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Hardship letter generator
An honest, clear hardship letter to a lender, landlord or creditor asking for help.
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When income drops or a big expense hits, a well-written hardship letter can open the door to forbearance, a payment plan or a modified loan. Describe what happened and what you need, and get a clear, one-page letter with a specific request.
What a hardship letter should include
The cause and timing of the hardship, how it affects your ability to pay, what you have done since, a specific request and when you expect to recover. Lenders review many of these, so short and factual works best.
Make a specific request
'Please help' is hard to act on. Ask for something concrete - a three-month forbearance, a lower payment plan, a waived late fee - and say what you can pay now. It gives the reviewer a clear yes or no.
Back it up with documents
Include copies of a termination letter, medical bills, pay stubs or bank statements, as the recipient asks. Contact the lender early, ideally before you miss a payment, and keep notes of every call.
Plan the recovery
Once you have breathing room, the Monthly Budget Planner and Debt Payoff Planner help you rebuild a plan you can keep.
Questions
Is this financial or legal advice?
No. It is general information and a writing aid. HUD-approved housing counselors and nonprofit credit counselors can help with your specific situation.
How long should a hardship letter be?
One page. Clear facts and a specific request matter more than length.
Should I share personal details?
Share only what explains the hardship. You do not need to give private medical details beyond what the lender requests.