This guide helps with
- Recognise when an arrangement has become unaffordable
- Understand that lowering a plan is a normal, reasonable request
- Know how to ask Merion to reduce your payments
- Learn what information helps support a lower amount
- Find free help to work out a sustainable figure
5 min read
You're not alone
Sometimes a plan that felt manageable when you set it up becomes a strain — costs rise, income drops, or an unexpected bill lands. If your payments are now too high, please do not suffer through them or simply stop. Asking to lower an arrangement is completely normal, and we would much rather adjust it than see you fall behind.
You are not letting anyone down by saying the amount no longer fits. The aim has always been a payment you can sustain.
What you can do
The goal is to land on a new amount that fits your budget today. A lower payment you can keep up is far better than a higher one you cannot.
- Look again at your income and essential costs to see what has changed.
- Work out a new amount you could comfortably manage.
- Note anything specific that has made the current payments hard.
- Reach out before a payment is due rather than after you have missed one.
Step by step
- Have your account or reference number handy.
- Decide on a new, realistic payment amount and frequency.
- Contact us through the contact form or reply to your letter, and explain the current plan is too high.
- Propose your lower amount and briefly say what changed.
- Keep paying what you can in the meantime, and keep a copy of your request.
Free support available
A free financial counsellor can help you work out a payment level that is genuinely sustainable and explain your options. Call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 — free, confidential and independent. If the pressure is affecting your wellbeing, Lifeline on 13 11 14 and Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 are available any time.
Good to know
- If a plan has become unaffordable, ask to lower it rather than falling behind.
- A smaller, sustainable payment is better than a larger one you cannot keep.
- Reach out before a due date and propose a realistic new amount.
- Free help to set a sustainable figure is on 1800 007 007.
FAQ
Will lowering my payments cause problems?
No — adjusting to an amount you can sustain is much better than missing payments. Just let us know early and we will work with you.
Do I have to prove why I can't keep up?
A short, honest explanation of what changed is usually enough. We only ask for more if we genuinely need it.
What if even a small payment is too much right now?
Then it may be time to look at pausing payments for a while. Tell us, and a financial counsellor on 1800 007 007 can help you work out what is realistic.
Still stuck? Our team is happy to help you sort it out.