What Chase's hardship program does
Chase offers a hardship program for cardholders who are struggling to make payments due to job loss, illness, divorce, or other financial setbacks. The program lets you request a temporary change to your account terms — usually a lower interest rate, reduced monthly payment, or both — while you work through the difficult period.
You contact Chase directly to ask for help. Chase doesn't advertise this as a separate product; it's handled through their customer service line. If Chase approves your request, the changes explore only to your account and only for the time period you agree on — typically three to twelve months. After that period ends, your regular terms return unless you request another extension.
This is different from missing payments or letting your account go to collections. You're asking Chase to work with you before that happens, and Chase has financial reasons to say yes: keeping you current costs them less than sending your debt to a collector.
Key Takeaways
- Chase's hardship program requires you to call their customer service line and explain your financial situation — there is no online form or process.
- Approved requests typically lower your interest rate, reduce your monthly payment, or both for a set period of three to twelve months.
- You must be experiencing a genuine hardship such as job loss, medical emergency, or divorce; Chase will ask for details and may request documentation.
- Approval is not may provide, and the terms Chase offers depend on your account history, current balance, and the reason for your request.
- During the hardship period, your account may be flagged in a way that affects your ability to use the card or open new credit accounts.
How to contact Chase about hardship options
Call the customer service number on the back of your Chase credit card. Tell the representative that you are experiencing financial hardship and would like to discuss your options. You do not need to have missed a payment yet — in fact, calling before you miss one strengthens your case.
Have the following information ready: your account number, the reason for your hardship, how long you expect the hardship to last, and what monthly payment amount you think you can manage. Be honest about your situation. Chase's representatives hear these calls regularly and are trained to listen without judgment.
The call typically lasts 10 to 20 minutes. The representative will either offer you options on the spot or tell you they need to review your account and will call you back within a few business days. If you're offered a plan, ask for written confirmation before you hang up, and request that it be mailed or emailed to you.
What Chase might offer you
Chase's most common hardship options are a reduced interest rate, a lower minimum payment, or a combination of both. Some accounts may be offered a temporary pause on interest, though this is less common. The exact offer depends on your account history, how long you've been a customer, your current balance, and how much you can realistically pay each month.
If you have a good payment history before the hardship, Chase is more likely to offer favorable terms. If your account is already behind or has recent late payments, the offer may be more limited. Chase may also require you to make a good-faith payment — sometimes $25 to $100 — before the plan takes effect, to show you're committed to the arrangement.
The hardship plan is temporary. When it ends, your regular interest rate and minimum payment return. Chase will typically contact you before the plan expires to discuss whether you need another extension or whether you're ready to return to normal terms.
What happens to your credit report during hardship
Being on a hardship plan does not automatically damage your credit score. However, Chase may report your account status to the credit bureaus in a way that reflects the arrangement — for example, as "account in forbearance" or "payment plan." This notation can affect your credit score and may be visible to other lenders.
The impact depends on your credit profile and how the bureaus weight the notation. Some lenders view a hardship plan as a sign of responsible borrowing (you asked for help rather than defaulting), while others see it as a risk factor. The safest assumption is that your score may drop temporarily, and that other credit applications during or shortly after the hardship period may be harder to get approved for.
Once the hardship period ends and you return to on-time payments, the notation will eventually age off your report. The exact timeline depends on the credit bureau, but most notations stop affecting your score after 12 to 24 months of on-time payments afterward.
Restrictions while you're on a hardship plan
Chase may restrict your ability to use the card during the hardship period. Some cardholders find they cannot make new purchases, or that their credit limit is frozen. This is Chase's way of preventing the balance from growing while you're already struggling to pay.
You typically cannot request a credit limit increase while on the plan. You also may not be able to transfer a balance from another card onto the Chase account. These restrictions are meant to protect both you and Chase — they prevent you from taking on more debt while you're in financial difficulty.
If you need to use the card for emergencies during the hardship period, ask the representative about this when you set up the plan. Some plans allow limited new purchases; others do not. Getting this in writing prevents confusion later.
What to do if Chase denies your request
Chase is not required to offer a hardship plan. If your request is denied, ask the representative why. Common reasons include: your account is too new, your balance is very small, your account is already severely delinquent, or you do not meet Chase's internal criteria for the program.
If you're denied, you have other options. You can ask to speak with a supervisor or request reconsideration after your situation changes. You can also explore debt management plans through a nonprofit credit counselor, negotiate directly with Chase about a settlement, or look into balance transfer cards or personal loans to consolidate the debt at a lower rate.
Do not ignore the debt if hardship information is not available. The longer you go without contacting Chase, the more likely your account is to be reported as delinquent, which damages your credit and may lead to legal action.
Hardship plan versus other debt relief options
A Chase hardship plan is a temporary modification of your existing debt, not a way to reduce what you owe. You still pay back the full balance; you just pay it on easier terms for a set period. This is different from debt settlement, where you negotiate to pay less than you owe, or bankruptcy, where a court discharges some or all of your debt.
Hardship plans are usually the fastest and least damaging option if you can afford to pay back the full amount eventually. They require no lawyer, no court filing, and no formal process. However, if your hardship is long-term or your debt is very large relative to your income, a hardship plan alone may not be enough. In that case, you might benefit from speaking with a nonprofit credit counselor who can review all your options and help you decide whether hardship, debt management, settlement, or another path makes sense for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a hardship plan hurt my credit score?
A hardship plan may lower your score temporarily because Chase reports it to the credit bureaus. However, it typically causes less damage than missing payments or defaulting. The notation fades over time once you return to on-time payments. The exact impact varies by lender and credit profile.
Can I still use my Chase card while on a hardship plan?
Chase may freeze your card or restrict new purchases during the hardship period. Ask about this when you set up the plan. Some plans allow limited use; others do not. Get the restrictions in writing so you know what to expect.
What if my hardship lasts longer than the plan period?
You can request an extension before the original plan expires. Chase will review your account again and may offer another period of modified terms. However, extensions are not automatic, and Chase may eventually require you to return to regular terms or explore other options.
Do I have to make a payment to start the hardship plan?
Chase may require a good-faith payment of $25 to $100 before the plan takes effect, though this is not always required. Ask the representative whether a payment is needed before you agree to the plan.
What happens if I miss a payment during the hardship plan?
Missing a payment during the hardship period can end the plan and return your account to regular terms when ready. It may also trigger late fees and damage your credit further. If you cannot make the agreed payment, contact Chase right away to explain and ask about adjusting the plan rather than missing the payment.