How to Request Financial Hardship Help

Prepare for hardship calls and applications with the right documents, questions, and written confirmation steps.

Hardship assistance may include temporary payment reductions, due-date changes, fee waivers, payment plans, forbearance, or referrals to local support. Availability and consequences vary, so ask detailed questions.

Prepare before calling

• Account number and latest statement
• Short explanation of the income disruption
• Current income and essential expenses
• Amount you can realistically pay
• Date you expect circumstances to change, when known

Questions to ask

1. What hardship options are currently available?
2. Will interest, fees, or penalties continue?
3. How will the arrangement be reported?
4. Does accepting the option change the contract or payment schedule?
5. Can the full terms be sent in writing?

Document the agreement

Keep the representative's name, date, reference number, payment amount, duration, and written confirmation. Check the next statement to verify that the arrangement was applied correctly.