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Scroll down to the bottom of this article for a basic hardship letter sample for immigration. Before you jump straight to the letter, please read the following.

A well-written hardship letter by the qualifying spouse or parent is usually the most important part of winning an immigration case. In most hardship cases, the government is looking to what type of hardship a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident will suffer if a deportation is ordered or if a visa is denied. In any hardship situation, any number of reasons could be at the cause of the hardship. These questions will help you write an excellent letter detailing hardship that would be suffered. Review these questions to help you as you write about your hardship in your letter.

Medical

• What types of health issues, if any, do you suffer from?
• What types of ongoing or specialized treatment do you require?
• What types of treatment are available to you in the destination country?
• What is the quality of treatment available to you in the destination country?
• How long do you expect to be in treatment for your medical condition(s)?

Mental Health

• What emotional or mental health issues have been concerns for you in the past?

Financial

• What types of financial considerations do you have that complicate your life?
• What are you and your spouse’s current ability to care for your family?
• What are your future employment opportunities both here and in the destination country?
• What are pay rates and costs of living like both here and in the destination country?
• Would you suffer any losses due to the sale of your home or business?
• Would you or your spouse suffer the loss of a professional practice?
• What types of declines in your standard of living would you suffer?
• What would travel costs be like for you and your children to travel to visit your spouse in the destination country if you are separated?
• What would travel costs be like for you and your children to travel home to visit family if you are living in the destination country?
• What ability do you have to recover any short-term losses created by the separation or move to the destination country?
• What expenses do you incur for caring for other loved ones, such as elderly relatives, sick parents, etc.?

Education

• What are the special education needs or other training needs of dependent children, and what is the availability for services in the destination country?
• How would educational opportunities be affected?
• Would you or your spouse lose the opportunity to seek higher education?
• How does the quality and scope of education in the destination country compare to here?
• How would a requirement to be educated in a foreign language or culture impact your educational opportunities?
• Would you lose any education advancement, time, or grade level, due to the move?
• What other special issues arise with education? Are there any considerations related to specialized training, education programs, or internships?

Even with the hardship factors shown above, the letter must also show that the applicant actually deserves to have a hardship waiver approved. To answer that question appropriately, please consider these questions also.

• How long has the applicant lived in the United States?
• What are the applicant’s family ties to the United States?
• What types of hardship might the applicant suffer if removed from the United States?
• What types of hardship might the applicant’s family suffer if removed from the United States?
• What property or business ties does the applicant have here?
• What is the applicant’s employment history?
• Has the applicant ever served in the United States Armed Forces?
• What value or service does the applicant provide to the community?
• What other evidence exists of the applicant’s good moral character?
• How has the applicant been rehabilitated from a prior criminal issue?

These lists of questions may seem overwhelming, but you must spend extra time to consider these questions and provide thoughtful answers. A well-written hardship letter by the qualifying spouse or parent is usually the moat important part of winning an immigration case. Be sure to have evidence to support the hardships and the consequences.

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SAMPLE HARDSHIP LETTER FOR IMMIGRATION:
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{Your Name}
{Your Address}
{Address Continued}
{Your Phone Number}

{Recipient’s Name}
ATTN: {appropriate person or department}
{Address}
{Address Continued}

{Date}

To Whom It May Concern:

My name is {Name} and my {husband, wife, parent, child, etc.} is currently being detained at {name of border station or other holding area} and denied entry back into the United States.

I am respectfully requesting that {Name} be allowed to enter the country and return to {his/her} home.

{Name} has family ties in the United States, including {list of family living in the country}. {He/she} has lived in the United States for {length of time}, and has established a life here.{Write some more details about the family members, including ages, as well as what value the detainee has to those people}. {His/her} family desperately needs {him/her} to be allowed to return.

Without {Name’s} income from {place of employment}, our family faces significant financial hardship. We currently{own/rent} our home, and the payments of {amount in dollars} every month are quickly becoming unbearable without {Name’s} help.

{Name’s} health is also an issue in this matter. {He/she} suffers from {health problems}, and without access to adequate medical care, {he/she} faces several medical issues. it is necessary that {he/she} be granted access to the United States so that {he/she} may continue with the appropriate treatments.

I hope you will consider all of these facts, and allow {Name} to return to {his/her} family.

Sincerely,

{Sender Name}

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If you are having trouble keeping up with your credit card payments because of a personal hardship, this letter is an example of how to ask the credit card company for help. We hope you find this example helpful and we wish you the best of luck!

IMPORTANT: DO NOT COPY THIS LETTER EXACTLY. PLEASE USE YOUR OWN WORDS.

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{Your Name}
{Your Address}
{Your Phone Number}

{Date}

RE: request for {consolidation/restructure} of loan for {VISA, Mastercard, etc.}, account {account number}

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to request the {consolidation/restructure} of my credit card repayment, due to financial hardship.

