What to Do If You Can’t Pay Your Credit Card Bill This Month

If you can’t pay your credit card bill this month, do not ignore the problem. The best thing you can do is look at your available money, prioritize your bills and contact your credit card issuer as soon as possible if you cannot make at least the minimum payment.

A temporary financial problem does not necessarily mean that your credit will be permanently damaged. However, ignoring the bill can make the situation more expensive and difficult to fix.

If you can’t pay your credit card bill in full, you may still be able to make the minimum payment. If you cannot afford even the minimum, contacting the issuer before or around the due date may give you more options.

Can’t Pay Your Credit Card Bill? Do This First

If you are worried because you can’t pay your credit card bill this month, follow these steps:

1. Check exactly how much money you have available.
2. Review the minimum payment and due date.
3. Stop using the card if you are already struggling to pay it.
4. Contact the credit card issuer if you cannot make the minimum payment.
5. Ask about hardship programs or temporary payment options.
6. Prioritize essential expenses and required debt payments.
7. Avoid taking expensive new debt to cover the bill if possible.

The most important thing is to act early.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends contacting your credit card company immediately if you cannot pay your credit card bills. Many issuers may be willing to discuss payment options when a cardholder is facing financial difficulty.

Can You Pay Only the Minimum Payment?

If you cannot pay the full balance, making at least the minimum payment may help you avoid being considered late on the account.

However, paying only the minimum can be expensive over time.

The remaining balance generally continues to accrue interest according to the card’s terms. This means that your balance may take much longer to pay off.

For example, if you owe $2,000 and only make small minimum payments, the balance may remain for a long time depending on your APR and payment calculation.

The minimum payment can help you stay current, but it is not usually the fastest way to eliminate credit card debt.

What if you can’t even make the minimum payment?

If you can’t pay your credit card minimum payment, contact the issuer as soon as possible.

Explain:

• Why you cannot make the payment.
• How much you can afford to pay.
• When you expect your financial situation to improve.
• Whether you are requesting a temporary payment arrangement.

The issuer may have options depending on your circumstances.

Contact Your Credit Card Company Before You Miss the Payment

One of the most important steps to take if you can’t pay your credit card bill is to contact the card issuer.

You do not have to wait until your account is seriously delinquent.

Call the customer service number on the back of your card or on your billing statement.

When you speak with the issuer, be honest and specific.

You could explain:

“I am experiencing a temporary financial problem and I may not be able to make my required payment this month. I can afford to pay $___ right now. What options are available?”

The more specific you are, the easier it may be for the issuer to understand your situation.

The CFPB recommends explaining why you cannot make the minimum payment, how much you can afford to pay and when you may be able to resume normal payments.

What Happens If You Miss a Credit Card Payment?

If you can’t pay your credit card bill and miss the required payment, several things can happen.

Depending on the issuer and the terms of your account, you may face:

• A late fee.
• Additional interest.
• A higher interest rate in certain circumstances.
• Damage to your credit history.
• Collection activity if the account remains unpaid.

A payment that is only a few days late may be treated differently from a payment that remains unpaid for several weeks or months.

The longer an account remains delinquent, the more serious the consequences can become.

The Federal Trade Commission advises consumers to make at least the minimum payment by the due date when possible because failing to do so can result in fees, interest and potential damage to credit history.

Will One Missed Payment Ruin Your Credit Score?

Not necessarily.

A single missed payment does not automatically destroy your credit score forever.

However, the consequences can become more serious if the payment remains unpaid.

Credit reporting and late-payment practices depend on the account and applicable rules. A payment that is only briefly late may not have the same effect as an account that becomes seriously delinquent.

The important thing is not to assume that one missed payment means the situation is hopeless.

If you can’t pay your credit card, contact the issuer and try to find a solution as soon as possible.

Should You Use Another Credit Card to Pay the Bill?

Using another credit card to cover a payment can sometimes create a temporary solution, but it can also move the debt from one account to another.

For example:

• Card A has a $1,000 balance.
• You cannot make the payment.
• You use Card B to cover another expense.

You may temporarily free up cash, but your total debt has not disappeared.

Using a balance transfer may be different because it can potentially move debt to another account with different terms. However, balance transfers may involve fees and promotional rates can expire.

Before transferring debt, understand:

• The balance transfer fee.
• The promotional APR.
• The length of the promotional period.
• The regular APR after the promotion ends.

If you are already struggling to make payments, taking on additional credit should be approached carefully.

Should You Take Out a Personal Loan to Pay a Credit Card?

A personal loan can sometimes be used to consolidate credit card debt.

However, it is not automatically a better option.

You should compare:

• The loan’s APR.
• Origination fees.
• Monthly payment.
• Repayment period.
• Total amount repaid.

A lower monthly payment may simply mean that you are paying the debt over a longer period.

A consolidation loan can make sense in some situations, but only if the new debt is genuinely more manageable and you avoid building up new credit card balances afterward.

