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In 2020, the average health insurance deductible was $4,364 for individuals, and a staggering $8,439 for families. (Thanks a lot, high-deductible health plans.) That’s a lot to pay upfront before insurance kicks in. What many people don’t know is that the medical bills you receive aren’t always set in stone. You may be able to work with the hospital, doctor, or ambulance service to negotiate a lower price.

We’ll explain how to research your medical bills, dispute overcharges, and negotiate a more fair and affordable price.

Preparing for Medical Bill Negotiation

Save Your Explanation of Benefits

Soon after you’ve received medical care, you should receive an explanation of benefits (EOB) from your insurance company. It may look like a bill, but it isn’t — it’s a breakdown of the following:

•   Medical services you were provided

•   What the doctor or hospital charged

•   What your insurance covered (and didn’t cover)

•   How much your insurance agreed to pay

•   The amount you’re expected to pay

The EOB can help you be sure you’re receiving the full benefits to which you are entitled under your insurance plan. And it can be useful to compare the information your insurance company has to the actual bill(s) you receive. Your EOB may even offer a better description of the services you received than what’s on your medical bills.

If your EOB seems incomplete, it may be because it doesn’t reflect the most recent charges or payments. If you’re confused or suspect an error, call the number listed on the EOB to get help.

Be sure to save your EOB when it comes in the mail, or download it when you receive an email that it’s ready. You may need it when you speak to your insurance company or doctor.

Recommended: Types of Personal Loans

Be Clear About Who’s Billing You

One visit to the emergency room can result in multiple medical tabs. You might be billed by the ambulance, the hospital, and the specialist who saw you.

Adding to the complexity, the invoice you receive may come from a doctor or hospital’s internal billing department, or it might come from a company that’s been hired to handle all invoicing and payments for a hospital, doctor, or group practice.

To avoid mix-ups, carefully track who sent each bill as it arrives, note if the billing was outsourced or done in-house, and mark down who you talked to about errors or making payments. Don’t forget to keep a copy of your EOB with those statements (either paper or digital) so you’re always prepared with the right information.

Don’t Delay Getting Help

As soon as you realize there’s a problem with a bill — either because it’s incorrect or it’s just too high for you to manage — get in touch with the provider who sent it.

As long as your debt remains with the original service provider, medical bills won’t show up on your credit report. But if the bill goes to collections, it can affect your credit score. You may also have fewer options for negotiating once the debt goes to collections.

Ways To Negotiate a Medical Bill

Can you really negotiate medical bills? Absolutely, and there are a few different strategies you can adopt when talking down healthcare costs. If one tactic fails, don’t give up — simply move on to another. The most effective method for negotiating a hospital bill may depend on your situation and the doctor. Here are a few to consider:

Dispute Any Errors

Errors on medical bills are surprisingly common. Look for things like duplicate charges, charges for procedures that didn’t happen, errors in your insurance information, mistakes regarding whether a provider was in-network or out-of-network, and misstated quantities of medications and supplies.

Billing codes for diagnoses and treatments can also be entered wrong, which can confuse the insurance company and slow down or stop payment on a bill. If you suspect your bill was miscoded (and you’re feeling motivated), you can look them up online. There are two different databases:

•   Diagnosis codes, called ICD codes (for International Classification of Diseases) can be found on the Centers for Disease Control website.

•   Treatment and service codes, called CPT codes (for Current Procedural Terminology), are available on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid website. Just accept the usage waiver, and a spreadsheet of codes will download automatically.

A billing representative can answer almost any questions you have regarding your bill, so don’t hesitate to ask what certain line items are. If you catch any errors that inflate your bill, you may want to file a dispute to get the charges reduced or eliminated.

Offer To Pay a Lump Sum

Many hospitals prefer to get a slightly lower payment at the time of billing than wait for a bill to drag through collections. You can offer to pay the bill immediately — ideally in cash rather than by credit card — if the provider will accept less than the total amount due.

A good rule of thumb is to start high when suggesting a discount, leaving room for the provider to negotiate downward. It’s perfectly reasonable to start by requesting a 50% discount. Even if you don’t pay the entire bill at once, ask whether the provider offers a self-pay discount for those paying out-of-pocket.

Show Evidence of Overcharges

This is where doing your homework comes in handy. If you can show evidence that you were charged more than the average price points in your area, you may have leverage for requesting a discount on your bill. Besides checking online resources and calling competitors, you can also cite the amount Medicare allows for the service. Frame your request as a desire to pay what is “usual, customary, and reasonable”

Negotiate a Payment Plan

Some facilities will agree to a payment plan that replaces the original bill’s due date with a schedule that’s feasible for you. See if you can sign on to a plan with zero interest. If that’s not an option, you can try asking for a lower interest rate. And just because you negotiate a payment plan doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try asking for a discount on the total as well.

