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Not being able to pay bills due to job loss or other unexpected circumstances is a difficult position to be in. If you’re thinking about borrowing cash to stabilize your finances, a hardship loan is an option to consider. Below we discuss the best hardship loans and what you need to know to compare and apply for hardship loans when you have bad credit.
Life can throw unexpected challenges our way, leaving us in need of quick cash to get through a difficult financial situation If you have bad credit but need access to funds, a hardship loan with guaranteed approval may provide the lifeline you need
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about hardship loans for bad credit with guaranteed approval, including:
- What are hardship loans?
- How do they work?
- What are the requirements?
- Where to find hardship loans guaranteed approval with bad credit
- Pros and cons of guaranteed approval hardship loans
- Alternatives to consider
- FAQs
What Are Hardship Loans?
Hardship loans are a type of personal loan designed for people experiencing financial challenges who need quick access to cash These loans are intended to help cover emergency costs or bridge gaps in income
Hardship loans for bad credit provide a lending option for those with poor or limited credit history who may not qualify for traditional loans Lenders offering these loans take into account your difficult situation rather than just your credit score
Key features of hardship loans include:
- Available to borrowers with bad credit or no credit history
- Fast approvals and funding
- Low or no minimum credit score requirement
- Higher interest rates and fees compared to traditional loans
- Smaller loan amounts
Hardship loans provide guaranteed approval to eligible applicants, even with poor credit. However, you’ll pay a premium for the convenience.
How Do Hardship Loans Work?
Hardship loans function similarly to personal loans but with looser approval requirements. Here’s a quick overview of how they work:
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Apply online – You fill out a simple application with details about your income, employment, and personal situation. Approval decisions are usually fast.
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Get approved – The lender reviews your information and approves you based on your ability to repay, not your credit score. Those with bad credit can qualify.
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Receive loan terms – After approval, you’ll receive loan terms including the loan amount, fees, interest rate, and repayment schedule. Rates and fees are higher than traditional loans.
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Get funding fast – If you accept the loan terms, the lender will deposit the funds directly into your bank account, often as fast as the next business day.
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Make payments – You’ll make scheduled payments over the loan term (typically 2 to 5 years) until it’s paid off. Payments are set monthly.
Hardship loans provide quick access to emergency funds without long credit checks or waiting periods. However, make sure you can afford the payments before accepting the loan.
Hardship Loan Requirements
Since hardship loans cater to borrowers with bad credit, they have less stringent requirements than traditional loans. Here are some common eligibility standards:
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Minimum credit score – Often no minimum score is required. Each lender is different but many accept scores under 600.
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Income – You’ll need regular income to prove affordability. Requirements vary but can be as low as $800 per month.
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Employment – Steady employment is usually required, whether full-time, part-time or self-employed. Some lenders accept other income sources like retirement or disability benefits.
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Age – You typically need to be at least 18 years old. Some lenders require applicants to be 21.
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ID verification – Valid government-issued ID is required.
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Bank account – An active checking account is necessary for receiving the loan and making payments.
As long as you meet the lender’s eligibility criteria, you can generally get approved regardless of credit history.
Where To Find Hardship Loans Guaranteed Approval With Bad Credit
Several online lenders offer guaranteed approval hardship loans for borrowers with bad credit. Here are some top places to consider:
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MoneyMutual: MoneyMutual connects borrowers with lenders offering bad credit loans up to $5,000. Apply online for free.
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CashUSA: CashUSA has a large lender network offering personal loans up to $10,000, including bad credit hardship loans.
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BadCreditLoans: BadCreditLoans partners with lenders that provide personal loans from $500 to $10,000 for people with bad credit.
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PersonalLoans: PersonalLoans works with lenders across all credit ranges and loan products, including guaranteed approval hardship loans.
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LendYou: LendYou matches borrowers needing quick funds with lenders offering guaranteed approval loans with flexible terms.
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247FastFunds: The 247FastFunds lending network provides fast funding for emergency costs even with bad credit.
Be sure to compare interest rates, fees, loan amounts, terms, and lender reviews before choosing a loan.