The current balance on my credit card is {amount in dollars}, and I have been paying {amount in dollars} every month for {length of time}. This had been an adequate system, until recently, when I fell on hard times.

Due to {death in the family, divorce, medical problems, etc.}, which began {date}, I have been unable to keep up with the payments. I have attached {list of financial documents attached}, which should illustrate exactly why I am in need of your help. I am accruing more and more in the way of late fees and finance charges, which means my balance just continues to increase, and there is nothing I can do about it.

I am requesting {consolidation or that the company accept a certain amount that is less than the total due}. I am extending the same offer to other creditors, so that I can avoid filing for bankruptcy.

Please contact me as soon as possible so that we can get the ball rolling on this situation.

Sincerely,

{Your Name}

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If you are facing a foreclosure and it is due to a personal hardship in your life, this is a sample hardship letter you can refer to.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT COPY THIS LETTER EXACTLY. PLEASE USE YOUR OWN WORDS.

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{Your Name}
{Your Address}
{Your Phone Number}

{Creditor Name}
{Address}
{Address}

{Date}

RE: stopping foreclosure on {address of home}

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing in the hopes that this letter will help to stop the foreclosure
proceedings on my home at {address}.

I have owned this home since {date}, and have recently begun to fall behind on payments due to financial hardship. This hardship was caused by {details of the hardship; could be medical bills, death, job loss, etc.} and has left me unable to keep up with the mortgage payments of {amount in dollars} per month.

I would like to avoid foreclosure. I {am/am not} committed to staying in my home. My home {is/is not} on the market. {If it is on the market, indicate the current asking price, and if you are requesting approval of a short sale}.

{If you are trying to consolidate or restructure your loan, indicate that here, along with any plan you have in mind for doing so}.

I have attached all my relevant financial documents, including {list of what you’re attaching}. I hope we can work together to avoid the complications and price of foreclosure.

Please contact me at your earlier convenience.

Sincerely,

{Your Name}

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This example is for justifying the need for a loan modification due to your personal hardship.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT COPY THIS LETTER EXACTLY. PLEASE USE YOUR OWN WORDS.

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{Your Name}
{Your Address}
{Address Continued}
{Your Phone Number}

{Mortgage Company Name}
ATTN: {appropriate department} {Address}
{Address Continued}

{Date}

RE: loan modification for {Name}

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing this letter in support for my loan modification plan for the {mortgage, loan, etc.} on the {home, car, etc.} located at {address}. My intention is to stay in my home, and my hope is that the loan modification will allow me to get my loan in order and back on the right path.

I have been unable to pay my mortgage payments on time due to {explanation of the reasons you are experiencing hardship; be specific}.

I have attached the appropriate financial documents, including {list of documents}, which should illustrate to you how serious my situation has become.

I hope that we can work together, and quickly, to modify this loan so that I may begin to make the payments again as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

{Your Name}

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There’s nothing worse than getting behind on your mortgage payments, especially when it is out of your own control. If you are having trouble making your mortgage payments because of a personal hardship, below is a mortgage hardship letter sample you can model.

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{Your Name}
{Your Address}
{Your Phone #}
{Your Loan #}

{Date}

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing this letter to explain the reasons why I have {or will soon become} delinquent on my mortgage payments, and to request that we work together to avoid foreclosure on my home.
My income has become drastically reduced recently, due to {sickness, death in the family, job loss, etc. BE SPECIFIC}. The money I have remaining every month must go to {food, car payment, medication, etc.}. I have done everything in my power to keep up with the payments, but it unfortunately has become impossible {or will become impossible as of a certain date}.

I believe I can resolve my debt by {explanation of how you intend to pay them back OR a request that they provide a “workout” solution for your loan}.

Please understand that I know I signed a contract and that I am responsible for these payments. I am not attempting to shirk my responsibilities, but there is also only so much I can do when I still need to keep food on my table.

It is my intention to stay in my home, so I hope we can work out a solution as quickly as possible.

Thank you,

{Sender Name}

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Thank you for signing up! Keep an eye on your email box for more helpful information.

Your sample hardship letter is listed along with other examples you might find helpful under the red arrows and the header “EXAMPLE HARDSHIP LETTERS:“.

I hope you find these example hardship letters helpful. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

SPECIAL BONUS:

If you’re experiencing a hardship that forces you to break your lease on your apartment, here is an example hardship letter you can use to guide you through writing one of your own.

Below a sample hardship letter to request breaking a lease:

IMPORTANT: DO NOT COPY THIS LETTER EXACTLY. PLEASE USE YOUR OWN WORDS.