Research Hospital and Government Resources

When you’re sick or recovering, online research and phone calls can exhaust your limited energy reserves. But you don’t have to go it alone. There are several resources you may be able to tap for assistance.

Hospital Help

Hospitals often offer discounts or financial relief programs, such as forgiveness, for patients whose income falls below a certain threshold and for uninsured patients. The hospital may refer to this help as “charity care,” “bridge assistance,” or simply “financial assistance.”

Even if you don’t meet income guidelines for government programs, it’s worth checking on what’s available at the hospital level.

Government Financial Assistance

If you weren’t on Medicaid but would have qualified for it when the original medical charges were generated, you may be able to get retroactive help. Depending on the state you live in, Medicaid (a federally authorized, state-administered insurance program for low-income individuals) may cover bills received up to three months before the month you apply for the program. You can check your eligibility on Medicaid.gov

Ask for an Advocate

When you need additional help negotiating with your insurance company or medical provider, consider a patient advocacy organization, such as the Patient Advocate Foundation at PatientAdvocate.org, or state or local consumer protection agency at USA.gov/State-Consumer

Come Prepared To Negotiate

If you’re new to negotiating, here are some basics that can help:

Try to Stay Calm and Polite

Do your best to keep your emotions under control while communicating with billing department representatives. Expressing your requests in a clear and collected way will make it easier for them to understand your situation and can improve the chances that the representatives you deal with will want to help. If you’re angry or despairing, cool off before picking up the phone.

Do Your Homework

You may have a better chance of succeeding if you’ve researched the average costs of the treatments you received — especially if you use data that’s specific to your area. You can find this information with a little online searching or by consulting resources like HealthcareBluebook.com

Don’t Underestimate the Power of Empathy

Explain economic or other hardships you’re facing and why you’re struggling with repayment. Perhaps you’ve recently lost your job, or you just got out of college and you’re on your own for the first time. Calling on the other person’s sense of compassion and humanity may help your cause.

Write Down Everything

Keep clear notes with the dates, names, and affiliations for every phone call you have, as well as reference numbers if applicable. It’s easy to forget what you spoke about and with whom. Keep everything in one place. And ask to receive the final details of any agreement you make in writing.

Don’t Hesitate to Escalate

Start with the contact phone number on your bill. But if the person you’re speaking with seems unwilling or unable to help, don’t be afraid to ask for a supervisor. Be prepared to explain the situation, over and over again, to each person you speak with.

If all else fails, apply a bit of pressure. While remaining courteous, state that you probably won’t use this provider or facility again if they can’t meet you halfway. Mention that you’ll share your negative experience with your network, including on social media.

What Happens If You Don’t Pay Medical Bills?

The worst thing you can do with overwhelming medical bills is ignoring them. If you don’t make a payment by the due date on your bill, what happens next depends on the laws in your state.

After a few months, if you still haven’t paid, the hospital may pass your bill on to a debt collections agency, and that agency may report the past due balance to the credit bureaus that put together your credit reports. From there, individuals with medical debt have about six months to fix insurance or billing problems.

Once that grace period is over, however, an unpaid bill can impact your credit score for years. And if a court issues a judgment in the hospital’s favor, your wages could be garnished. This means money could be taken directly from your paycheck and sent to the creditor, even without your consent.

Borrowing Money To Pay Medical Bills

Even if you use all the strategies described above, negotiation doesn’t always work. If you can’t get your bill reduced or eliminated by negotiating, there are other options, such as taking on debt by using a credit card or taking out an unsecured personal loan.

Recommended: Secured vs. Unsecured Personal Loans

Credit Card

Using a credit card to pay medical bills is not generally recommended because of their typically high-interest rates. However, if you have exhausted all negotiating tactics and are still having trouble paying your outstanding balance after the six months grace period given by credit reporting agencies, it might be better to pay the balance with a credit card than to have your account sent to collections and see your credit score drop.

Recommended: Average Credit Card Interest Rates

Personal Loan

Another option you might consider is taking out an unsecured personal loan to pay your medical bills. Personal loans interest rates can be significantly lower than those of credit cards, particularly if you have a healthy credit score. And since a fixed-rate personal loan is installment debt — in contrast to the revolving debt of credit cards — the balance is paid on a fixed payment schedule.

If you qualify for a personal loan with a manageable interest rate and monthly payment, you can use it to pay off your medical bills immediately and avoid accruing late fees or having the bill move into collections. SoFi’s personal loan calculator can help you run the numbers.