Pros and Cons of Guaranteed Approval Hardship Loans
Guaranteed approval hardship loans provide easy access to funds when you have nowhere else to turn. But these loans also come with costs and risks. Consider the pros and cons before applying:
Pros
- Fast approval decisions and funding
- Available to borrowers with poor credit or no credit history
- Flexible eligibility requirements
- Funds can be used for any purpose
Cons
- Very high interest rates and fees
- Lower maximum loan amounts
- Short repayment terms
- Risk of getting trapped in debt cycles
- Potential damage to credit if payments are missed
For many with bad credit facing an emergency, guaranteed approval hardship loans may be their only option. But make sure you understand the costs and only borrow what you can realistically repay.
Alternatives to Consider
Before resorting to a high-cost hardship loan, exhaust other options first:
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Ask for an advance – Speak to your employer about getting an advance on your paycheck if possible.
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Use community resources – Local nonprofits or government agencies may provide emergency cash grants or low-cost loans.
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Borrow from family/friends – Ask loved ones to loan you money if able. Offer to sign a contract.
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Low-interest credit cards – Transferring a balance to a 0% intro APR card can provide temporary interest-free financing.
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Debt management plan – A nonprofit credit counseling agency can set up a DMP to consolidate debt into one monthly payment.
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Bank loans – Banks may offer low-rate emergency loans or lines of credit even for poor credit.
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401k/life insurance loans – You may be able to borrow against retirement accounts or life insurance cash value.
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Auto title loans – These allow you to borrow based on your car’s value but have very high interest rates.
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Pawn shops – You can pawn belongings to get fast cash but risk losing items if payments are missed.
Exhaust all options before considering a high-cost guaranteed approval hardship loan. They should only be used as an absolute last resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What credit score is needed for a guaranteed approval hardship loan?
Many lenders do not have a minimum credit score requirement. Each looks at your entire financial profile. You can generally qualify with very poor credit under 600.
How fast can I get funds from a guaranteed approval hardship loan?
Funding can be as fast as one business day after approval. The lender sends the money directly to your checking account once the loan agreement is signed.
Where is the best place to get a guaranteed approval hardship loan with bad credit?
We recommend comparing lenders like MoneyMutual, CashUSA, BadCreditLoans, PersonalLoans, LendYou, and 247FastFunds to find the best rates, fees, and terms for your situation.
Should I take out a guaranteed approval hardship loan for bad credit?
These loans can help in an emergency but also carry risks. Exhaust all other options first and only borrow what you can realistically afford to repay on time. Use hardship loans as an absolute last resort due to high costs.
What can hardship loans be used for?
Most lenders allow you to use hardship loan proceeds for any purpose. Common uses are emergency expenses, medical bills, car repairs, home repairs, debt consolidation, or to cover gaps in income.
The Bottom Line
Hardship loans with guaranteed approval provide fast access to emergency funds even with bad credit. Just make sure you understand the costs and risks associated before borrowing. Exhaust all alternatives first and borrow responsibly if you move forward. With some planning and discipline, a hardship loan can help you get through a tough situation without doing permanent damage to your finances.
Alternatives to Hardship Loans for Poor Credit
Aside from hardship loans, there are other loans and strategies that could help you make ends meet during a financial emergency.
BEST FOR COMPARING MULTIPLE OFFERS
Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
$1,000 to $50,000 Editor’s Take
Universal Credit is an online lending platform that offers personal loans between $1,000 to $50,000 through its partners. Repayment terms range from three to seven years.
While Universal Credit makes finding a personal loan accessible even to those with damaged credit, it comes with a few tradeoffs. First, it charges high APRs, well above the most competitive rates seen on our list. Second, Universal Credit charges a 5.25% to 9.99% origination fee on all personal loans. Because this is deducted from your loan proceeds, you’ll need to factor this in when determining your loan amount to ensure you receive the necessary amount after the fact. Pros & Cons
- Flexible qualification requirements
- Next-day funding
- No prepayment penalty
- High APRs
- All personal loans charge a 5.25% to 9.99% origination fee
Details
Eligibility:
- Minimum credit score. 580
- Minimum income requirement. Does not disclose
- Co-signers. Does not disclose
- Co-borrowers. Does not disclose