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How to ask your credit card company for a hardship plan or a fee refund
Card issuers often have hardship programs they don't advertise. Ask for one by name, and ask what it changes before you agree.
Tips before you ask
- Call the number on the back of your card and ask for the hardship or financial assistance department.
- Never give your full card number or PIN to anyone who calls you. Only call the number on your card.
- Ask whether the plan closes the card or is reported to the credit bureaus before you agree.
Example: ask for a hardship plan
A worked example in the warm tone. Fill in the form above to get your own, in the tone you choose.
Call script
Have ready: your card, your usual payment and what you can really pay each month for now.
Hi, my name is Maria.
My card ends in 4417.
My hours were cut this month.
My payment is $180 a month. For the next few months I can pay $60.
Do you have a hardship program? I'm looking for a lower interest rate or a lower minimum payment for a few months.
Before you agree, ask: Will the card be closed or frozen? Is this reported to the credit bureaus? How long does it last, and what happens after?
Thank you for helping me with this.
Ask for the terms in writing before your next payment is due.
If they say no
Ask for a hardship plan
- Ask whether they can lower the payment for even one or two months.
- Ask whether there's a different department that handles hardship.
- A nonprofit credit counselor (look for NFCC members) can talk to lenders about a plan. The first session is often free.
Waive a late fee
- Ask whether they can waive half of it instead.
- Ask whether it can be waived if you set up automatic payments.
- Ask, politely, to speak to a supervisor. Waivers are often at the supervisor's discretion.
- Try again in writing: a short, polite email sometimes gets a different answer.
More time to pay
- Ask what they can offer instead: a shorter delay, part now and the rest later, or a payment plan.
- Ask whether there's a hardship or assistance program, and how to apply.
- Ask, politely, to speak to a supervisor.
- Call 211 or visit 211.org to find local help with this bill.
- Whatever you agree, ask for it in writing.
Write a hardship letter
- Ask what documents they'd need to reconsider, and send them.
- Ask for the hardship department or a supervisor, in writing.
- Ask for a smaller change: one skipped payment, a lower payment for two months, or a waived late fee.
- A nonprofit credit counselor (look for NFCC members) can contact lenders about a plan for you.
These are templates for general information, not legal or tax advice, and not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. You send every message yourself; we never contact anyone on your behalf.