Recommended: How To Get Approved for a Personal Loan

The Takeaway

Medical bills can be stressful, especially when added to the stress of having medical treatment. But it’s best not to ignore them. Armed with the right tactics, you may be able to negotiate the amount due or get assistance to make the expense manageable.

If that doesn’t work, a SoFi personal loan can prevent medical bills from dragging you into a vicious cycle of debt. An unsecured personal loan from SoFi offers competitive, fixed rates; no fees required; and loan terms that can work with a variety of budgets.

Pay for medical costs — without sinking into high-interest debt.

FAQ

Do medical bills affect your credit?

As long as your medical bill remains with the original doctor or facility, it won’t show up on your credit report. But if the bill goes to collections, it can affect your credit score.

Should I pay a medical bill that’s gone to collections?

Yes, paying off medical collections will remove the negative information from your credit report and help you build up your credit again. Under new guidelines, paid medical collections will no longer remain on your report.

How long do I have to pay a medical bill?

Medical bills are typically due 30 days from the date of the bill. Doctors and facilities usually send several rounds of bills before turning the debt over to a collections agency. If you’re struggling to pay your medical bills, call the doctor or facility to negotiate either a lower price or a payment plan that you can afford.

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SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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What’s your number? That’s not a pickup line; it’s the digits a mortgage lender will want to know. In the range of 300 to 850, a score as low as 500 may open the door to a home.

But the credit score needed to buy a house is at least 620 for most types of mortgage loans. The lowest rates usually go to borrowers with scores of 740 and above whose finances are in good order.

Why Does a Credit Score Matter?

Just as you need a résumé listing your work history to interview for a job, lenders want to see your borrowing history, through credit reports, and a snapshot of it, expressed as a score on the credit rating scale, to help predict your ability to repay a debt.

A great credit score vs. a bad credit score can translate to money in your pocket: Even a small reduction in interest rate can save a borrower thousands of dollars over time.

Do I Have One Credit Score?

You have many different credit scores based on information collected by Experian, Transunion, and Equifax, the three main credit bureaus, and calculated using scoring models usually designed by FICO® or a competitor, VantageScore®.

To complicate things, there are often multiple versions of each scoring model available from its developer at any given time, but most credit scores fall within the 300 to 850 range.

Mortgage lenders predominantly consider FICO scores. Here are the categories:

•   Exceptional: 800-850

•   Very good: 740-799

•   Good: 670-739

•   Fair: 580-669

•   Poor: 300-579

Here’s how FICO weighs the information:

•   Payment history: 35%

•   Amounts owed: 30%

•   Length of credit history: 15%

•   New credit: 10%

•   Credit mix: 10%

Mortgage lenders will pull an applicant’s credit score from all three credit bureaus. If the scores differ, they will use the middle number when making a decision.

If you’re buying a home with a non-spouse or a marriage partner, each borrower’s credit scores will be pulled. The lender will home in on the middle score for both and use the lower of the final two scores (except for a Fannie Mae loan, when a lender will average the middle credit scores of the applicants).

💡 Recommended: 8 Reasons Why Good Credit Is So Important

A Look at the Numbers

What credit score do you need to buy a house? If you are trying to acquire a conventional mortgage loan, a loan not insured by a government agency, you’ll likely need a credit score of at least 620.

With an FHA loan, 580 is the minimum credit score to qualify for the 3.5% down payment advantage. Applicants with a score as low as 500 will have to put down 10%.

Lenders like to see a minimum credit score of 620 for a VA loan.

A score of at least 640 is usually required for a USDA loan.

A first-time homebuyer with good credit will likely qualify for an FHA loan, but a conventional mortgage will probably save them money over time. One reason is that an FHA loan requires upfront and ongoing mortgage insurance that lasts for the life of the loan if the down payment is less than 10%.

💡Recommended: How to Check Credit Scores Without Paying

Credit Scores Are Just Part of the Pie

Credit scores aren’t the only factor that lenders consider when reviewing a mortgage application. They will also require information on your employment, income, and bank accounts.

A lender facing someone with a lower credit score may increase expectations in other areas like down payment size or income requirements.

Other typical conventional loan requirements a lender will consider include:

Your down payment. Putting 20% down is desirable since it often means you can avoid paying PMI, private mortgage insurance that covers the lender in case of loan default.

Debt-to-income ratio. Your debt-to-income ratio is a percentage that compares your ongoing monthly debts to your monthly gross income.

Most lenders require a DTI of 43% or lower to qualify for a conforming loan.

How to Increase Your Credit Scores Before Buying a House

Working to improve or build credit over time before applying for a home loan could save a borrower a lot of money in interest. A lower rate will keep monthly payments lower or even provide the ability to pay back the loan faster.

