Can I get approved for a personal loan if I’m unemployed?
Select breaks down a few things to know about applying for a personal loan if you’re unemployed.
The Covid-19 pandemic increased the financial strain on many individuals and families who lost all, or part, of their income as a result of being furloughed or laid off. But regardless of your employment status, there are some expenses you can’t avoid even when times are lean.
Maybe you’ve decided to take entrepreneurship by the horns, but it turns out that starting a small business is more expensive than you initially thought. Or perhaps a costly home repair crashed into your lap, and it’s beyond what your emergency fund can handle.
Whatever the reason, a personal loan can be a useful tool when it comes to getting the money you need for expenses that you otherwise may not be able to cover immediately. But much like any other financial product or service, personal loans are not without their own set of considerations that potential borrowers should keep in mind.
Select spoke to financial wellness educator Danetha Doe to break down what you need to know about getting a personal loan if you’re unemployed.
How do you apply for a personal loan?
First and foremost, you’ll need to figure out how much cash you need to borrow since with a personal loan, you’ll borrow a fixed amount of money, says Doe.
If you’ve lost your job and you’re considering taking out a personal loan to cover lost wages, consider how much you actually need to live on. Doe recommends you multiple your total monthly expenses by the number of months you think it will take to find a new job. This way, you can apply for a loan with that total amount in mind.