Ask About a Credit Card Hardship Program

Some credit card issuers may offer assistance to customers experiencing financial hardship.

The options can vary significantly.

A hardship program could potentially involve:

• A temporary reduction in the interest rate.
• A modified payment amount.
• A temporary payment arrangement.
• Other account-specific assistance.

There is no guarantee that an issuer will approve a specific option.

You should ask what the program involves before agreeing to anything.

Questions to ask include:

• How long does the program last?
• What will my monthly payment be?
• Will the interest rate change?
• Will the card be suspended?
• Will the account be reported differently to the credit bureaus?
• What happens after the program ends?

Get the details in writing whenever possible.

Create a One-Month Emergency Budget

If you can’t pay your credit card bill because of a temporary shortage of money, focus on the next 30 days.

Start by listing:

Money coming in

Include:

• Paychecks.
• Freelance income.
• Benefits.
• Other reliable income.

Essential expenses

Prioritize:

• Housing.
• Utilities.
• Food.
• Transportation.
• Insurance.
• Necessary medical expenses.

Required debt payments

List:

• Credit card minimum payments.
• Auto loans.
• Student loans.
• Other required payments.

Then look for expenses that can be paused or reduced temporarily.

For example:

• Cancel unused subscriptions.
• Reduce discretionary spending.
• Delay nonessential purchases.
• Review automatic payments.

The goal is not to create a perfect budget.

The goal is to determine what money is available right now.

What Bills Should You Prioritize?

When money is limited, you may not be able to pay every bill in full.

Start by protecting essential needs.

Housing, utilities, food and transportation may be more immediately important than paying extra toward a credit card balance.

After essential expenses, review required debt payments and contact creditors if you cannot meet your obligations.

Do not simply assume that ignoring a creditor is the best option.

Communication can give you more information about available alternatives.

Stop Using the Credit Card If You Cannot Pay It

If you can’t pay your credit card bill because the balance is already too high, continuing to use the card may make the problem worse.

Every new purchase increases the amount you eventually need to repay.

Before using the card again, ask yourself:

Can I pay this new purchase when the next bill arrives?

If the answer is no, using the card may increase your financial stress.

You may need to temporarily rely on a different spending plan while you work on stabilizing your finances.

What If You Are Only Short by a Small Amount?

If you are only slightly short of the minimum payment, review your budget carefully.

You may be able to:

• Reduce a nonessential expense.
• Delay a purchase.
• Use available cash.
• Contact the issuer to discuss your options.

However, avoid relying on payday loans or extremely expensive short-term borrowing unless you fully understand the cost.

A small credit card payment should not automatically lead to a much more expensive debt.

What If You Are Several Months Behind?

If you are already seriously behind, contact the card issuer immediately.

The longer you wait, the more complicated the situation may become.

The Federal Trade Commission recommends speaking with your credit card company and asking about a payment plan you can afford. It also warns consumers to be cautious with debt relief companies that promise to eliminate debt or tell consumers to stop communicating with creditors or stop making payments.

You may also consider speaking with a reputable nonprofit credit counseling organization.

Before working with any organization, understand:

• What services it provides.
• What fees it charges.
• How the program works.
• Whether it is a nonprofit organization.
• What effect the program could have on your accounts.

Be Careful With Debt Settlement Companies

When people can’t pay their credit card bills, they may search for companies promising to reduce their debt.

Some companies may advertise that they can negotiate with creditors.

However, you should be careful.

Warning signs include companies that:

• Guarantee they can eliminate your debt.
• Promise a specific reduction without reviewing your situation.
• Tell you to stop communicating with your credit card company.
• Tell you to stop making payments.
• Charge fees before resolving your debt.

The CFPB specifically warns consumers to watch for these types of claims when considering debt relief services.

You can often contact your creditor yourself without paying a company to make the initial call on your behalf.

Can You Ask the Credit Card Company to Waive a Late Fee?

Sometimes.

If you have a good payment history and the late payment was unusual, you can contact the issuer and ask whether the fee can be waived.

There is no guarantee that the issuer will agree.

However, asking is generally better than assuming nothing can be done.

If you believe you paid on time but were charged a late fee, contact the issuer and ask for an explanation. The CFPB notes that a late fee cannot be charged in certain circumstances when at least the minimum payment was received on time according to applicable payment requirements.

What If You Cannot Pay Any Credit Card Bills?

If you can’t pay your credit card bills at all, you may need a broader financial plan.

Start by listing:

• Every credit card balance.
• Every minimum payment.
• Every interest rate.
• Every source of income.
• Every essential monthly expense.

Then contact your creditors.

You may also consider nonprofit credit counseling if you need help organizing your debt.

The goal is to understand the complete situation rather than focusing on only one bill.

If your total debt is far beyond what you can realistically repay, you may need professional advice about your options.

What Happens If You Ignore the Credit Card Bill?

Ignoring the bill generally does not make the debt disappear.

