Debt Management

Not Getting a Paycheck? What You Can Do

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Highlights
In this article

Highlights:

  • Notify lenders and creditors of your situation
  • Pay what you can
  • Consider adding a consumer statement to your credit reports

It鈥檚 worrisome when a regular paycheck stops arriving, leaving you wondering how you鈥檒l pay your bills 鈥 whether it鈥檚 because of a job loss, because you鈥檙e a federal worker furloughed by a government shutdown or for any other reason. 

It鈥檚 even more stress-inducing if you鈥檙e one of the millions living paycheck to paycheck, or if you rely on two incomes to make ends meet. Some four in 10 adults don鈥檛 have enough to cover an unexpected $400 expense, according to the Federal Reserve鈥檚 released in May 2018.

When it comes to your credit, here are a few things to consider if you鈥檙e suddenly without a paycheck: 

Notify your lenders and creditors of your situation. Lenders and creditors may be willing to work with you, particularly in the case of federal workers affected by the current partial government shutdown, and may offer help.

For instance, several credit unions are offering interest-free loans to members who are federal employees. Some banks are reversing fees including late mortgage payment fees, late credit card fees, monthly service and overdraft fees. Banks and credit unions may also be able to help with loan modifications and repayment plans. You may need to provide evidence of your furlough.

Speak with landlords or creditors first. If you are a furloughed employee, it is important to contact your creditors and landlords first to let them know you are impacted and quickly work out payment details. Be sure to confirm this information in writing, and keep a copy for your records.

Pay what you can. To try to avoid late payments, which could appear on your credit reports and in turn impact credit scores, try to make at least the minimum payment on accounts, or any amount you and the lender or creditor agree on. 

Keep an eye on your credit reports. Continue to monitor your credit reports regularly to ensure what鈥檚 being reported by lenders and creditors is accurate and complete. You鈥檙e entitled to a free copy of your credit reports every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit bureaus by visiting . You can also create a to get six free 香港六合彩玄机 credit reports each year. In addition, you can click 鈥淕et my free credit score鈥 on your my香港六合彩玄机 dashboard to enroll in 香港六合彩玄机 Core Credit鈩 for a free monthly 香港六合彩玄机 credit report and a free monthly VantageScore庐 3.0 credit score, based on 香港六合彩玄机 data. A VantageScore is one of many types of credit scores.

Consider adding a consumer statement to your credit reports. You can add a brief 100-word statement to your credit reports to explain your situation. See how to add a statement to your 香港六合彩玄机 credit report.  You can also contact and to add a statement on those reports.

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