EIDL hardship options in 2026

For two years the Hardship Accommodation Plan let struggling borrowers pay a fraction of their EIDL bill. That formal program has ended — but if you cannot pay, contacting the SBA is still far better than going silent.

Short answer. The formal Hardship Accommodation Plan (which cut payments to as little as 10% for six-month stretches) ended March 19, 2025. In 2026, hardship relief is handled case by case — contact the SBA through the MySBA Loan Portal or CESC@sba.gov. It is a temporary reduction, not forgiveness, and it is free.

What the Hardship Accommodation Plan was

From 2023 the SBA let COVID EIDL borrowers who could not afford full payments drop to a reduced amount — as low as 10% of the scheduled payment — in six-month increments, renewable for up to a few years. Interest still accrued, but it kept accounts current and out of default. That formal plan expired on March 19, 2025.

What’s left in 2026

The program name is gone, but the need did not disappear, and the SBA still evaluates hardship on an individual basis. The route is to reach the SBA directly — through the MySBA Loan Portal or by emailing CESC@sba.gov (the SBA’s servicing center) — and explain the situation before you fall behind. Options narrow sharply once a loan is charged off and sent to Treasury.

How to ask

Contact the servicing center in writing, state that you cannot afford the current payment, and be ready to document income and expenses. Do this before missing payments if you can — a current borrower asking for relief has far more room than one already in default. Keep records of every request and response.

It’s a pause, not a cut

Any hardship relief reduces or delays payments — it does not reduce what you owe. Interest keeps accruing, so the balance can grow during relief. It buys time to recover, which is valuable, but if the business truly cannot ever repay, an Offer in Compromise or bankruptcy is the honest conversation to have.

Common questions

Is the EIDL Hardship Accommodation Plan still available?

The formal program ended March 19, 2025. The SBA still considers hardship case by case in 2026 — contact it through the MySBA Loan Portal or CESC@sba.gov.

Does hardship relief reduce what I owe?

No. It reduces or delays payments temporarily, but interest keeps accruing and the balance is unchanged. It buys time, not forgiveness.

Who do I contact for EIDL hardship?

The SBA's servicing center, through the MySBA Loan Portal or by emailing CESC@sba.gov. Reach out before you fall behind — options shrink after default.

If you default Offer in Compromise How repayment works Glossary: workout EIDL overview

Rules and figures here are current to mid-2026 and can change. This is education, not legal or financial advice — EIDL situations are individual. The SBA’s own hardship and settlement processes are free: deal with the SBA directly through the MySBA Loan Portal or CESC@sba.gov, and talk to a licensed attorney before an Offer in Compromise or bankruptcy. Portfolio figures come from SBA reporting and public records.