Working on your credit scores may take weeks or longer, but it can be done. Here are some ideas to try:

1. Pay all of your bills on time. If you haven’t been doing so, it could take up to six months of on-time payments to see a significant improvement.

2. Check for errors on credit reports. Be sure that your credit history doesn’t report a missed payment in error or show a debt that’s not yours. You can get free credit reports from the three main reporting agencies.

To dispute a credit report, start by contacting the credit bureau whose report shows the error. The bureau has 30 days to investigate and respond.

3. Pay down debt. Installment loans (student loans and auto loans, for instance) affect your DTI ratio, and revolving debt (think: credit cards and lines of credit) plays a starring role in your credit utilization ratio. Credit utilization falls under FICO’s heavily weighted “amounts owed” category. A general rule of thumb is to keep your credit utilization below 30%.

4. Ask to increase the credit limit on one or all of your credit cards. This may improve your credit utilization ratio by showing that you have lots of available credit that you don’t use.

5. Don’t close credit cards once you’ve paid them off. You might want to keep them open by charging a few items to the cards every month (and paying the balance). If you have two credit cards, each has a credit limit of $5,000, and you have a $2,000 balance on each, you currently have a 40% credit utilization ratio. If you were to pay one of the two cards off and keep it open, your credit utilization would drop to 20%.

6. Add to your credit mix. An additional account may help your credit, especially if it is a kind of credit you don’t currently have. If you have only credit cards, you might consider applying for a personal loan.

💡Recommended: 31 Ways to Save for a House

The Takeaway

What credit score is needed to buy a house? The number depends on the lender and type of loan. An awesome credit score is not always necessary to buy a house, but it helps in securing a lower rate.

Ready to shop for a home? SoFi offers fixed-rate mortgage loans with competitive rates and perks.

Find your rate on a SoFi Mortgage in minutes.

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SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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From unemployment benefits to hardship programs, there are a number of options out there when it comes to managing money during difficult times. One option that people may consider during unemployment is a personal loan. But one important question is: Can you get a loan while unemployed?

While there are personal loans for the unemployed available, it’s important to carefully assess the downsides and the benefits before moving forward. You’ll need to ensure you’ll be able to pay back the loan even if money gets tighter, and you should also be prepared for a more challenging approval process.

Personal Loan Basics

At its most simple, a personal loan is when a lending institution pays out a lump sum of money to a borrower, who then pays back the amount owed plus interest over a predetermined period of time.

Unlike a mortgage or student loan, a personal loan isn’t tied to a specific expense. In other words, someone might take out a personal loan to cover the cost of paying for a dream wedding, to remodel a kitchen to get rid of that hideous linoleum, or to cover living expenses during a time with low cash flow — there are a number of common uses for personal loans.

Personal loan amounts can typically vary from $1,000 to $100,000, depending on the lender’s guidelines, the amount a borrower requests, and the borrower’s creditworthiness. While the lender pays out the amount of the loan in one lump sum to the borrower (minus any origination fee), the borrower pays back the loan over time in installments, often over a period of 12 to 60 months.

Personal loans are generally unsecured loans, which means they do not use collateral to secure the loan. Instead, lenders may look at borrowers’ creditworthiness to determine the risk in lending to them and their interest rate.

The interest rate for personal loans can vary for different borrowers depending on a borrower’s creditworthiness. Rates can range anywhere from around 5% to over 35%. Interest is paid back alongside the principal amount in monthly payments that are made over the life of the loan.

When Should You Consider Taking Out a Personal Loan While Unemployed?

Ideally, you’d avoid taking on debt while you’re unemployed and don’t have regular income coming in from a job. You might first explore any other options available to you to free up funds, whether that’s taking on a side hustle, getting a roommate, or reassessing your budget. However, there are some circumstances when taking out a personal loan while unemployed may be doable, and it can be a better option than resorting to a high-interest payday loan or expensive credit card debt.

If you’re considering a personal loan while unemployed, you should first assess whether you’ll realistically be able to make on-time payments on your loan each month. Not doing so can lead to late fees and impacts to your credit score. Think seriously about what you’d do in the worst-case scenario if you really couldn’t make a payment. You may even consider crunching the numbers using a personal loan calculator to determine if a personal loan would net you any savings over another borrowing option.

It’s also important to understand what lenders will look for when determining whether to approve you for a loan while unemployed. You’ll generally need a strong credit history and credit score to qualify. Additionally, lenders will want to see some income in order to prove you’ll be able to make monthly payments. Without a regular paycheck coming in during unemployment, this could be Social Security benefit payments, disability income, money from investments, or even your spouse’s income, among other alternatives.

Are There Downsides to Taking Out a Personal Loan While Unemployed?

