Chase does not offer formal payment plans for existing credit card balances, but it does have hardship programs that can lower your interest rate or pause payments if you are struggling

If you carry a balance on a Chase credit card and cannot pay it in full, Chase will not let you set up a structured payment plan with a fixed end date and reduced monthly payment. Instead, Chase offers hardship programs — temporary relief options you request directly — and balance transfer cards that let you move debt to a 0% promotional rate for a set period. The route you take depends on whether you need immediate payment relief or a way to stop interest charges while you pay down what you owe.

The key difference: a payment plan is something the lender offers automatically or on request as a standard product. A hardship program is something you must ask for, and it requires you to explain your situation. Chase evaluates each request individually, so approval is not may provide.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase hardship programs can reduce your interest rate, pause payments temporarily, or waive fees if you contact them and explain a financial hardship.
  • Balance transfer cards with 0% introductory rates let you move debt to a new card and pay no interest for 6 to 21 months, depending on the card.
  • You must call Chase directly — there is no online form to request hardship relief, and the process is not automatic.
  • If you are behind on payments, Chase may offer a workout agreement that outlines a catch-up schedule and what happens if you miss a payment.
  • Hardship programs and balance transfers both affect your credit score, but missing payments or defaulting will damage it far more.

How to request hardship relief from Chase

Call the customer service number on the back of your Chase credit card and ask to speak with a representative about hardship options. Have your account number ready and be prepared to explain your situation — job loss, medical emergency, divorce, or another specific event that has made payments difficult. Chase is more likely to help if the hardship is recent and temporary rather than ongoing.

When you call, you are not applying for anything in the formal sense. You are asking Chase to consider modifying your account terms. The representative will review your account history, current balance, and payment status, then tell you what options are available. This might include a temporary interest rate reduction, a pause on payments for one to three months, a waiver of late fees, or a combination of these.

There is no standard timeline for approval. Some requests are resolved in the same call; others require Chase to review your information and contact you within a few business days. If Chase approves relief, you will receive written confirmation of the terms — keep this document.

Balance transfer cards as an alternative to payment plans

If you do not may have access to for hardship relief or prefer not to request it, a balance transfer moves your debt to a new Chase card (or another issuer's card) with a 0% introductory interest rate. This gives you a fixed window — typically 6 to 21 months depending on the card — to pay down the balance without interest charges. Any payment you make during that period goes entirely toward the principal, not interest.

Balance transfer cards usually charge a fee of 3% to 5% of the amount transferred, charged upfront or added to your new balance. If you transfer $5,000 at a 3% fee, you owe $5,150 on the new card. After the promotional period ends, any remaining balance is charged the card's regular purchase APR, which can be 15% to 25% depending on your creditworthiness.

This works best if you can pay down a meaningful portion of the debt during the interest-free period. If you transfer $5,000 and pay $100 per month, you will owe roughly $3,800 when the promotional rate expires — and then interest kicks in on that remaining balance.

Workout agreements if you are already behind on payments

If you have missed one or more payments, Chase may offer a workout agreement instead of pursuing collections. This is a written contract that outlines how much you will pay each month and for how long, with the goal of bringing your account current. Workout agreements typically run 3 to 12 months.

The terms vary based on how far behind you are and your payment history before the missed payments. Chase might agree to a lower monthly payment than your normal minimum, or to pause interest accrual during the catch-up period. In exchange, you must make every payment on time — missing even one payment can void the agreement and trigger collections action.

Ask for a workout agreement in writing. If a Chase representative offers one over the phone, request that they mail or email you the terms before you commit. Read it carefully: some agreements include a clause that allows Chase to resume collections if you miss a single payment, while others build in a small grace period.

What happens to your credit score during hardship programs

Requesting a hardship program or balance transfer does not automatically hurt your credit score, but both actions have credit consequences you should understand. A balance transfer triggers a hard inquiry (a small, temporary dip) and opens a new account, which lowers your average account age. The new card also increases your total available credit, which can help your score if you keep the old card open and unused.

A hardship program does not show up as a separate item on your credit report, but if Chase reports your account as "in forbearance" or "payment deferred," that notation may appear and could lower your score slightly. The bigger risk is that if you miss a payment before or after the hardship program ends, that missed payment stays on your report for seven years and damages your score far more than the hardship itself.

Missing payments or defaulting on the debt will hurt your score much more than either of these options. If you are choosing between a hardship program and doing nothing, the hardship program is the better choice for your credit.

When Chase will not offer relief

Chase may decline a hardship request if your account is in good standing and you have no documented hardship, or if you have repeatedly requested relief in the past. If you simply want a lower payment because you prefer to spend money elsewhere, Chase will not modify your account.

Chase also will not offer relief if your account is already in default or has been charged off — meaning Chase has written off the debt as uncollectible. At that point, the account may be sold to a debt collection agency, and you would negotiate with the collector, not Chase.

If your request is denied, ask why. Sometimes a second call to a different representative yields a different result, especially if your situation has changed or if you can provide additional documentation of hardship.

Debt consolidation and personal loans as alternatives

If Chase hardship programs do not work for you, a personal loan from another lender can consolidate your credit card debt into a single monthly payment with a fixed end date. Personal loans typically have lower interest rates than credit cards (8% to 36%, depending on your credit score and the lender), and the loan term is set upfront — usually 2 to 7 years.

The trade-off is that a personal loan requires a hard inquiry and a new account, both of which affect your credit score. You also pay interest on the full loan amount, whereas a balance transfer lets you pay 0% interest during the promotional period. Personal loans make sense if you cannot may have access to for a balance transfer, if your balance is too large for a balance transfer card, or if you want the certainty of a fixed payment and end date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set up a payment plan directly through Chase's website?

No. Chase does not offer self-service payment plans online. You must call customer service to request hardship relief. Some Chase cards offer a feature called "Chase Pay Over Time" for individual purchases, but this is not the same as a payment plan for your full balance.

What if I miss a payment during a hardship program?

Missing a payment during a hardship program can void the agreement and trigger late fees and collections action. If you know you will miss a payment, call Chase immediately — they may extend the program or modify the terms rather than cancel it outright.

How long does a balance transfer take to post?

Balance transfers typically post within 7 to 14 business days after you open the new card and request the transfer. During that time, you should continue making minimum payments on your old Chase card to avoid late fees.

Will a hardship program stop me from using my credit card?

Most hardship programs do not close your account or prevent you from making new purchases, but Chase may reduce your credit limit or freeze new charges. Ask the representative what restrictions apply to your specific agreement.

Can I negotiate a lower interest rate without calling Chase?

Not formally. You can write a letter to Chase explaining your situation, but a phone call is faster and more likely to result in a conversation with someone who can make a decision. Email and online chat are not effective for hardship requests.