.
The plan is temporary. Most hardship modifications last between 3 and 12 months. When the plan period ends, your original interest rate and payment terms return unless you renegotiate with Chase. If you still cannot afford the original terms at that point, you can request another hardship review.
What to do if Chase denies your request
Chase may decline a hardship request if your account is already in default, if you have recently completed another hardship plan, or if the bank determines you have sufficient income to pay under the original terms. If your request is denied, ask the specialist why and whether you can reapply after a certain period.
If you disagree with the decision, you can request to speak with a supervisor or manager on the same call. Document the date, time, and name of the person you spoke with, and ask for written confirmation of the denial and the reason.
If hardship is not an option, other paths exist: you can negotiate a settlement (paying less than the full balance in a lump sum), seek credit counseling through a nonprofit agency, or explore debt consolidation. These are separate from Chase's program and have different terms and credit impacts.
After your hardship plan ends
When the plan period expires, Chase will notify you that your original terms are returning. Your interest rate will go back to your standard APR, and your monthly payment will return to the amount required to pay off your balance within the card's standard terms.
If you still cannot afford the original payment, contact Chase again before the plan expires and request another modification. The bank may grant a second plan, though approval is not may provide. Starting the conversation early — before you miss a payment — gives you the best chance of working out new terms.
If you have paid down a significant portion of your balance during the hardship plan, your required payment may be lower than it was before, even under the original terms. Use a credit card payment calculator to see what your new payment would be.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a hardship plan hurt my credit score?
Yes, the modification itself will likely lower your score because it signals to lenders that you are having trouble paying. However, the damage is usually less severe than a missed payment or default. Once the plan ends and you continue paying on time, your score will gradually recover.
Can I use my card for new purchases while in the hardship program?
Most hardship plans freeze the card for new charges. You can still make payments, but you cannot add to your balance. Some plans allow emergency purchases, but this is rare and depends on Chase's decision for your specific account.
What if my hardship is permanent, not temporary?
Hardship plans are designed for temporary difficulties. If your income loss is permanent (such as retirement or disability), a hardship plan may not be the right fit. Discuss your long-term situation with the specialist; they may suggest alternatives like a settlement or debt consolidation instead.
How long does it take for Chase to decide on my hardship request?
Chase typically makes a decision during or shortly after your initial call. In some cases, the bank may ask for additional documentation (pay stubs, proof of hardship) and take a few business days to review. Ask the specialist for a timeline before you hang up.
Can I request a hardship plan if I have already missed a payment?
Yes. In fact, calling before you miss a payment is ideal, but Chase will still work with you after a missed payment occurs. The sooner you contact them, the better your options and the less damage to your credit.