Consumer complaint received 2023-06-11
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: IL
Product: Credit card or prepaid card
Sub-product: Store credit card
Issue: Struggling to pay your bill
Sub-issue: Credit card company won't work with you while you're going through financial hardship

Complaint:
I am a XXXX XXXX and due to XXXX XXXX and strain I became overwhelmed in my position during the XXXX of XXXX. I met with my manager on different forms of XXXX XXXX XXXX  that were open to me which eventually lead to me having to leave my position. I still had a family to care for so I contacted another XXXX team for a position. As i started working there issues with race and bullying became an issue and after a month I lost my income due to a hostile environment and racism ; this was XX/XX/XXXX. It turned out the effects of my employment, diet, and stress of not being able to provide for my family took a toll on my body and I became very ill with XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. I contacted all of my creditors because I wanted my credit to remain at least fair during this time. I was told by them all, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and Citibank that they would work with me and asked what i could pay, they updated my accounts on my condition or so I was told. I tried the minimal but I didn't have enough income coming in. There was no XXXX or holiday season for me or my family but we were happy I was still alive. I contacted them all once again in XX/XX/XXXX and was told my accounts would be on something like a forbearance hold until I could pay and not report my accounts until I could get back on my feet, I was told they would update my accounts. Three creditors asked how long it would be before i could pay again and I gave an estimated 3 to 4 months because I lost my health insurance and had to find a provider that would take Medicaid to help with my conditions and possible procedures needed. 
I changed my eating habits/diet, exercised, and lost XXXX lbs. within 2 months. I continued to communicate with my creditors and even applied for XXXX  but it was only enough to barely pay my rent. I applied for TANF/General Assistance and EBT for food but was denied because I wasn't employed. I eventually found a provider an hour away which was good but my XXXX procedure was only able to be performed a month out in XXXX on the XXXX in XXXX. I was patient. XXXX was still providing. 
I looked for new employment positions because I was falling far behind and I had a XXXX XXXX  and going to XXXX that I had to prepare for. I found the position which was {$2.00} over minimum wage at XXXX XXXX, a block away from my home, and started a week after my XXXX procedure on XX/XX/XXXX in training with less than 30 hours. I was supposed to go slow ; I wasn't pulling or moving much and I had stents in my sides but I needed the funds. I contacted my creditors to update them on my employment but found out it was too late for some by this time, they had reported my accounts at least 30 days past due and closed them after they told me they wouldn't. I have no idea how to get my credit repaired or pay bills. I'm constantly getting calls from collection agencies but don't give my information. 
XXXX XXXX worked with me and started a payment plan for XX/XX/XXXX with no interest or fees. That gave me hope but my credit is now shot. I am not financially stable with this new position but I could've made payments and at least wanted to get back on my feet to good credit and health. Please can you help? I just found out about Consumer Finance.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation