What Chase's Hardship Plan Is
Chase's Hardship Plan is a program that lets you modify the terms of your Chase credit card debt if you're facing a temporary financial setback. The bank doesn't forgive the debt, but it can lower your monthly payment, reduce your interest rate, or extend your repayment timeline. You contact Chase directly to request it — there's no online form or third-party process.
The program is designed for people in specific situations: job loss, medical emergency, divorce, or other documented hardship that makes your current payment unsustainable. Chase reviews your request based on your account history, income, and the reason for the hardship. Approval is not may provide, and the terms you receive depend on what Chase determines you can afford.
Key Takeaways
- You must call Chase directly at the number on your card to request a hardship plan; there is no online process.
- Chase will ask for proof of your hardship and your current income to determine what payment reduction it will offer.
- A hardship plan typically lasts 6 to 24 months, after which your account returns to standard terms unless you request another modification.
- Your credit report will show the account as "in hardship" or "account modification," which may lower your credit score during the plan period.
- You must be current or only slightly behind on payments when you request the plan; accounts in serious default may not be may be able to access.
How to Request a Chase Hardship Plan
Call the customer service number on the back of your Chase credit card and ask to speak with someone about hardship options. Have your account number, Social Security number, and a brief explanation of your hardship ready. The representative will ask about your current income, monthly expenses, and how long you expect the hardship to last.
Be specific about what happened. "I lost my job" is more credible than "I'm having trouble." If you have documentation — a termination letter, medical bills, a divorce decree — mention it. Chase may ask you to mail or upload proof before finalizing any plan. The entire call typically takes 15 to 30 minutes.
Do not wait until you miss a payment to call. Hardship plans work best when you contact Chase before your account falls behind. If you've already missed one or two payments, you may still be may be able to access, but your options narrow. If your account is 90 days or more past due, Chase may have already sent it to collections, and a hardship plan becomes much harder to negotiate.
What Terms Chase May Offer
Chase typically offers one or more of these modifications: a lower monthly payment (sometimes 50% of your current minimum), a reduced interest rate (often 0% for the plan period), or an extended repayment term (stretching payments over 24 to 60 months instead of the standard schedule). The exact offer depends on your situation and account history.
If you've been a long-standing customer with a good payment history before the hardship, Chase is more likely to offer favorable terms. If your account already has late payments or high utilization, the offer may be more modest. You can ask Chase to explain why it's offering what it is, but you cannot negotiate the terms the way you might with a debt settlement company.
Once you agree to a plan, Chase will send you a written confirmation with the new payment amount, interest rate, and end date. Read it carefully. Some plans include a clause that if you miss a payment during the hardship period, the plan ends and your original terms resume when ready.
How a Hardship Plan Affects Your Credit
Chase will report your account to the credit bureaus as "in hardship," "account modification," or "payment plan" — the exact language varies. This notation stays on your credit report for the duration of the plan and typically for seven years after the account closes. It signals to other lenders that you've had trouble paying, which can lower your credit score by 50 to 150 points depending on your starting score and credit mix.
The impact is real but usually temporary. Once you complete the hardship plan and return to on-time payments, your score will gradually recover. The hardship notation itself becomes less damaging over time as newer accounts and payments age into your history. If you need to borrow money during the plan period, expect higher interest rates or outright denial from some lenders.
When a Hardship Plan May Not Work
If your hardship is permanent — you've been laid off and cannot find work, or you have a chronic illness that prevents earning — a hardship plan is a temporary patch, not a solution. After 6 to 24 months, your payments return to the original amount or a modified amount you've renegotiated. If your income hasn't recovered, you'll face the same problem again.
If you owe money to multiple credit card issuers, each one has its own hardship program with different terms. Chase's plan won't reduce what you owe to American Express, Discover, or your bank. You'll need to contact each issuer separately. This can become unmanageable if you're juggling five or six modified accounts with different payment dates and amounts.
If your debt is very large relative to your income, a hardship plan may not reduce your payment enough to be meaningful. Chase won't lower your payment below what it calculates you can afford, but that calculation is conservative. If you owe $15,000 and earn $2,000 a month, even a 50% payment reduction may still be unaffordable.
Hardship Plan vs. Other Options
A hardship plan is different from debt settlement, debt consolidation, and bankruptcy. With a hardship plan, you're still paying the full balance — just on modified terms. With debt settlement, a third party negotiates to reduce the total amount you owe, but your credit takes a bigger hit and you may owe taxes on the forgiven amount. With consolidation, you move the debt to a new loan, usually at a lower rate, but you're still responsible for the full balance.
Bankruptcy is a legal process that can eliminate or restructure debt, but it stays on your credit report for 7 to 10 years and has long-term consequences for borrowing, housing, and employment. A hardship plan is less severe and reversible — if your situation improves, you can pay off the card early without penalty.
If you're considering a hardship plan, also explore whether you can refinance the card balance onto a personal loan or balance transfer card with a lower rate. If you have equity in your home, a home equity line of credit might offer better terms. These options don't require admitting hardship to your lender and may have less impact on your credit score.
What Happens After Your Hardship Plan Ends
When your hardship plan period ends, Chase will notify you in writing. Your account returns to standard terms — the original interest rate and minimum payment schedule — unless you request another modification or the plan is automatically renewed. If you've paid down the balance significantly, your new minimum payment will be lower straightforward because you owe less.
If your financial situation has improved, you can resume normal payments. If it hasn't, contact Chase again before you fall behind. A second hardship plan is possible, but Chase is less likely to approve it if you're requesting one when ready after the first ends. The bank may view repeated requests as a sign that your hardship is permanent, not temporary.
If you miss a payment after your hardship plan ends, your account is treated like any other delinquent account. Late fees, penalty interest rates, and collection calls resume. The hardship notation on your credit report will eventually age off, but only if you stay current after the plan ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Chase forgive part of my debt if I'm in hardship?
No. A hardship plan modifies how you pay, not how much you owe. You still repay the full balance, usually with a lower payment or interest rate. If Chase forgives debt, it's rare and only after the account has been in hardship for a long time with no improvement in your situation.
Can I explore for a hardship plan online?
No. You must call Chase customer service at the number on your card. There is no online form or portal for hardship requests. Some banks are moving toward online options, but Chase currently requires a phone call.
How long does it take to get approved?
Chase typically makes a decision during or when ready after your call. You'll receive written confirmation in the mail within 5 to 10 business days. If Chase needs documentation, approval may take 2 to 3 weeks.
What if Chase denies my hardship plan request?
Ask why. Common reasons are that your account is too far behind, your income is too high relative to your debt, or your hardship doesn't meet Chase's criteria. You can request reconsideration, provide additional documentation, or wait a few months and reapply if your situation changes.
Can I pay off my card early while on a hardship plan?
Yes. There is no penalty for paying more than your modified payment or paying off the balance early. If you receive a bonus or tax refund, you can use it to accelerate payoff without affecting your hardship plan status.