What the Chase Hardship Program Does

Chase's hardship program is a set of options the bank offers to customers who are struggling to make their monthly payments on credit cards, mortgages, auto loans, or other Chase products. The program does not erase your debt, but it can lower your monthly payment, reduce your interest rate temporarily, pause late fees, or extend your repayment timeline. You contact Chase directly to request consideration — there is no separate process form or outside agency involved.

The specific relief you may receive depends on what type of account you have, how far behind you are, and what hardship you describe. Chase reviews each request individually. The bank is not required to offer relief, and approval is not may provide, but the program exists specifically for customers facing temporary financial strain who want to keep their accounts current rather than default.

Key Takeaways

  • You must contact Chase directly by phone or through your online account to request hardship consideration — there is no online form to submit.
  • Chase may lower your interest rate, reduce your monthly payment, pause fees, or restructure your loan term, but the specific offer depends on your account type and situation.
  • The bank typically asks you to describe your hardship in writing and may request proof such as a job loss letter, medical bills, or bank statements showing reduced income.
  • Hardship arrangements usually last 3 to 12 months, after which your account returns to standard terms unless you request another modification.
  • Accepting a hardship plan may affect your credit score in the short term, but staying current through the plan is better for your credit than falling behind.

How to Contact Chase About Hardship Options

Call the customer service number on the back of your Chase card or statement. Tell the representative you are experiencing financial hardship and want to discuss your options. You can also log into your Chase online account and look for a "hardship" or "financial relief" option in the account management section — the exact location varies by account type.

When you call, have your account number ready and be prepared to describe what is making it hard to pay: job loss, reduced hours, medical emergency, divorce, or another specific event. Vague requests are less likely to result in an offer. The representative may transfer you to a specialist team that handles hardship cases, or they may ask you to submit your request in writing first.

If you are behind on payments, calling sooner rather than later improves your chances. Once an account is severely delinquent or sent to a collection agency, Chase has less incentive to work with you, and your options narrow.

What Documents Chase Usually Asks For

Chase typically requests proof that your hardship is real and recent. Common documents include a letter from your employer stating you were laid off or had your hours cut, medical bills or hospital statements if illness or injury caused the hardship, bank statements showing a drop in deposits, divorce papers or child support orders, or a written explanation of your situation.

You do not need to provide every document at once. Start with what you have and explain what you cannot easily obtain. If you lost your job, a termination letter is strong proof. If your income dropped because of reduced hours, recent pay stubs showing the change work. The goal is to show Chase that your hardship is temporary and that you have a realistic plan to resume normal payments once the crisis passes.

Keep copies of everything you send to Chase. Request a confirmation number or reference number when you submit documents, and note the date and the name of the representative you spoke with.

Types of Relief Chase May Offer

Chase's most common hardship options are a temporary interest rate reduction (usually lasting 3 to 12 months), a lower monthly payment (achieved by extending the loan term or reducing the amount due each month), fee waivers (pausing late fees, over-limit fees, or annual fees), or a loan modification (restructuring the terms of a mortgage or auto loan).

For credit cards, Chase might offer to freeze your interest rate at a lower percentage for a set period while you pay down the balance. For mortgages, the bank might extend your loan term by a few years to lower your monthly payment. For auto loans, Chase might pause a payment or two if you are only slightly behind.

The offer you receive is based on your account history, the type of account, how much you owe, and how long you have been a Chase customer. A customer with a good payment history before the hardship will typically receive a more favorable offer than someone with a pattern of late payments.

What Happens to Your Credit During a Hardship Plan

Entering a hardship program may cause a small dip in your credit score when Chase reports the modification to the credit bureaus. However, staying current on the modified payments is far better for your credit than missing payments or defaulting. A modified account that is paid on time each month will recover faster than an account in default or sent to collections.

The credit bureaus will see the account as "modified" or "restructured" for as long as the plan is active. Once you complete the hardship period and return to standard terms, the account will gradually look normal again to future lenders. The key is to make every payment on time during the hardship period — missing even one payment can end the plan and trigger late fees or default proceedings.

What Happens After Your Hardship Plan Ends

Most Chase hardship plans last between 3 and 12 months. When the period ends, your account returns to its original terms unless you and Chase agree to extend or modify the plan again. If you have recovered financially, you resume your regular monthly payment at the original interest rate.

If your hardship is ongoing and you still cannot afford the regular payment, contact Chase before the plan expires to request another modification. The bank is more likely to grant a second plan if you made all payments on time during the first one. However, there are limits to how many times Chase will restructure an account, and the bank may eventually decline further modifications.

If you do not contact Chase and straightforward miss a payment after the hardship plan ends, the account will be treated as late, and you will face standard late fees and potential default proceedings.

Alternatives If Chase Denies Your Request

If Chase declines to offer a hardship plan, you have other options. You can request reconsideration by speaking with a supervisor or submitting a written appeal with additional documentation of your hardship. You can also explore a balance transfer to a card with a lower interest rate or 0% introductory period, though this requires approval and works only if your credit score has not dropped too far.

A debt management plan through a nonprofit credit counselor is another route. The counselor negotiates with Chase and other creditors on your behalf to lower interest rates and monthly payments. This is different from a hardship plan — it is a formal agreement managed by a third party — but it can achieve similar results. Organizations like the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) offer these services for a small fee or free, depending on your income.

If you are carrying debt across multiple cards and accounts, a debt management plan may be more effective than negotiating with each creditor separately. However, entering a debt management plan will affect your credit score and may require you to close the accounts involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a hardship plan hurt my credit score?

A hardship plan may cause a small initial dip when Chase reports the modification, but making on-time payments during the plan protects your credit far more than missing payments would. Once the plan ends and you return to normal payments, your score will recover. Missing payments or defaulting causes much worse damage.

Can I get a hardship plan if I am already late on payments?

Yes, but the sooner you contact Chase, the better. If you are 30 days late, Chase is more likely to work with you than if you are 90 days late or in default. Once an account is sent to collections, your options shrink significantly.

What if I cannot afford the modified payment either?

Contact Chase before the hardship plan expires and explain that your situation has not improved. Request another modification or discuss other options such as a longer repayment term. If Chase will not help further, explore a debt management plan through a nonprofit counselor or consider bankruptcy if your total debt is very high.

Do I have to accept the first offer Chase makes?

No. If the offer does not solve your problem, you can ask for a different modification. For example, if Chase offers to lower your interest rate but your issue is the monthly payment amount, ask for a lower payment instead. Be specific about what you need to make the plan work.

Can I explore for a hardship plan online?

Chase does not have a standard online process for hardship programs. You must call customer service or use your online account to request consideration. Some account types have a hardship option in the account menu, but most require a phone call to a specialist team.