A hardship arrangement is not a permanent settlement — it is a time-limited accommodation that is reviewed as your circumstances change. The length of the arrangement depends on your individual situation and what you and we agree is appropriate.
Typical structure:
- A hardship arrangement is usually set for an initial review period — commonly three to six months — after which your circumstances are reassessed.
- At the review point, we consider whether the arrangement should continue as is, be adjusted (up or down depending on how things have changed), or transitioned to a standard payment arrangement if your situation has stabilised.
- If your circumstances change significantly before the review — for better or worse — you can contact us at any time to discuss adjusting the arrangement early.
What can change it:
- Improved income or financial position may mean an increase in repayments.
- A deterioration in circumstances may mean a further reduction or temporary pause.
- Missing payments without contact may cause the arrangement to fall into default, which can lead to the account reverting to standard recovery.
The goal is a sustainable arrangement — one that moves the account toward resolution over time without placing you under pressure you cannot manage.
Was this article helpful, or still not sure? Our team is happy to talk it through.