Taking out a personal loan may seem appealing to someone who is temporarily out of work because it might be relatively quick to secure and can come with lower interest rates than credit cards. But as with all financial decisions, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of taking out a personal loan while unemployed before applying.

Here are the downsides of taking out a personal loan while unemployed:

•   It will likely be harder to qualify for a loan while unemployed. While you can get a personal loan without a job, it may be more difficult to qualify. Lenders look at a variety of factors when determining whether to offer a borrower a loan, like income, debt-to-income ratio, credit history, and credit score. This data helps them determine how likely it is the borrower will pay back the loan. If a borrower is unemployed, they won’t necessarily have income to show, and their debt-to-income ratio might be much lower than it would be with a stable income. Of course, different lenders have different criteria for lending, and the ultimate decision is determined by that specific lender.

•   Lenders may charge higher interest rates. Some lenders may offer higher interest rates to unemployed personal loan borrowers. This is because of the additional perceived risks of lending to someone who is unemployed.

•   Borrowers are taking a risk. The risk isn’t just for lenders when getting a loan while unemployed. When deciding whether to apply for a personal loan during unemployment, it’s important to consider your ability to pay a higher interest rate or make monthly payments. If a borrower is struggling to make ends meet, a loan payment could be impossible to pay on top of other expenses. And defaulting on a personal loan can be even more expensive: Borrowers could face late fees for missed payments and fees if the loan is sent to collections, not to mention a hit to their credit score if they’re unable to make payments.

Are There Benefits to Taking Out a Personal Loan While Unemployed?

There may be upsides for someone who is unemployed to take out a personal loan. Benefits of personal loans for unemployed individuals can include:

•   Personal loans can be more flexible than other types of loans. Borrowers can use the money from a personal loan for almost anything. This might make it an appealing choice for borrowers who may not have their normal income coming in due to unemployment.

•   It may be less costly than other borrowing options. A personal loan may come with lower rates than a credit card, which can be a major benefit when it comes to saving money. Additionally, the fixed term of a personal loan could help borrowers save over the life of a loan. This is because unlike with a credit card, you’d pay a set amount monthly over a set term, which means payments don’t roll over and continue to accrue interest.

•   You could consolidate existing debt. Another potential benefit of taking out a personal loan during unemployment could be consolidating other debts. In fact, a common reason borrowers may choose a personal loan is to consolidate credit card debt. Sometimes called debt consolidation loans, this type of personal loan can help borrowers save money if they can secure a lower interest rate than they’re currently paying on their credit cards. Additionally, debt consolidation loans can streamline multiple payments into one monthly payment. Keep in mind, however, that continuing to use credit cards after obtaining a credit card consolidation loan can lead to debt continuing to pile up.

•   They can help you deal with unexpected expenses. Personal loans may be an option for borrowers who are facing unexpected expenses, like medical bills or moving costs. If your current financial situation or a change in jobs has necessitated a move, a personal loan may be a way to pay for those unexpected costs without relying on credit cards.

To recap, here’s a rundown of the downsides and benefits of personal loans for unemployed individuals. While you potentially can get a loan while unemployed, you’ll want to make sure you’re aware of and comfortable with both the pros and the cons:

Downsides and Benefits of Personal Loans While Unemployed
Downsides	Benefits
Qualifying can be more difficult.	Personal loans offer flexibility in how you use the funds.
Interest rates may be higher due to unemployment status.	It could be less costly compared to other choices.
Borrowers are taking on a risk amid existing financial uncertainty.	You could use a loan to consolidate debt, and potentially save money.
	It could help you cover unexpected costs, like medical bills or moving.

Does SoFi Offer Personal Loans for Unemployed People?

SoFi does offer personal loans for unemployed individuals, assuming applicants meet other conditions. If you are not currently employed, it’s necessary to meet one of the two following eligibility criteria:

•   Have sufficient income from other sources

•   Have an offer of employment to start within the next 90 days

Beyond these conditions regarding employment and income, SoFi also has a number of other requirements that borrowers must meet. Additionally, SoFi will consider an applicant’s financial history, credit score, and monthly income vs. expenses.

Improving Your Chances of Getting Approved for a Personal Loan While Unemployed

If you’re hoping to get a personal loan while unemployed, there are steps you can take to increase your odds of getting your personal loan approved.

For one, it helps to familiarize yourself with your own financial situation. Check your credit to see if it falls within a lender’s requirements, assess your current sources of income now that you’re unemployed, and take a look at how your current monthly debt payments compare to your monthly income. These are all factors that lenders will take into account when determining whether to approve the loan application, so the better they look, the better your chances that the lender’s answer will be a yes.

