What Chase's Hardship Program Does

Chase's hardship program is a formal option you can request if you're having trouble making your credit card payments. When you contact Chase and explain your situation — job loss, medical emergency, divorce, or another significant hardship — the bank can modify your account terms instead of sending it to collections or closing it. The modifications might include a lower interest rate, a reduced monthly payment, a pause on payments for a set period, or some combination of these.

This is not a loan, a forgiveness program, or a way to erase what you owe. You still owe the full balance, but the terms change to something you can actually manage. Chase reviews each request individually, so the outcome depends on your specific situation, your account history, and what you ask for.

Key Takeaways

  • You must contact Chase directly by phone to request hardship consideration — there is no online form or automatic process.
  • Chase will ask detailed questions about your income, expenses, and the reason you cannot pay, so have recent pay stubs and bills ready.
  • A hardship plan typically lasts 6 to 24 months, after which your account returns to standard terms unless you request another modification.
  • Entering a hardship program will likely lower your credit score in the short term, but it prevents the larger damage that comes from missed payments or collections.
  • You can negotiate the terms — if Chase's first offer doesn't work for your budget, you can ask for a lower payment or longer timeline.

How to Request a Hardship Plan

Call the number on the back of your Chase credit card and ask to speak with someone about hardship options. Have your account number ready. You will be transferred to a department that handles these requests — it's not the regular customer service line, so be clear about what you need.

Prepare to explain what happened: when the hardship began, whether it's ongoing, and what your current financial situation looks like. Be honest. Chase has access to your payment history and account balance, so they already know you're behind or struggling. The more specific you are about your circumstances, the more seriously they take the request.

Have these documents nearby when you call: recent pay stubs (last two months), a list of your monthly expenses, and any documentation of the hardship itself (a layoff letter, medical bills, divorce decree). You don't have to send them when ready, but having them ready means you can answer questions without calling back.

What Chase Typically Offers

Chase's standard hardship modifications fall into a few categories. A temporary rate reduction lowers your interest rate for a set period — often 6 to 12 months — which reduces how much interest piles up while you're paying down the balance. A payment reduction lowers your monthly minimum payment, sometimes to as little as $25 or $50, for the duration of the plan. Some plans include a payment pause of 30 to 90 days, during which you don't have to pay anything, though interest usually still accrues.

Chase often combines these. You might get a lower rate plus a reduced payment, or a payment pause followed by a lower rate. The bank structures the offer based on what you tell them you can afford. If Chase's first offer doesn't fit your budget, ask what other options exist. Negotiation is normal.

Most hardship plans last between 6 and 24 months. At the end, your account goes back to the standard interest rate and payment terms unless you request another modification. Chase will tell you the end date upfront, so you know when to expect the change.

How This Affects Your Credit Score

Entering a hardship program will show up on your credit report as an account with modified terms. This typically causes your credit score to drop in the short term — usually 50 to 150 points, depending on your starting score and the severity of the modification. The damage is real but temporary.

The key is what you're preventing: if you don't enter a hardship plan and instead miss payments, your score will drop much further and stay damaged longer. A single missed payment can cost 100 points or more, and the damage compounds with each missed month. A charge-off — when Chase writes off the debt as uncollectible — can drop your score 150 to 200 points and stay on your report for seven years.

A hardship plan is the gentler option. Your score recovers faster once you complete the plan and return to on-time payments. Lenders also view hardship plans more favorably than collections or charge-offs when you explore for new credit later.

What Happens If You Miss a Payment During the Plan

If you miss a payment while you're in a hardship plan, the plan can be cancelled and your account can go back to standard terms — or worse. Chase may close the account, report the missed payment to the credit bureaus, or pursue collection action. This is why it's critical to make sure the payment amount Chase offers is something you can actually afford every month.

If your circumstances change during the plan and you genuinely cannot make the new payment, call Chase when ready. Explain what happened and ask whether the plan can be adjusted. Chase is more willing to modify an existing plan than to start from scratch, and calling before you miss a payment is much better than calling after.

Alternatives If Chase Denies Your Request

Chase can say no. If they do, you have other options. You can ask to speak with a supervisor and explain why their offer doesn't work — sometimes a second review results in a different decision. You can also contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and file a complaint; Chase has to respond, and complaints sometimes prompt the bank to reconsider.

If hardship modification isn't available or doesn't work, you might explore a balance transfer to a card with a 0% introductory rate, a personal loan at a lower rate, or credit counseling through a nonprofit agency. A nonprofit credit counselor can also contact Chase on your behalf and sometimes negotiate terms you couldn't get alone. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) has a directory of agencies, many of which offer free initial consultations.

How Long the Plan Lasts and What Comes Next

Your hardship plan has a set end date — Chase will tell you this when they approve it. As that date approaches, your interest rate and payment amount will return to your card's standard terms unless you request another modification. Start planning for this change now, even if your plan doesn't end for months. Your payment could jump significantly, so knowing the number in advance means no surprises.

If you've paid consistently during the plan and your situation has improved, you may not need another modification. If you're still struggling, contact Chase 30 to 60 days before the plan ends and ask about extending or adjusting it. The bank is more likely to approve a renewal if you've made every payment on time.

Once your plan ends and you're back on standard terms, focus on making on-time payments. This is how your credit score recovers. Each month of on-time payments rebuilds your score, and after 24 months of consistent payments, the hardship plan itself becomes less visible to lenders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request a hardship plan if I'm not behind on payments yet?

Yes. Chase considers requests from people who see a hardship coming and want to prevent missed payments. If you know your income is about to drop or an expense is about to spike, calling before you fall behind can work in your favor. Chase views this as responsible, and you may get better terms than if you wait until you've already missed a payment.

Will Chase close my account if I enter a hardship plan?

Not automatically. Chase usually keeps the account open during the plan so you can continue using the card if you need to. However, the bank may freeze the account (prevent new charges) while the plan is active. Once the plan ends and you're back on standard terms, you can use the card normally again, assuming you've made all payments on time.

What if I can pay more than the reduced payment Chase offers?

Pay more if you can. Paying above the minimum doesn't violate the plan, and it reduces your balance faster and saves you interest. Just make sure the minimum payment Chase set is what you commit to — that's the floor. Anything above it is a bonus.

Can I have a hardship plan on more than one Chase card?

Yes, but you have to request each one separately. Call for each card and explain your situation. Chase reviews each account individually, so the terms might differ between cards. Be consistent in your explanation of the hardship across all calls.

How long does it take Chase to approve a hardship plan?

Approval usually takes 5 to 10 business days after your call. Chase will contact you with their decision and the terms of the plan. If you're already behind on payments, ask during the call whether the bank will pause collection efforts while they review your request — many will, but you have to ask explicitly.