What happens to credit card debt when you lose your job?
Emma Miller
Updated on February 06, 2026
Your credit card company might let you pause your card payments if you can’t afford them because of a temporary problem – for example if you’ve lost your job or you’re paying off priority debts like rent arrears. Ask your nearest Citizens Advice to help you make a plan for your debts.
How can I get out of debt if unemployed?
How to Manage Credit Card Debt If You’re Unemployed
- Contact Your Credit Card Issuers.
- Avoid Adding to Your Debt.
- Create a Monthly Budget.
- Keep Making Minimum Payments.
- Work With a Nonprofit Credit Counselor.
- Know You Have Options.
Should you pay off debt while unemployed?
You may have been able to pay off your bill in full while you were working, but during your time of unemployment, you may wind up having to roll over balances and pay interest charges. The idea is to keep your balance as low as possible and avoid using your cards as much as possible.
Can I get a credit card with no income?
If you don’t have enough income to qualify for a credit card on your own, you still have options. Seek out a co-signer: Ask a friend or family member with a good credit score to co-sign your application. Secured cards are for people looking to build or rebuild credit, so income requirements tend to be more relaxed.
Can you lose your house due to credit card debt?
Credit Card Debt is Unsecured Debt Fortunately, losing your home due to unpaid credit card debt is highly unlikely. Credit card debt is a type of unsecured debt. This type of debt differs from things such as mortgages or car loans, which are attached to an item (your house or your car).
What if I Cannot pay my credit card debt?
If you don’t pay your credit card bill, expect to pay late fees, receive increased interest rates and incur damages to your credit score. If you continue to miss payments, your card can be frozen, your debt could be sold to a collection agency and the collector of your debt could sue you and have your wages garnished.
Can a credit card company sue me for payment?
The credit card company might sue you. If you still don’t get caught up, the credit card company might decide to sue you for payment. Alternatively, the credit card company might decide to sell the debt to a debt buyer.
Can a collection agency still try to sue you?
Even if a collection agency can no longer sue you, they can still make efforts to collect the debt from you. That includes calling you, sending letters, or reporting the debt to a credit bureau if the debt is within the credit reporting time limit.
Is there a statute of limitations on suing a credit card company?
Statute of limitations has run out — Every civil lawsuit must be filed within a certain time frame. The statute of limitations vary from state-to-state, but most are in the 4-6 year range. The clock starts ticking on your case the date of your last credit card payment.
When do you get court papers about a credit card lawsuit?
When you get court papers about a credit card lawsuit, you have a choice: take no action, or use the laws to level the playing field. The debt collectors have done everything possible to convince you they have all the power, but that’s not true.