Quick answer
A hardship letter explains what happened, when, how it affected your income, what you can pay now and exactly what you are asking for: a payment plan, a deferral, a fee waiver or a reduced balance. Keep it to one page, attach proof such as a layoff notice or medical bill, and send it in a way you can track. Keep a copy.
What to include
- Your name, account number and contact information.
- What happened and when: a job loss, reduced hours, illness, divorce, a death in the family, a disaster.
- The effect on your income, in numbers if you can.
- What you can pay now and when your situation should improve.
- The specific request: "a three-month deferral," "a payment plan of $100 a month," "waiver of late fees."
- Proof, listed at the bottom.
What to leave out
Long backstory, blame, and promises you cannot keep. Do not share more medical detail than needed; "a hospital stay in March" is enough.
Template
[Date]
[Your name], [address], [phone], [account or lease number]
Dear [name or department],
I am writing to ask for help with my [rent / loan / account]. On [date], [what happened]. Since then my household income has dropped from about $[amount] to $[amount] a month.
I can pay $[amount] on [date]. I am asking for [specific request] until [date], when I expect [new job / return to work / benefits to start].
I have attached [documents]. Please reply in writing to the address above. Thank you for considering this.
Sincerely, [name]
After you send it
Follow up by phone after a few business days, ask for the decision in writing and keep paying what you offered while you wait.
Common questions
Who accepts hardship letters?
Landlords, mortgage servicers, auto lenders, credit card companies, utilities, hospitals and student loan servicers all review them. Some have their own form; ask first.
Do I need to send proof?
It helps. A layoff notice, reduced-hours letter, medical bill or benefits letter makes your request easier to approve.
Can a hardship letter stop a repossession or eviction?
It can lead to an agreement that does, but it does not pause anything on its own. Call as well as write, and keep to any deadlines in notices or court papers.
Where these facts come from
- CFPB: trouble making car payments
- CFPB: what to do if you can't pay a medical bill
- CFPB: help for renters
Sources checked October 10, 2026. Programs and rules change; confirm details with the agency or company before you act.
Disclosures
Not a lender. NeededCash.com is not a lender, loan broker, or agent of any lender and does not make credit decisions. We operate a free matching service that shares the information you submit with participating licensed lenders and lending partners, who may contact you with an offer and who pay us a referral fee.
Rates and terms. Each lender sets its own rates, fees, and terms and will disclose them in writing as required by the federal Truth in Lending Act before you sign. Personal and installment loans from lenders in our network typically carry APRs from about 5.99% to 35.99% with terms from 3 to 84 months. Representative example: a $5,000 loan over 36 months at 15.99% APR has 36 payments of $175.76 and a total cost of $6,327.36.