Technically, hardship loans do not have their own category. However, if you are experiencing hardship you may be able to use a personal loan to cover emergency hardship expenses. Credit unions and some banks offer Coronavirus Hardship Loans to help people who the pandemic has impacted and have emergency expenses they need to pay. They usually have a maximum amount of $5000, and some offer the option to defer your payment for a few months. The rates are generally as low as or lower than traditional personal loans. The application process includes verifying the borrower's income, and the borrower needs to provide proof of hardship. The amount a borrower can qualify for depends on their credit history and credit score.