Few things are more stressful than being unemployed. Here, we'll show you how it's possible to get a personal loan while unemployed, and help you decide if it's the right move for you.
Can you get a personal loan when unemployed?
Yes, you can get a personal loan if you're unemployed. Your ability to get a personal loan doesn't depend on your employment status, although it might seem that way at first.
How does an unemployment loan work?
An unemployment loan provides financial assistance to unemployed individuals that need money to meet their immediate living expenses. How these loans work can vary depending on the lender’s policies, the type of loan, and the specific arrangements made with the borrower.
Anyone considering an unemployment loan should understand the terms fully and be realistic about their ability to repay the loan.
What to know before applying for an unemployment loan
When you apply for a personal loan, the lender looks at your credit score, your other debt, and your income.
When it comes to your debts and your income, the lender wants to make sure that you have enough money coming in to cover the new loan payment in addition to any other debt payments you already have to make.
What credit score you'll need
Generally, you'll need a score of 580 or higher to qualify for a personal loan (although the credit score needed for a personal loan varies by lender and it may be possibly to qualify with a lower score).
If you need an emergency loan and don't have time to improve your credit score, you're not alone. Look for loans for bad credit. These lenders -- also known as a mashonisa -- will have experience working with low-credit borrowers and will be more likely to approve you for a loan.
Secured vs. unsecured loans
Whether you qualify for a secured or unsecured loan depends on your income status.
- For an unsecured loan, your income doesn't necessarily have to come from a job. Your income can be from many different sources.
- For a secured loan, you can even qualify with no income at all. But if you have no income, you will need assets that you can use as collateral.
Here are the steps you can take if you need to get a personal loan when you don't have a job.
Compare the best personal loans
Get the best rates and terms to fit your needs. Here are a few loans we'd like to highlight, including our award winners.
| Lender | APR Range | Loan Amount | Min. Credit Score | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Apply Now for Upstart Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars. 4.0/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | 7.80% - 35.99% | $1,000 - $50,000 | None | Apply Now for Upstart |
Apply Now for Best Egg Powered by Credible Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars. 4.0/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | 8.99% - 35.99% | $2,000 - $50,000 | 550 | Apply Now for Best Egg Powered by Credible |
How to get a loan without a job
1. Understand your options
Get familiar with your loan options, because once you start looking for alternative loan types, you'll run into many that are marketed to people with a bad credit score or no credit history. Those are the most expensive types of loans.
If that's not your situation, you'll want to separate those choices from more affordable options that fit your situation.
| Loan type | Who it's best for |
|---|---|
| Unsecured loan | Someone who meets the credit requirements and can document some form of income. |
| Secured loan | Someone who has assets to use as collateral. |
| No income, no assets (NINA) loan | This is typically not a personal loan. It's used to finance real estate that's expected to generate rental income. |
| Title loan | Someone who owns a car and is willing to use it as collateral. Title loans typically have a short loan term and high price. A title loan generally does not require a credit check. |
| Payday loan or cash advance loan | Someone who has a job with a steady paycheck. Payday loans typically have a short loan term and high price. Payday lenders generally don't require a credit check. |
| Payday Alternative Loan (PAL) | Someone with a job who is also a member of a credit union. Payday loan alternatives are short-term loans, but typically longer than payday loans, and cost much less. These loans don't require a credit check. |
| Family or friends | This is a personal arrangement that you make with someone you know. You should document the amount, interest, payment terms, and any penalties. Don't neglect to make payments just because the person may be more forgiving than a bank. |
| Cash advance | Many credit cards allow you to borrow cash. The cash advance credit limit is usually lower than the purchase credit limit. The loan term is whatever length of time it takes you to pay off the balance. Cash advances are almost always subject to a much higher interest rate, but the rate may still be lower than other types of loans (like payday loans or title loans). |
| Cash-out refinance | This loan uses your home as collateral. You borrow more than you currently owe on your mortgage, and you get the difference in cash. Even though this is a secured loan, you'll need to have a source of income to cover the payments. |
| Home equity line of credit (HELOC) or home equity loan | This is money you borrow against the equity you have in your home. Even though this is a secured loan, you'll need to have a source of income to cover the payments. |
| Debt management plan (DMP) | Someone who needs to lower their total monthly payment. This isn't a loan, per se, but it may be appropriate if you are struggling to keep up with your debt payments. A certified credit counseling agency will help you create a 3-to-5-year plan to pay off all your debts with a single payment that may be more affordable than your current combined monthly payments. Creditors might lower your interest rate to help you get through the DMP successfully. |
2. Document your income
Any income you receive could help you qualify for an unsecured loan. You'll have to provide documentation, such as a recent statement.