If you’re not confident you can get approved for a personal loan with your financial situation as is, you might consider taking some of the following actions:

•   Increase your income: While this might seem like a no-brainer if you’ve recently lost your job, there are other ways to approach adding to your sources of income while you’re on the job search. You could pick up a side hustle or get a roommate. Also take the time to review what counts as income for credit card applications — you might find you’ve forgotten to include something. (Remember, unemployment benefits count as income.)

•   Minimize your debts: If your debt-to-income ratio is way out of whack, that could lower your odds of approval. Consider ways you could cut costs, whether that’s downsizing your home, moving in with a friend or family member in the meantime, or selling off a car that’s saddling you with monthly payments.

•   Consider adding a cosigner: In this situation, another option could be to ask a friend or family member with good credit and a steady income to serve as a cosigner. Adding them to your application may make it likelier that a lender will view you favorably. Just remember that if you fail to make timely payments on your loan, you could damage your cosigner’s credit and stick them with the payments — not to mention the harm it could do to your relationship.

Choosing a Personal Loan

Borrowers interested in a personal loan might want to consider all the pros and cons before taking one on during unemployment. If a personal loan sounds like it might be the right solution, borrowers may want to do a little bit of preparation beforehand. It’s never a bad idea for a borrower to figure out exactly much they want to borrow in advance. But remember — borrowers should only borrow the amount they need.

Taking a look at the affordability of monthly payments may also help a borrower determine how much to borrow. Additionally, borrowers may wish to pull up their financial documents and take a peek at their current credit score and overall financial health before applying for a personal loan.

If a borrower is ready to apply, it’s important to look for one that meets their specific needs. For one, they’ll need to find a lender willing to work with unemployed borrowers, if that’s their current situation.

With SoFi, the next step in applying is to get prequalified. Prequalification with SoFi doesn’t affect your credit score and lets you see what interest rate you may qualify for. While SoFi offers easy online prequalification, it’s important to look around and determine which, if any, personal loan is the best for you.

With SoFi, you may qualify for a personal loan for between $5,000 and $100,000 with no origination fees required. Plus, if you take out an unsecured personal loan and then lose your job, you may be eligible for forbearance on your payments and assistance finding a new job in the meantime.

The bottom line: While applying for a personal loan with SoFi is possible, you should properly assess the associated risks first — especially if you’re getting a loan while unemployed.

FAQ

Can you use a personal loan as an unemployment loan?

Yes, it is possible to use a personal loan as an unemployment loan. However, in order to qualify for a personal loan while unemployed, you’ll still need to meet a lender’s eligibility requirements. This generally includes demonstrating some type of regular income.

What are the benefits of using an unemployment loan?

While risky, personal loans for unemployment do offer a number of benefits, including flexibility in how you use the funds, potentially lower costs than other borrowing options, and the choice to consolidate existing debt. A personal loan could also come in handy if unexpected expenses arrive, such as a surprise medical bill or an unanticipated move.

Are there any fees associated with unemployment loans?

Personal loans taken out during unemployment can absolutely carry fees. Whether and which fees apply will depend on the lender. Common fees you could face include origination fees, late fees, and prepayment penalties.

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Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.

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SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

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Imagine you have four credit cards, each with a $5,000 limit, for a total of $20,000. You have a balance of $2,000 on Credit Card A from vacation travel, $1,000 on Credit Card B from buying new car tires, $2,000 on Credit Card C from last holiday season, and $1,000 on Credit Card D from regular monthly bills. Altogether, you owe $6,000. If we calculate that as a percentage, we have your credit card utilization rate: 30%.

In this guide, we’ll focus on credit utilization, determine how much of your credit you should use, and show how credit card utilization affects your credit score and overall financial standing.

What Is a Credit Utilization Ratio?

Your credit utilization ratio is a fancy way of referring to how much of your credit you’re using. Lenders and credit reporting agencies use it as an indicator of how well someone is managing their finances.

A low credit utilization ratio says you live within your means, use credit cards responsibly, and therefore probably manage the rest of your finances well. A high credit utilization hints that your expenses are outpacing your income, a sign that you’re misusing credit cards, and possibly mismanaging the rest of your finances.

The reality of the situation may be different. Perhaps you have temporary cash flow problems due to a job loss. Or you happen to have a pileup of pricey expenses within a short time, such as medical bills, car repairs, and a destination wedding. It happens. That’s why credit utilization is just one factor that goes into calculating your credit score.

Recommended: Types of Personal Loans

How Do You Calculate Your Credit Card Utilization Rate?

In the example above, we saw that if you have $20,000 of credit available to you, and you owe $6,000, your credit utilization rate is 30%. How did we get there? To find out your credit card utilization rate, simply divide your total credit card balances by your total credit line, like this:

Total Balance / Total Credit Line = Utilization Rate

With the numbers from our example, it looks like this:

6,000 / 20,000 = .3 or 30%

Simple, right? You’ve got this.

