The federal government doesn't offer loan forgiveness for people who need to take time off from work or school to care for a family member. However, your state may have assistance options. Additionally, the federal government and many loan servicers offer forbearance and payment deferment options for economic hardship. Generally, your loans will still accrue interest during the term of these programs, but you won't be responsible for making payments. While you'll ultimately end up owing more money, you don't have to worry about going into default. Additionally, many of these programs can be applied retroactively to your last payment. Contact your loan provider as soon as possible to find out what options are available to you.