How To Utilize an Installment Loan if You Lose Your Job

If you have been laid off or have lost your job, an installment loan can help you pay your rent or mortgage, pay your car loan or lease, and more. 

The rest of this article will describe the best ways to utilize an installment loan if you happen to lose your job. 

What is an Installment Loan?

An installment loan allows a borrower to take out a lump sum of money that will be repaid over a set period with scheduled, set payments. 

Getting an Installment Loan when Unemployed

You may find yourself in need of an installment loan for multiple reasons if you are unemployed. If you find that you are ineligible for federal assistance programs or that they are not enough for you, it may be time to look into how to get an installment loan. 

Why Get an Installment Loan if You Have Lost Your Job?

Sometimes, federal assistance programs are not enough to support you and your family until you find a new job. Sometimes people are ineligible for these programs and will have no income coming in at all. 

Whatever situation you find yourself in, installment loans are a great way to ensure you have the funds needed to support you and your family. 

How to Get an Installment Loan While Unemployed

You can be approved for an Installment loan with no job, although being approved can be trickier when unemployed since lenders want to know that you can pay the loan amount back. 

To increase your chance of being approved, make sure that you include all income sources you still have, including 401(k) distributions, disability income, unemployment benefits, rental property income, child support, and more. 

Additionally, if you need cash on hand, try getting a part-time job or seeking out freelance work. This will help you as you apply for your installment loan. 

Other Ways to Ensure You Are Approved for an Installment Loan When Unemployed

Becoming unexpectedly unemployed is stressful for anyone. Here are some other ways to ensure you are approved for a loan if needed during a difficult time.

Choosing a Lender

Each lender is going to be different, so you must do some research before committing to one. Additionally, some lenders are going to be better suited for people with good or fair credit, while others specifically work for borrowers with bad credit.

If you find yourself unemployed and have bad credit, you should look into lenders that work with people with your type of credit to maximize the potential of being approved for that loan.

It pays to shop around for a lender before committing, especially if you do not know when you will have a steady income again.

Add a Cosigner or Co-applicant

If you have bad credit and don’t have any real stable income while you are unemployed, you should consider adding a cosigner or co-applicant to your application. This will boost your shot at getting approved, especially if they have good credit and a steady income.

If you decide to do this, you must be honest with this person so that they know what they are getting into. If you cannot pay your debt, they will be in charge of repaying it.

Stay on Top of Other Payments and Loans

When looking into getting an installment loan, you should always ensure that you stay current on all credit card payments, mortgages, and other loans you may have at the time.

Especially if you are unemployed, lenders are going to take a very careful look at your payment history and credit score. If you have lost your job, missed a payment or two, or have fallen behind on other loans you may have, a lender will see it and likely decline your loan request.

As you look for a loan, try to keep up with all of your payments.

How To Tell if an Installment Loan Is Right for You

As mentioned previously, taking out an installment loan is no small action. Especially during times of uncertainty, it’s important to ensure that the loan you are taking out is right for you. 

If you have been given a loan offer, you should take time to assess if the payments can be made and what you can do if you become unable to pay for the loan yourself. 

If there is any question about the monthly payment or the repayment period, you should talk to the lender about other options that may better suit your situation. 

Qualifying for a Personal Loan When Unemployed

Personal loans are a great way to not drown in rough financial times. They can be used for anything you need them to be used for, from groceries to car repair bills and more. 

If you find out that you have qualified for a online personal installment loan, there are a couple of things to consider before accepting.

Things To Consider Before Taking Out an Installment Loan When Unemployed

Becoming unemployed is never fun, but you should consider a couple of things before taking out an installment loan if you have been laid off or have lost your job. 

What Is the Repayment Term?

Depending on the lender, you will have the option of both short-term and long-term repayment options. Taking out a loan with a short repayment term means less interest will be accrued over time with higher monthly payments, while long-term loans have more interest over time with a lower monthly payment.

If you are unemployed, it is important to think about what you can afford to pay back when you have been given a loan.

What Happens if You Default on the Loan?