Recommended: Getting Your Personal Loan Approved

What Counts as “Good” Credit Card Utilization?

As it turns out, just because you’ve been approved for a $10,000 credit card doesn’t mean it makes financial sense to charge $10,000 worth of rosé and seltzer — even if you know you can pay it off over a couple of months. In fact, you might be shocked to learn how little of your available credit you’re supposed to use.

The general rule is that you should not exceed a 30% credit card utilization rate. That means that in our example, you would not want to use more than $6,000 of your available $20,000 credit. Even though 30% might seem like a small percentage, keeping below that threshold can ensure that your credit score isn’t being dinged for over-utilization.

How Can You Lower Your Credit Card Utilization Ratio?

You can lower your credit utilization ratio by paying down your credit card balances. Ideally, you should pay off your credit card balances in full every billing cycle to avoid paying interest. When that’s not possible, pay off as much of the bill as you can.

Whatever you do, don’t make a habit of paying only the credit card minimum payment suggested on your bill.

When trying to pay down your credit cards, focus on the one with the highest interest rate. That way, you’ll save the most money on interest. Or you can pay off your cards with a personal loan. In fact, debt consolidation is one of those most common uses for personal loans.

Another way to lower your utilization rate is to increase your available credit. Ask your bank to raise your credit card limit. If they agree, your utilization will quickly drop. Also, keep open any cards you don’t use rather than closing the accounts. They’re serving a valuable purpose by contributing to your credit limit, even if you’ve cut up the actual cards.

As you can tell, credit utilization is a nuanced topic. Learn all the ins and outs in our Guide to Lowering Your Credit Card Utilization.

How Does Credit Card Utilization Affect Your Credit Score?

Credit card utilization plays a big role in how companies compute your credit score. In fact, about 30% of your credit score is determined by your credit card utilization rate. That means a high credit card utilization rate can adversely affect your credit score. For a deep dive into the topic, check out How Does Credit Utilization Affect Your Credit Score?

How Do You Monitor Your Credit Card Utilization?

Your credit utilization might seem difficult to keep track of. But we live in the 21st century, so it’s actually quite easy to set up account reminders to alert you when you are approaching that 30% credit card utilization mark.

In addition to watching your utilization rate, make your best effort to pay your credit card bills on-time each month. Checking your credit score regularly will also help you keep your financial health in check. Although you don’t want to check your score too often, it’s good to keep tabs to make sure the data being reported is accurate.

The Takeaway

Your credit card utilization ratio is the sum of all your credit card balances divided by the sum of your credit limits. Credit reporting agencies recommend keeping your ratio at 30% or below. Higher ratios can hurt your credit, since credit utilization accounts for 30% of your credit score. To lower your utilization rate, simply pay down your credit card balances. And think twice before closing a credit card you no longer use. You might also consider consolidating your credit card debt with a personal loan; a personal loan calculator can show you how much you could save on interest.

Have high credit card utilization across multiple cards? Consolidating credit card debt with a low interest personal loan will reduce your utilization rate, which can positively affect your credit score. With SoFi Personal Loans, you can borrow $5K to $100K, with low fixed rates and no fees required.

Compared with high-interest credit cards, a SoFi personal loan is simply better debt.

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SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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There are many reasons people end up in debt. Medical bills, emergency home or car repairs, a job layoff. And some of us just didn’t know that it’s best to pay off credit cards in full every month. Either way, no judgment here. If you have high-interest credit card debt and are ready to put together a plan to pay it back, you might be considering one of two popular methods: Credit card refinancing vs. debt consolidation.

Both involve paying off your debt with another credit card or loan, ideally at a lower interest rate. Still, the two methods are not the same, and both options require careful consideration. Below, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of each debt payback method, so you can make an informed decision.

What Is Credit Card Refinancing?

Credit card refinancing is the process of moving your credit card balance(s) from one card or lender to another with a lower interest rate. The main purpose of refinancing is to reduce the amount of interest you’re paying with a lower rate while you pay off the balance.

Borrowers may accomplish this by paying off their existing credit cards with a brand-new balance transfer card. This type of credit card offers a low or 0% interest rate for a promotional period of up to 21 months.

For example, say a borrower has $10,000 on a credit card that charges 20% interest. By switching to a 0% interest card (and making payments on time), they can save around $2,000 in the first year alone, provided there are no fees or penalties. Alternatively, if the borrower switches to a card that charges 10% interest in the first year, they can save around $1,000.

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What Are the Pros and Cons of Credit Card Refinancing?

We’ve discussed the goal of credit card refinancing — to lower your interest rate — and how to accomplish it. Now let’s explore some of the pros and cons of refinancing.

