Bank of America Hardship Program & Credit Card Payment Help
A Bank of America hardship program or another credit card assistance option may be available if financial circumstances make it difficult to keep up with your payments. Bank of America advises customers experiencing payment problems to contact the bank promptly so available options can be reviewed.
If Bank of America is only one of several credit cards causing financial stress, nonprofit credit counseling may also help you compare your overall debt, household budget and repayment options.
Free initial consultation. No new loan required for a DMP. No obligation to enroll.
Nonprofit Credit Counseling Since 2001
How to Ask About a Bank of America Hardship Program
Bank of America states that the sooner customers contact the bank about payment difficulties, the sooner it can work with them toward a possible solution. Available assistance depends on the account and individual financial circumstances.
Bank of America's published number for credit card assistance.
9 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern Time
General Bank of America credit card customer service.
How Does a Bank of America Hardship Program Work?
Bank of America provides assistance resources for customers who are having difficulty making credit card payments. However, the bank does not publish one universal hardship plan with the same reduced payment, interest rate or duration for every cardholder.
Instead, available options can depend on your account and financial situation. Contacting Bank of America directly is therefore an important first step when that account is the primary source of your payment problem.
Before agreeing to an arrangement: Ask Bank of America to explain the required payment, any interest-rate change, what happens to the card and how long the assistance terms remain in effect.
3 Questions to Ask About a Bank of America Hardship Program
A smaller monthly payment may help your budget, but the complete terms matter. Make sure you understand how an offer could affect repayment and use of the account.
What Will My Payment Be?
Confirm the required monthly amount, when the new payment begins and whether it changes again later.
What Happens to My APR?
Ask whether the interest rate changes and whether any adjusted rate is temporary or continues for a defined period.
What Happens to My Card?
Find out whether the account remains open for purchases, becomes restricted or will be closed under the arrangement.
Bank of America Hardship Program: Three Repayment Options
The best next step depends partly on how much you owe, whether other creditors are involved and how quickly your current payment can reduce the balance.
Work With Bank of America
If one Bank of America card is the primary problem, ask the bank what account-specific assistance is currently available.
Pay the Balance Yourself
If your budget supports it, calculate whether a larger monthly payment could eliminate the balance within a reasonable period.
Review a Debt Management Program
When several high-interest cards strain your budget, a nonprofit DMP may provide a coordinated repayment approach for eligible accounts.
When a Bank of America Hardship Program May Not Be Enough
Improving one Bank of America payment may not solve a larger cash-flow problem. If you also have high-interest balances with other lenders, nonprofit credit counseling can help you review the complete debt picture.
Bank of America Credit Cards and a Debt Management Program
Bank of America's own consumer information discusses nonprofit credit counseling and Debt Management Plans as resources that may help consumers manage debt.
Through a DMP, eligible participating accounts may receive reduced interest rates, payments or other creditor concessions. Qualifying clients generally make one scheduled program payment, and the counseling agency distributes funds to participating creditors.
A traditional Debt Management Program is not a new consolidation loan. The goal is to repay enrolled balances through a structured program without borrowing additional money.
Bank of America participation and final terms depend on the individual account and current creditor guidelines, so a particular payment or APR cannot be guaranteed.
DebtWave's Experience With Bank of America Credit Card Accounts
DebtWave reviewed Bank of America credit card accounts enrolled in its Debt Management Program from 2010 through 2024. These historical averages show what occurred within that group; they do not guarantee future creditor terms or individual results.
Historical DebtWave analysis of Bank of America credit card accounts enrolled from 2010 through 2024. Historical averages and outcomes do not guarantee that a particular consumer will receive the same payment, APR, repayment period or result. Creditor guidelines can change.