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{Rental Property Name}
{Rental Property Main Office Address}
{Rental Property Contact Name}

{Your Name}
{Your Address}
{Rental Unit #}

{Date}

To Whom It May Concern (or Dear {Rental Property Contact Name}):

I am the tenant in {rental unit} at {address}. I have been living there since {date}. I am writing because my financial situation has changed in recent weeks. I need to break my lease early, and I am hoping I can do so without monetary penalty.

My income has become significantly reduced recently, due to {sickness, death in the family, job loss, etc. Be specific}. The money I have remaining every month must go to {food, car payment, medication, etc.} and so I do not have enough left over to pay for rent.

I am happy to help advertise my apartment for another tenant, or to look for someone to sublet the unit until my lease is up. Since subletting is restricted in the tenant handbook, I wanted to check in with you on the proper procedure before taking that approach.

If subletting is not an option, I hope that there is a way that you can reduce or forgive the penalty for breaking the lease early. I am not trying to avoid my responsibilities, but these new circumstances have been both unexpected and financially devastating.

I apologize for any inconvenience this causes you and I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Thank you,

{Sender Name}

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If you are unable to make your tax payment to the IRS, you should consider writing a letter of hardship requesting some form of relief (delayed or reduced payment).

Below are two sample hardship letters for taxes:

IMPORTANT: DO NOT COPY THIS LETTER EXACTLY. PLEASE USE YOUR OWN WORDS.

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[Date]

Internal Revenue Service
Attn: [Agent name or Collection Compliance unit]
[IRS Location Address]

RE: Application For Hardship Relief
[Your Name & SSN or tax id number]
[Type of Tax & Period(s)]

Dear Sir or Madam:

This letter is in response to your demand notice for payment. I am unable to pay the tax I owe as a result of financial hardship.

During tax period(s) referenced above, [reason(s) for not being able to pay]. I am currently in financially unable to pay what I owe.

Enclosed are the following:

Copy latest IRS notice
Form 433-A
Copy of latest W-4 filed with my employer
Copy last 3 months wage pay stubs
Copy last 3 months bank statements
Copy last 3 months utility bills
Copy latest filed return

[Explain your current financial sitation in more detail but briefly]. My earnings barely meet my living expenses. My assets are minimal and I have very little to no disposable income. With this request, I am hoping to avoid a potential fine.

I realize a tax lien may be filed, but I ask for consideration and plead for a hardship consideration to either extend my due date or allow me to pay in smaller increments over time.

Thank you for your consideration. If you have any questions, please don’t hestiate to contact me at [Your Phone Number].

Sincerely,

[Your Signature]

[Your Name, Address and Phone Number]
[Your SSN]

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And here’s another example …
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{Your Name}
{Your Address}
{Address Continued}
{Your Phone Number}

{Internal Revenue Service}
ATTN: {appropriate department}
{Address}
{Address Continued}

{Date}

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to attempt to stop a bank levy that the IRS is ready to impose on my
account(s).

I have experienced a great deal of financial hardship lately, due to {details of the
hardship that have made it impossible for you to pay the taxes due to the
IRS}.

If the IRS continues with this plan to freeze my account(s), I will not be able to
meet the basic standards of living. I have attached my most recent pay stubs
{along with other relevant information} to illustrate the fact that I simply do not
make enough money to be able to afford to have my account(s) frozen.

I am requesting {a payment plan, a settlement negotiation} in lieu of the levy.

Please contact me as soon as possible so that we can work on getting this
resolved.

Sincerely,

{Sender Name}

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A short sale, when the house will sell for less than what is still owed, is an extreme solution to get out from your mortgage debt. To get the lender to consider this option, you will have to demonstrate true hardship with a well-written hardship letter.

Below are two sample hardship letters for a short sale:

IMPORTANT: DO NOT COPY THIS LETTER EXACTLY. PLEASE USE YOUR OWN WORDS.

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[Date]

[Mortgage Company]
Attn.: [Point of Contact]
[Company Address]

RE: Hardship Letter – Short Sale for [Your Property Address]

Dear [Mr./Ms. Point of Contact]:
[Use a personal greeting if you have the name of a specific agent at your lender]

This letter is to provide you the details surrounding my current financial situation and reasons for requesting approval of a short sale at [your property address].

[Explain your financial hardship here. Skip the sad details unless they’re financially relevant. For example, you might say: “I was injured on the job in December 2013, and I am only receiving 30% of my pay while on disability.” You don’t need to go into how much pain you’re in, the injury, or how stressed you are about paying your bills. Simply stick to the facts as they’re relevant to your financial status.]

Due to [your hardship], I am unable to continue making my mortgage payments. I am also behind on my other bills and overall unable to meet my financial obligations at this time. To avoid foreclosure, I would like to request that you approve a short sale on my home.