Pros of Refinancing

The primary benefit is the chance to pay off credit card debt while paying little to no interest for the first 12 or more months. For a relatively small credit card balance — one that can comfortably be paid off within a year — this can be an effective strategy.

Cons of Refinancing

Balance transfer cards come with major catches: The low or 0% interest period is short-term (6-21 months), and there may be a balance transfer fee of 3%-5%. For a borrower with $10,000 in credit card debt, a 5% balance transfer fee comes out to $500.

For some borrowers, the amount they’re saving in interest might not be worth the transfer fee. This is especially true if the borrower ends up unable to pay off their balance within the introductory period. After the promotion ends, the interest rate can skyrocket to as high as 25%.

This brings up yet another consideration: Balance transfer cards don’t put any structure into place for the borrower to follow in order to fully pay off the credit card debt. A borrower can just as easily continue making only the minimum payments and even add to the balance of the debt. This is the risk we run with what is called revolving credit.

Finally, 0% interest balance transfer cards often require a high credit score to qualify. However, borrowers hoping to qualify in the future can build their credit by making all payments on time and reviewing their credit report for errors.

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What Is Credit Card Debt Consolidation?

Credit card consolidation refers to the process of paying off multiple credit cards with a single loan, referred to as a debt consolidation loan or personal loan. Unlike refinancing, the main purpose of consolidation is to simplify bills by combining multiple credit card payments into one fixed loan payment.

A borrower may also pay less in interest, but the difference may not be as great as with refinancing. An applicant’s credit score and other financial data points will determine their personal loan interest rate.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Credit Card Debt Consolidation?

As we mentioned, credit card debt consolidation serves to pay off multiple credit cards with a single short-term loan. But as with credit card refinancing, there are advantages and disadvantages.

Pros of Debt Consolidation

Consolidation allows borrowers to pay off multiple debts and replace them with one monthly payment and a set repayment term of their choosing. Borrowers benefit from the structured nature of a personal loan: They make equal payments toward the debt at a fixed rate until it is completely eliminated.

With most personal loans, the borrower is able to opt for a fixed interest rate, which ensures payments won’t change over time. (Variable interest rate loans are available, but their lower initial rate can go up as market rates rise.) You might have a $10,000 loan, for instance, with a repayment term of five years at 8% interest — a rate that will not change for the duration of the loan.

Secured personal loans that require collateral sometimes offer lower interest rates. However, the savings is usually not worth the risk of losing your car or home. For that reason, unsecured personal loans are preferable.

Cons of Debt Consolidation

The terms of a personal loan will almost always be based on the borrower’s credit history and their holistic financial picture. That means that not every borrower will qualify for a low interest rate, or get approved for a personal loan at all.

Another hazard is the potential for a borrower to run up their credit card debt again, once their cards are paid off. Canceling all but one card can help prevent that. However, borrowers should research how canceling their credit cards might affect their credit scores.

Credit Card Refinancing vs Debt Consolidation

To recap, the difference between debt consolidation and credit card refinance is first a matter of goals. With credit card refinancing — as with other forms of debt refinancing — the borrower’s aim is to save money by lowering their interest rate. Debt consolidation may or may not save the borrower money on interest, but will certainly simplify bills by replacing multiple credit card obligations with a single monthly payment and a structured payback schedule.

The other difference is that credit card refinancing typically utilizes a balance transfer credit card that has a 0% or low-interest rate for a short time. This limits the amount a borrower can transfer to what they can comfortably pay off in a year or so. Debt consolidation utilizes a personal loan, which allows for higher balances to be paid off over a longer payback period.

Credit Card Refinancing vs Balance Transfer Cards

These two terms are not mutually exclusive. Instead, a balance transfer credit card is one way to refinance credit card debt.

The Takeaway

Credit card refinancing is when a borrower pays off their credit card(s) by moving the balance to another card with a lower interest rate. A popular way to do this is with 0% interest balance transfer credit cards. However, borrowers typically need a high credit score to qualify for these cards. Debt consolidation, on the other hand, is when a borrower simplifies multiple debts by paying them off with a personal loan. Personal loans with a fixed low interest rate and a structured payback schedule are a smart option for consolidating debts.

If you have a relatively small balance that can be paid off in a year or so, refinancing with a balance transfer credit card may be right for you. If you have a larger balance or need more time to fully pay it off, personal loans are available for terms of up to 7 years.

Tired of juggling logins and payment schedules with a bunch of other lenders? SoFi Personal Loans can help you save money, take control of your finances, and simplify your life by consolidating everything at a single, low rate. It only takes minutes to apply.

Don’t let high interest interfere with your interests.

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SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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