Bank of America Hardship Program vs. a Debt Management Program
Both approaches may help with payment pressure, but they serve different purposes. The biggest distinction is whether you need help with one Bank of America account or a broader group of eligible creditors.
| Feature | Bank of America Assistance | Debt Management Program |
|---|---|---|
| Who provides it? | Bank of America | Nonprofit credit counseling agency |
| Accounts addressed | Eligible Bank of America account | Multiple eligible participating creditors may be included |
| New loan required? | No | No |
| Payment or APR changes? | Depends on account-specific assistance | Depends on participating-creditor guidelines |
| Budget and debt review? | Not the primary purpose | Included in the counseling process |
Estimate Your Bank of America DMP Payment and APR
Use DebtWave's dedicated Debt Management Plan Calculator to compare your current balance, payment and APR with estimated program terms.
Calculator results are estimates. Actual Bank of America participation, payments and interest rates depend on the individual account and current creditor guidelines.
Why Consider DebtWave?
DebtWave Credit Counseling, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has provided credit counseling, financial education and Debt Management Programs since 2001.
DebtWave is also a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. Bank of America's own credit-counseling resources identify nonprofit counseling and the NFCC as resources consumers can consider when they need help managing debt.
Speaking with DebtWave does not require you to enroll in a DMP. A counselor can first review your Bank of America balance together with your other debts and household budget.
NFCC Member Agency
DebtWave is listed in the National Foundation for Credit Counseling member-agency directory.
Bank of America Hardship Program FAQs
Does Bank of America have a hardship program for credit cards?
Bank of America provides assistance resources for customers experiencing credit card payment difficulties. The bank does not publish one universal hardship plan with identical terms for every cardholder, so available solutions depend on the account and individual circumstances.
What number should I call for Bank of America credit card assistance?
Bank of America currently lists 855-891-3401 for credit card assistance, with published hours Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
Should I contact Bank of America before I miss a payment?
Contacting the bank promptly can be worthwhile if you expect difficulty making upcoming payments. Bank of America states that the sooner customers contact the bank, the sooner it can work with them toward a possible solution.
Can Bank of America lower my credit card interest rate because of hardship?
Available assistance varies by account. Bank of America does not publish one guaranteed hardship APR for every cardholder, so ask what payment or interest options are available for your specific account.
How long does a Bank of America hardship arrangement last?
There is no single published duration that applies to every Bank of America credit card account. If assistance is offered, confirm how long the terms remain in effect and what happens when the arrangement ends.
Does Bank of America discuss nonprofit credit counseling?
Yes. Bank of America's consumer resources discuss nonprofit credit counseling and Debt Management Plans as possible tools for people who need help managing debt.
Can a Bank of America credit card be included in a Debt Management Program?
Eligible Bank of America accounts may be able to participate in a DMP. Participation and final terms depend on the individual account and current creditor guidelines.
Will my Bank of America card be closed if it is enrolled in a DMP?
Credit card accounts enrolled in a Debt Management Program are generally closed or restricted from new purchases. Specific account treatment can vary according to creditor requirements.
Does a DMP settle my Bank of America balance for less than I owe?
Generally, no. A traditional Debt Management Program focuses on repaying enrolled balances rather than negotiating principal balances down through debt settlement.
What if I have Bank of America plus several other credit cards?
A nonprofit credit counseling session can review multiple unsecured creditors together. That may be especially useful when a Bank of America payment is only one part of a larger monthly debt burden.
How can I estimate a Bank of America DMP payment?
Use DebtWave's Debt Management Plan Calculator to compare your current balance, payment and APR with estimated DMP terms. Actual creditor terms may differ from the estimate.
Get Help With Bank of America Credit Card Debt
If your Bank of America payment has become difficult, start by asking the bank about available account assistance. When several credit cards are putting pressure on your budget, reviewing the complete situation may be more useful than addressing only one account.
DebtWave can provide a free financial review and help you compare your current repayment strategy with estimated Debt Management Program terms.
DebtWave Credit Counseling, Inc. is not affiliated with or endorsed by Bank of America, N.A. Bank of America trademarks belong to their respective owner. Bank of America assistance programs, eligibility requirements and account terms may change. Debt Management Program eligibility, creditor participation, interest rates, payments and concessions vary by creditor and individual account. Historical results do not guarantee future outcomes. DebtWave is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and does not lend money.