- Honest draftsBuilt only from the facts you type
- Nothing storedDrafts are not saved or used for training
- Edit before sendingYou review every line
- No sign-upFree daily drafts, no account
What to include
- Total arrears and which months
- The cause and dates
- When your income returned or will return
- A realistic repayment schedule
- A request for written confirmation
Example of facts to type
The tool works best with plain facts like these (made-up example):
I owe $1,800 in back rent for August and September 2026 because of hospital stays. I have been back at work since October 1. I propose paying the arrears at $300 a month on top of regular rent.
Letter outline you can copy
Prefer to write it yourself? Use this structure. Replace everything in [brackets].
[Your name, address, phone, email] [Date] [Recipient name / department and address] Re: [Account, loan or case number] - Hardship request Dear [Name or department], Paragraph 1: Who you are, the account, and that you are writing to request help. Paragraph 2: What happened, when, and how it changed your income or expenses (brief, factual). Paragraph 3: Where things stand now: current income, what you can pay, and when the situation should improve. Paragraph 4: Your specific request (for example, a payment plan, forbearance, fee waiver) and the documents enclosed. Thank you for considering my request. I can be reached at [phone/email]. Sincerely, [Name]
How to write a hardship letter that gets read
A hardship letter explains a real change in your circumstances and asks for a specific kind of help. The people reading it often handle many requests a day, so the most useful letters are short, factual and easy to check against your documents.
- Be specific. Dates, amounts and the exact request help a reviewer act.
- Stay truthful. Never overstate a hardship; inconsistencies with your documents can hurt your request.
- Show the path forward. Explain what you can pay now and when things should improve.
- Keep copies of everything you send, and note the date and method.
Before you send it
- Replace every [bracketed] placeholder or delete the line.
- Check that each date, amount and name is exactly right.
- Remove anything that is not true or that you cannot support.
- Keep a copy and note when and how you sent it.
Related hardship letters
- Hardship letter for mortgage (loan modification or forbearance)
- Hardship letter for loan modification
- Hardship letter for rent (to landlord)
- Hardship letter to prevent eviction
- Hardship letter for rental assistance
- Hardship letter to break apartment lease
- Hardship letter for medical bills
- Hardship letter to credit card company
Frequently asked questions
Should I admit I owe the money?
State the facts accurately. If you dispute any amount, say which part and why, rather than accepting a total you think is wrong.
What if I can only pay a little?
Propose what you can truly afford. Over-promising and missing payments can make things worse.
Is LetterRuler free?
Yes. There is a daily limit on free letters so the service stays free for everyone.
Do you keep my letter?
No. Your text is sent to Cloudflare Workers AI to create the draft and is not stored in our database. See the privacy policy.