I currently have an offer of [amount] for my house. Although it is below the current mortgage balance of [your current mortgage balance], it is the best offer I can get on my home. Please consider accepting this short sale as payment of my mortgage, in lieu of processing a foreclosure or allowing my financial status decline to the point that I must file bankruptcy. [Note: If you don’t yet have an offer but are considering working with a real estate agent who specializes in short sales, provide this information and details. Or, if you’re requesting to be entered into a short sale program or inquiring whether your lender is willing to permit a short sale, provide these details.]

I am enclosing a copy of my financial records for the past three months, which documents my current financial status and my inability to meet my financial obligations. [Include bank statements, last year’s tax returns, last two pay stubs or unemployment documentation, and any late notices you’ve received on other bills.]

Please contact me at [Your Phone Number] if you need any additional information to process my short sale request. I am more than willing to provide any information you require to expedite this process, and hopefully resolve this financial situation without resorting to foreclosure or bankruptcy.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your Signature]

[Your Name, Address and Phone Number]
[Your Account Number]

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And here’s another example …
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{Your Name}
{Your Address}
{Your Phone Number}

{Date}

RE: short sale request for my home at {address}

To Whom It May Concern:

My name is {Name}, and I currently reside at {address}, a house that I bought
on {date of purchase}. At the time, {mortgage company} provided me with a
{30-year, 15-year, etc.} mortgage of {amount in dollars}, with a
{fixed/variable} interest rate.

When I purchased the home, I was perfectly capable of making the mortgage
payments on time and in full. Since {date}, however, I have been struggling to
make the payments because of {details of why you have fallen behind on
payments; be specific}.

Currently, my monthly income is {amount in dollars}, which must go to
{medical payments, childcare costs, etc.}, leaving an amount that will not
satisfy my mortgage payment.

I have found a buyer who will purchase my home for {amount in dollars}, which
is the best offer I have found since putting the home on the market in {month}. I
am hoping you will accept this offer so that we can both avoid the hassle and
cost of a foreclosure.

I would also appreciate it if we could work out a plan that doesn’t require you to
make a negative report on my credit.

I have enclosed the relevant financial paperwork that will help to illustrate my
current situation, including {explanation of the paperwork you’re including}.

I am truly sorry that I have ended up in this situation, and I hope that my plan for
this short sale will make it so that we can all move on as quickly and smoothly as
possible.

Sincerely,

{Sender Name}

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If you have accumulated unexpected or overwhelming medical bills and your current financial situation does not allow you to pay those bills, then consider submitting a financial hardship letter for medical bills to request relief.

Below are two medical hardship letter samples:

IMPORTANT: DO NOT COPY THIS LETTER EXACTLY. PLEASE USE YOUR OWN WORDS.

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[Date]
[Hospital/Provider]
[Billing Department Address]

RE: [Date(s)] in the hospital or of medical procedure

Dear Sir or Madam,

With this letter, I would like to state my inability to pay the bill for amount of [Amount Owed] for the procedure performed on the [Date] [or my hospital stay from [Date] to [Date]]. Please understand that this is neither a refusal to pay nor a dispute of the charges, but simply an explanation of my current financial situation.

My current income is just enough to cover basic necessities. By paying the amount due all at once as required, It would result in a serious financial hardship for my family. Please understand that I want to pay for the medical services performed and my stay in the hospital. I would like to propose paying the entire amount in monthly installments for the next [number of months] months [or you can suggest to pay a percentage of the bill at once and the rest at a later date].

I hope you will consider this request and agree to a more flexible payment. Thank You very for your understanding. If you have any questions, please call me at [Your Phone Number].

Sincerely,

[Your signature]

[Your Name, Address, Phone Number, and Social Security # ]

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And here’s another medical hardship letter sample …
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{Your Name}
{Your Address}
{Your Phone Number}

{Hospital/Clinic/Doctor Name}
{Address}
{Phone Number}
ATTN: {contact person}
{Date}

RE: {consolidation/restructuring/forgiveness} of debt on medical bills for
{Name}, account {number}

To Whom It May Concern:

My name is {Name}, and I was a patient at {hospital/clinic/doctor’s office} on
{date}, where I received {a specific procedure, treatment, etc.}. {Indicate
what your insurance covered of this procedure, or note that you did not
have insurance at the time}.

I have been on a payment plan that has me paying {amount in dollars} per
month. But I have unfortunately run into significant troubles in my life, which have
made it impossible for me to continue to keep up with this payment plan. Due to
{death in the family, loss of a job, other medical problems, etc.}, I am
dealing with making constant decisions about which of my many bills is most
important each month.

I have attached {relevant financial documents} to this letter, so that you can
see that my monthly income is only {amount in dollars}, all of which must go to
{mortgage, rent, other payments}, leaving very little left for the amount I owe
you.

{Indicate how much you can pay each month, or indicate that you would
like to have your debt forgiven due to this hardship}. I hope that we can work
out a plan that will work for both parties.

Please contact me as soon as possible so that we can begin this process.

Sincerely,

{Sender Name}

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