Credit Cards for Unemployed People

‘Can I get a credit card if I’m unemployed?’ is a common question.
While some credit card providers, including thimbl, could be willing to consider applications from those who are unemployed, there’s a lot to think about before you decide whether to apply.

Unemployed credit cards: is it possible to get a credit card if I’m unemployed?

Are you looking for information on credit cards for the unemployed?
While ‘unemployed credit cards’ is not a specific product, it might be possible for you to get a credit card as an unemployed person. This depends on factors such as your credit history and whether you have any income regularly paid into your bank account. This could include state benefit(s) or a pension payment.

For many credit card providers, being employed is one of the eligibility requirements.

Should I apply for a credit card when unemployed?

While you could get a credit card as an unemployed person, the most important question to ask is, ‘Should I get a credit card, and can I afford the repayments?’

When thinking about searching for a credit card, it’s crucial to work out whether you could afford your monthly repayments. You’ll need to make sure that you have enough income to cover the cost of your repayments. Depending on the provider, income doesn’t necessarily have to be from wages; it could also include money received from certain state benefits and/or pension payments.

Credit cards for bad credit and unemployed people

Having a history of bad credit doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t be eligible for a credit card, although your borrowing options could be limited — especially if you’re also unemployed.

Some providers specialise in credit cards for bad credit, and they may consider applications from people who are unemployed. As we’ve talked about in the section above, you’ll usually need to demonstrate that you receive some form of income.

I’m unemployed and on benefits — could I get a credit card?

If you’re unemployed and receive state benefits, it’s worth noting that some providers may count certain benefits as a form of income.

You could check your eligibility for a thimbl credit card if you're unemployed and on benefits, as long as you receive a minimum monthly net income of £800. Income could include pension payments and certain long-standing benefits, such as Universal Credit.

You can find our full eligibility criteria further down the page.

Can I get a credit card if I’m unemployed and a pensioner?

You could get a credit card if you’re a pensioner, although again, you’ll need to check the eligibility criteria of your chosen provider before you apply.
Some providers may class your pension payments as a regular source of income. You should be aware that some credit card providers also have an upper age limit for applicants.

You could be eligible for a thimbl credit card, even if you’re a pensioner. You can find out more in our guide to Credit Cards for Pensioners.

Unemployed credit cards: will I need to provide proof of income for my credit card application?

If you’re eligible for a credit card and choose to make a full application, you could be asked to provide proof of your income and show that these payments are paid directly into your bank account. This can usually be done by sharing a recent bank statement or through Open Banking.

Open Banking is a safe and secure procedure carried out by authorised third parties, such as a credit card provider. With your permission, Open Banking enables your chosen provider to access the recent transactions in your bank account with a read-only view.

Before you apply for an unemployed credit card

If you do find a provider who is open to considering applications from unemployed people, there are things you should consider before you go ahead.

• You will need to think very carefully about how you’ll repay the money you owe. Remember, you should never use your credit card to borrow more money than you need to or can afford to .


• You might feel capable of managing your repayments now, but would you still be able to afford them if your situation changed — for example, your benefits were reduced?


• If you make a late repayment or miss one altogether, you could be charged a fee. This could harm your credit score and make it harder to access credit in the future.


• A credit card that’s suitable for unemployed people could have a higher interest rate and a lower credit limit. Your credit limit is the total amount of money you can borrow on your credit card, although this should never be seen as an incentive to spend money that you don’t need to or can’t afford to repay.
  The balance is how much you owe. You’ll need to make at least the minimum repayment amount due on your credit card balance each month. If you clear your balance in full every month, you won’t be charged interest.


• Repaying a credit card should never leave you unable to cover the cost of your essential monthly outgoings, such as your mortgage or rent, bills, and food shopping. If you’re concerned that your repayments could affect your other financial commitments, you might wish to take a step back, explore your options, and do some research into credit card alternatives.

Credit cards for unemployed people: the thimbl credit card eligibility criteria

You can check your eligibility for a thimbl credit card if you:

• Are between the ages of 18 and 75
• Are a UK resident with at least 1 year's UK address history
• Have a monthly net income of at least £800
• Have an active credit account that has been open for a minimum of 4 months
• Do not already hold a Zable credit card.

thimbl is a credit broker. The thimbl credit card is powered by Zable, a trading name of Lendable Ltd.

Lendable Ltd is unable to consider applications from anyone who has declared bankruptcy or is in an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA).

How does the thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card work?

The thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card could help you do just that: build your credit and work towards a healthier credit position.

1. Use your thimbl credit card to pay for a necessary, affordable purchase.


2. Make at least the minimum repayment amount each month until your balance has been cleared. Where possible, you should try to make more than the minimum repayment amount. If you pay your balance in full and on time each month, you won’t be charged interest.


3. Your repayment history will be reported to the credit reference agencies (CRAs). Making your repayments on time could help you build positive credit history, and, in time, you could see an improvement in your credit score.


4. Credit builder credit cards may work most effectively when used alongside other credit-building methods, such as registering to vote and checking your credit report for errors. It’s also important to keep on top of any existing credit commitments and ensure that all your bills are paid on time.

The thimbl credit card comes with a manageable, personalised credit limit between £200 and £2,000 to help with responsible spending. Please note that, if approved, the credit limit you’re offered will depend on your individual circumstances.

What’s the best credit card for unemployed people?

There isn’t one credit card that’s ‘best’ for unemployed people. The credit card that’s ‘best’ for your circumstances is affordable and suits your financial goals, whether that’s building credit or spreading the cost of a purchase.

I can’t afford my credit card repayments; what should I do?

In this situation, you should contact your credit card provider as soon as possible. They will talk you through the next steps that you’ll need to take and will share any options that may be available to help ease some of the pressure.

I need help with money; who can I speak to?

If you’re worried about your finances, please don’t suffer in silence. You can access free, confidential money and debt management support from a range of charities and organisations, including StepChange, MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice, and National Debtline.

*The thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card is powered by Zable. Zable is a trading style of Lendable Ltd. If you choose to make a full application, a creditworthiness assessment will be carried out by Zable. This will consist of a hard search and a further check powered by Open Banking. A hard search will remain on your credit file for up to 12 months, and multiple hard searches within a short period of time could hurt your credit score. Any credit obtained upon successful application will be provided by Lendable Ltd.

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