If you are unemployed and low on funds, you must plan what to do if you cannot repay the loan. Suppose you have taken out a secure loan. In that case, you could lose a valuable possession, while defaulting on an unsecured loan could severely damage your credit and hinder future financial prospects for years to come.

Any borrower must understand and consider these risks, but it’s especially important if you are unemployed without a steady income. If you aren’t sure where you will be financially in the months and years to come, it’s incredibly important to think about what you will do if you find yourself in a position where you can no longer repay the loan.

Are There Fees?

Many companies will charge you a fee to borrow from them, and some of these fees can be charged down the road. Ensure you understand all the fees that will be charged throughout the loan, as you don’t want any surprise financial hits while unemployed.

What Are You Using the Money For?

It’s easy to panic when you are laid off or lose your job. It can be scary for many, as you don’t know where the money you need to support yourself and your family is going to come from. That being said, you mustn’t jump into a larger loan than you need, which can cause more issues for you down the line.

Make a list of everything you must pay for during the period you are unemployed. Is everything on that list things that you absolutely need? Is there anything that you can do without? What is the smallest amount you can take out that will cover all of your most important expenses?

How Will You Repay the Loan?

Finally, the most important question to ask yourself when taking out a loan is how to repay it. Although this is important for any borrower to think about, it’s especially important for those who do not know where their next paycheck will be and where their future income will come from.

If you find yourself unemployed and need an installment loan, you must first devise a plan for how to pay it back. Borrowers should have a plan for future income so that the balance can be paid. If this step is missed and the loan defaults, it can lead to much more financial hardship for the borrower.

How To Utilize an Installment Loan if You Lose Your Job

There are many reasons why someone who has become unemployed may want to take out an installment loan, and they can utilize it in many different ways. Here are a couple of great ways to use an installment loan if you find yourself unemployed:

Rent or Mortgage

Unfortunately, your rent and mortgage will still be due even if you lose your job. This can be extremely hard on anyone if they do not know how to pay it.

Chances are that your rent or mortgage is probably one of the highest payments you’ll have to make per month. If you don’t have a lot of income after being laid off or losing your job, an installment loan can help pay your rent for a month or two until you find a new job.

Buying Food

Groceries are a major expense, especially for families. It’s easy to pay a couple of hundred dollars if you have several mouths to feed. It’s also one of the biggest expenses that often get overlooked.

If you have a bigger family and need money to buy groceries each week, an installment loan can be a great way to ensure that your family is fed during a period of uncertainty.

Covering Utilities

Utilities are an extremely important expense to think about when losing your job. It’s important to heat your house and keep the lights on. If you find yourself without a job and don’t know how you are going to pay for these utilities, an installment loan is a great way to fund this.

Paying for Prescriptions

Many people are on medications they must take to keep up their quality of life. They are necessary, and some of them are, unfortunately, not cheap. If you find yourself without a job and money to afford your prescription medications, a small installment loan can ensure that you have the medications you need for the time you are unemployed.

Other Actions You Can Take While Unemployed

On top of getting a personal loan to lessen the burden of financial issues during trying times, you can take some other actions when unemployed to help your situation.

• Figure out if you have government protections: If you have previously gotten a government-funded student loan or home loan, you may have the ability to temporarily pause your payments. 
• Contact creditors: If you have a ton of bills and are unsure of how to pay them, you can contact your creditors to see if they have any options available to help. These creditors are not legally required to help you during these times, but some may try to work with you. 
• Research assistance programs: Some assistance programs may be available to help you with food, medical bills, and utilities. 
• Know which payments can be missed: Although you want to try to pay every bill on time, sometimes you have to pick and choose. Prioritize your bills as household necessities should be at the top of the list. 
• Find a new income source: This seems obvious, but it might be the last thing on your mind in the rush of losing a job. You want to make sure that you are secure at the moment first. Look into getting a part-time job or finding some gig work between jobs. 

Final Thoughts

Becoming unemployed can be a really scary thing for many people and a reality that many found themselves in in the past couple of years.

If you cannot get government assistance or need more than that assistance, an installment loan is a great option to consider that will help you afford your necessities while finding new work.