Decision block 01
First 24 hours: organize the problem
- Find the lender or servicer name, account number and support channel in your agreement.
- Identify the next payment date and the exact amount you expect to miss.
- Write down what changed—income interruption, medical cost, rent increase, bank error or another event.
- Contact the lender before the due date when possible and ask what documented hardship options exist.
- Keep a record of the date, representative, request and any new terms offered.
Decision block 02
Questions to ask the lender
- Can the due date be changed?
- Is a temporary reduced-payment, extension or modification available?
- Will interest or fees continue during the change?
- How will the arrangement be reported to consumer-reporting companies, if at all?
- Will a returned-payment or late fee apply?
- What happens if the hardship plan is not completed?
Decision block 03
If the problem is not just the lender payment
Budget check only. A lender determines actual eligibility and payment terms.
Pressure pointPossible non-loan route
Housing / rentCheck landlord payment plans and official/local housing-assistance resources.
UtilitiesAsk the utility about hardship, budget billing or shutoff-prevention programs.
Medical billsAsk the provider about financial assistance or interest-free payment plans.
Food / essentialsUse eligible community or government assistance before replacing recurring living costs with repeated high-cost credit.
Debt overloadA nonprofit credit counselor may help review a wider debt plan; verify the organization before sharing data or paying fees.
Decision block 04
Scams to avoid during hardship
- Upfront fees for a guaranteed new loan or guaranteed debt relief.
- A caller who tells you to stop communicating with your lender but will not explain the legal basis.
- Requests for passwords, gift cards, cryptocurrency or remote access to your device.
- Promises that a company can remove accurate negative information from a credit report simply because you pay it.