Depending on how long the account remains unpaid, the creditor may:

• Continue sending statements.
• Charge interest according to the account terms.
• Add applicable fees.
• Report delinquent payments.
• Send the account to collections.
• Take additional collection actions permitted by law.

The FTC notes that serious delinquency can damage credit and that a debt may still remain owed even after an account is charged off.

This is why contacting the issuer is usually better than simply avoiding the problem.

What If the Problem Is a Billing Error?

Sometimes you can’t pay your credit card bill because the amount is incorrect.

For example:

• A payment was not credited.
• You were charged twice.
• A transaction is not yours.
• A fee appears to be incorrect.

Review the statement carefully.

If you believe there is a billing error, contact the card issuer and follow the dispute process.

The CFPB recommends reviewing your statement, contacting the issuer and following up in writing when appropriate. You should continue paying the undisputed portion of the bill while a dispute is investigated.

Do not simply stop paying the entire bill because one transaction is being disputed.

What to Do If You Cannot Pay Because of a Temporary Emergency

A temporary emergency may include:

• Job loss.
• Unexpected medical expenses.
• A major car repair.
• A delayed paycheck.
• A family emergency.

If the problem is temporary, explain that clearly to your credit card issuer.

You may be able to request a short-term arrangement.

The key is to contact the issuer before the problem becomes more serious.

Even if the issuer cannot offer a special program, you may receive useful information about your account and available options.

How to Prevent the Same Problem Next Month

Once the immediate crisis is under control, focus on preventing the situation from repeating.

Build a small emergency fund

Even a modest amount of savings can help cover unexpected expenses.

Reduce recurring expenses

Review subscriptions and monthly bills regularly.

Stop adding new credit card debt

If you are struggling to repay the existing balance, new purchases can make the problem worse.

Create a payment plan

Decide how much you can realistically pay every month.

A realistic plan is better than promising to make payments you cannot afford.

Set up payment reminders

Late payments can sometimes happen because of a missed due date.

Use:

• Calendar reminders.
• Account alerts.
• Automatic payments for an amount you can safely cover.

Be careful with automatic payments if your bank account does not have enough money. Automatic debits can potentially lead to overdraft fees if the account lacks sufficient funds.

What to Do If You Can’t Pay Your Credit Card Bill This Month: Final Verdict

If you can’t pay your credit card bill this month, the worst option is usually to ignore the problem.

First, review your budget and determine whether you can make at least the minimum payment. If you cannot, contact your credit card issuer as soon as possible and explain your situation.

Ask about hardship assistance, payment arrangements or other options that may be available.

You should also stop adding unnecessary purchases to the card and avoid taking on expensive new debt without understanding the full cost.

If the problem is larger than one monthly bill, create a complete debt plan and consider reputable nonprofit credit counseling.

A temporary financial problem can become much more serious when it is ignored. Acting early gives you more time to understand your options and potentially limit the damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I can’t pay my credit card bill this month?

Review your budget, determine how much you can afford to pay and contact your credit card issuer if you cannot make the minimum payment. The issuer may have payment options or hardship assistance available.

Is it better to pay something or nothing on a credit card?

If possible, making at least the required minimum payment can help you avoid being considered late. If you cannot afford the minimum, contact the issuer and explain your situation.

Can I ask my credit card company for a lower payment?

You can contact the issuer and ask about payment arrangements or hardship assistance. Options vary by company and individual circumstances.

Will missing one credit card payment ruin my credit?

Not necessarily. The effect depends on how late the payment becomes and your overall credit profile. However, you should contact the issuer and address the missed payment as soon as possible.

Should I use another credit card to pay my bill?

Using another card may temporarily move the problem but does not eliminate the debt. Consider the cost of any new borrowing carefully.

What is a credit card hardship program?

A hardship program is an assistance arrangement that some issuers may offer to customers experiencing financial difficulty. Terms can vary and may include temporary changes to payments or interest rates.

Should I use a debt relief company?

Be careful. Some debt relief companies charge fees or make promises that are difficult to guarantee. Research the company carefully and understand the services and costs before agreeing to anything.

Can a credit counselor help with credit card debt?

A reputable nonprofit credit counseling organization may help you review your budget and debt repayment options. Understand the organization’s fees and services before enrolling.

What happens if I never pay my credit card bill?

The account may become delinquent, additional costs may apply and your credit history may be affected. The creditor may eventually pursue collection activity. Ignoring the debt does not make it disappear.

Can I stop using my credit card if I still owe money?

Yes. You can generally stop making new purchases while continuing to make payments on the existing balance.

Keep Reading

• What Is APR on a Credit Card and How Is It Calculated?
• What Is Revolving Credit and How Does It Affect Your Credit Score?
• How to Cancel a Credit Card Without Hurting Your Credit Score
• What to Do If Your Credit Card Is Lost or Stolen
• Best Credit Cards With No Foreign Transaction Fees

Editorial note: Credit card terms, issuer policies, hardship programs and debt relief options can vary. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice.