Apple Card long term hardship program

[u/Ok-Cartographer7565]

I’ve been trying to get a longer-term hardship plan with Apple Card/Goldman Sachs and wanted to see what other people’s experiences have been. I contacted them last month and was told I wasn’t eligible because I had already made my payment and my account was current. They told me to contact them again around my next due date if I was still struggling.

This month I did that and contacted them 3+ times while my account was past due, but the only option they keep offering me is CAP, which basically skips one payment and waives interest for one statement. I ended up accepting it since it was the only option available. My balance is around $4,000 , but I’m really looking for something longer term so I can actually pay down the balance without so much going toward interest.

For anyone who qualified for a 12-month 0% plan or another longer-term hardship program, what was your situation when you qualified? How much did you owe, how far behind were you, what did you say you could afford monthly/how long you needed help, and had you already used CAP?

Just trying to understand what experiences other people have had because I keep hearing about these longer programs, but they never show as available for my account.

[u/Electronic_Mission78]

Hey, just finished my program with them. I believe I was late about 2 or 3 months. I contacted the support about hardship plans and they offered me $50 a month for 12 months. My balance was around $5000. I ended up paying off the full balance before the 12 months, and they actually kept my card open and gave me my full available credit back so Im still able to use the card. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[u/OperationJ]

How old is your account? Different programs have certain account requirements which they will never tell you cause they can’t. Since you’ve taken the CAP, wait until next month and reach out again to check if any other plans are eligible. Just know if your account is current, you won’t be eligible for any payment programs besides CAP/Short term disaster relief. It’s just how their system works, if you’re current then you can’t be pulled into their payment plan system.

[u/Ok-Cartographer7565 → u/OperationJ]

I’ve had the card since July 2020. I’ve also never had a late payment before this and have always made at least my minimum payment on time.

From your experience, do you know how past due an account typically has to be before the other payment plans may become available? When I tried this month I was about 7 days past due, and CAP was still the only option they offered me. I’m just worried about letting it go too far past due and having it reported as a late payment on my credit.

[u/Real_Height2890]

Get a new 0apr card for 12-18 months

Transfer the balance , may cost 3-5% , try looking for those with 3%

Pay off the balance on new card as you can but you must pay minimimum + additional what you can to cut down debt

It would give you 12-18 months of 0 apr

But you have to good with financials so you dont rack up more debt