If you are experiencing genuine financial hardship — whether due to illness, job loss, relationship breakdown, or another significant life event — writing a hardship letter to Merion is one of the most effective steps you can take. It creates a formal record of your situation and opens the door to arrangements tailored to what you can actually manage.
This article explains what to include. It does not prescribe exact wording — your letter should be in your own words and reflect your specific situation.
Start with your identifying details
Open with your full name, your Merion reference number (shown on any letter or notice from us), and the date. This ensures your letter reaches the right account immediately.
State that you are experiencing financial hardship
Say it plainly and early: I am writing to advise that I am currently experiencing financial hardship and am unable to meet my account obligations as they stand. Do not bury this point.
Explain the cause
Describe what has caused your hardship. Common causes include:
- Illness or injury (your own or a family member's)
- Redundancy or reduction in income
- Relationship breakdown or separation
- Unexpected major expenses
- Natural disaster or other event beyond your control
Be specific. A letter that says "I lost my job on [date] and have been unable to find full-time work since" is far more useful than one that simply says "I am struggling financially."
Summarise your current income and expenses
Provide an honest summary of your financial position — your income (from all sources, including Centrelink), your regular essential expenses, and any other debts you are managing. You do not need to provide a formal budget, but the more specific you are, the easier it is for us to assess what is realistic.
State what you can offer
Be specific: say how much you can pay (for example, $30 per week or $100 per month) and how often. If you believe you genuinely cannot pay anything at all right now, say so and explain why — but also indicate whether you expect that to change and when.
Acknowledge the debt without conceding a dispute
If the debt is not in dispute, you can acknowledge that you owe the amount. If you have a separate dispute about the amount or its validity, you can note that the hardship request is made without prejudice to your dispute — and lodge a formal dispute separately using our form at merion.com.au/dispute-a-debt/.
Attach supporting evidence if you have it
Evidence is not mandatory, but it strengthens your request. Examples include:
- A Centrelink income statement or payment confirmation letter
- A medical certificate or discharge summary
- A redundancy or termination letter
- A recent bank statement showing your income and expenditure
Keep it brief and factual
A hardship letter does not need to be long. One to two pages is usually sufficient. Focus on facts rather than emotion. Our team reads each hardship request carefully and makes decisions based on the substance of what you have provided.
Once your letter is ready, send it to [email protected] or use our contact form. If you would like free help before you write your letter, contact the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 — their financial counsellors can help you draft a letter and understand your options at no cost.
Was this article helpful, or still not sure? Our team is happy to talk it through.