Lenders may consider:
- Child support
- Alimony
- A pension or annuity
- Disability
- Social security
- Dividends
- Interest
- Required minimum distributions from your retirement accounts
- Spouse's income
Being able to document some kind of income could mean the difference between getting an unsecured vs. a secured loan.
3. Document your assets
If you don't have enough income to qualify for the loan, you might be able to qualify for a secured loan based on your assets instead.
Here are examples of assets a lender might consider:
- Bank account or certificate of deposit
- Car, motorcycle, or RV
- Boat
- Retirement account
- Stocks or bonds
- Jewelry
- Artwork
- Collector's items
If you plan to use jewelry, artwork, or collector's items as collateral, the lender will require a professional appraisal and may ask for physical possession of the item until the loan is repaid.
4. Check with your bank
Credit unions and banks usually have secured loan options. Virtually all will consider different income sources for an unsecured loan. Only credit unions offer payday loan alternatives (PALs).
5. Check online lenders
An online loan is similar to a loan from your local bank. They will usually consider income sources other than employment. Many popular online lenders offer unsecured loans only, but you will find some that specialize in secured loans.
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6. Avoid predatory loans
Title lenders make loans using your vehicle as collateral. Payday loans charge enormous fees. These are considered predatory loans. They are very expensive, and you can end up paying back many times the loan amount.
If you default on a title loan, the lender can take your vehicle (but risking your collateral is true for any secured loan). For some payday loans, you can't miss a payment because the lender will automatically take the money out of your bank account on payday, even if you need it for other expenses.
7. Choose carefully
Check rates and fees. Depending on your circ*mstances, not having a job could make you look like a more risky borrower. That could cause them to charge you higher rates and fees for an installment loan.
What to do if you're not approved
If you aren't approved, you can try lowering your loan amount or talking to the lender to find out how you might be able to qualify. Be careful about applying with several lenders, as each application has the potential to damage your credit score. Many lenders offer information based on a soft pull, which doesn't affect your score. Take advantage of that when you can.
You could also ask someone to be your cosigner. This means you are asking that person to take responsibility for -- and repay -- your debt. Be careful with this, as you could inadvertently give someone you care about a new financial problem if you are unable to repay your loan.
Alternatives to loans for people on unemployment
If the options above aren't a good fit for you, there are other options. You are likely more stressed right now than you have ever been in your life, and if adding one more bill to your life adds more strain, take care of yourself by not taking on the obligation.
Contact your creditors for financial assistance with unemployment loans
Since the pandemic, people have been able to find more financial assistance from:
- Banks
- Credit union
- Lenders
- Credit card issuers
- Utility providers
- Landlords
If you're struggling to keep up with your bills, call your creditors and explain your situation. They may offer paused payments, deferment, forbearance, new repayment plans, or other forms of financial relief.
Low-interest credit card
If you had a low-interest credit card before your job loss, check the current interest rate to make sure nothing has changed. If you're sure you can manage the monthly payment, consider using it as an emergency loan.
Borrow from an investment or retirement account
If you're in a bind, call your investment or retirement account manager to learn if you can borrow from your account.
When you borrow from an investment or retirement account, you don't need to worry about credit score requirements or interest rates. You will give up the interest you could have earned from keeping your money in your retirement account, but that's a small price to pay for peace of mind and having your bills taken care of.
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FAQs
Yes. Many personal loan lenders are willing to consider other sources of income. If you don't have income, you may be able to qualify for a loan based on your assets.
Check with the lender before you apply. Many lenders will consider income from these sources:
- Child support
- Alimony
- A pension or annuity
- Disability
- Social security
- Dividends
- Interest
- Required minimum distributions from your retirement accounts
- Spouse's income
The best place to start is your own bank or credit union. You can also check with online lenders, but you'll need to research which lenders offer loans that are right for your situation. If you have a source of income, most lenders will work with you. If you need to use collateral instead, find a lender that offers secured loans.
