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News: Can You Get A Credit Card Without A Job? - Credit-Land.com

When you apply for a credit card, credit card issuers usually ask for your employment status and total annual income. While you need a verifiable source of income, you can get approved for a credit card regardless of employment status.

Whether you are changing your job, retired, or stay-at-home parent, you can apply for a credit card even if you are not a part-time employee. According to the CARD Act of 2009, credit card issuers are required to consider whether an applicant can afford credit card's minimum payments before they offer a new credit card or credit limit increase. In addition to your annual income, credit card issuers can consider your monthly mortgage payments or rent payments, and your current loan and credit card payments.

If you don't have any income, your chances to qualify for any type of credit are extremely low, if not zero. However, your income doesn't have to come from a job.

Here is what you can include in your annual gross income (how much you earn before taxes) when applying for a credit card:

  • Earnings from working as a freelancer, contractor, or gig worker, or from running your own business.
  • Regular income from your investments and savings (interest, dividends, and bond coupon payments).
  • Social security payments, a pension, or 401(k) distributions.
  • Social Security disability income and other type of public assistance.
  • Alimony, child support and separate maintenance payments.
  • Financial support that is sent to your bank account.
  • Royalties, foster-care income, proceeds from a trust, and other sources of income.

When you include income from many sources, you need to simply add up all the amounts you want to use and calculate your annual gross income as a total. You don't have to include all the income sources you have if you don't want to.

If your income isn't enough to qualify for a credit card, consider applying for a simpler credit card. For example, if you are applying for a premium credit card with a high minimum credit limit, you will need a higher income to afford potentially high monthly payments.

It might be easier to qualify for a card that comes with a lower credit limit. Cards designed for those looking to build their credit usually come with low credit limits.

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