Affirm does not have an official skip-a-payment feature, but you can request a temporary pause through their customer service team
Affirm's standard payment schedule does not include a built-in option to skip a month the way some other buy-now-pay-later services do. However, you can contact Affirm directly to discuss a payment deferral — a temporary postponement of one or more payments — if you are facing a hardship. Whether they will grant it depends on your account history, the reason for the request, and how far along you are in your payment plan.
The key difference: skipping a payment is not the same as missing one. A skip is an agreement between you and Affirm. A missed payment is a default, and it damages your credit. If you need breathing room, you have to ask before the payment is due, not after.
Key Takeaways
- Affirm has no automatic skip option, but you can request a payment deferral by calling customer service or messaging through the app before your payment due date.
- A granted deferral postpones your payment to a later date; the amount you owe does not disappear, and interest may still accrue depending on your plan terms.
- Missing a payment without requesting a deferral first will be reported to credit bureaus and may trigger late fees or account suspension.
- Your chances of getting a deferral improve if you have a clean payment history and contact Affirm before the payment is due, not after.
- Some Affirm plans charge interest; others are interest-free — check your contract to understand whether a deferral extends the interest-free period or adds to your total cost.
How to request a payment deferral with Affirm
Open the Affirm app or log into your account online and find the specific loan or purchase you need to defer. Look for a "Contact Us" or "Help" option within that order. You can also call Affirm's customer service line directly. Be ready to explain why you need the deferral — job loss, unexpected expense, medical emergency, or other hardship — and how long you need.
Affirm's customer service team will review your request based on your account standing. If you have paid on time consistently and this is your first request, you are more likely to be approved. They may offer you a one-month deferral, a longer pause, or suggest an alternative like a payment plan adjustment. Get the terms in writing — either through the app, email confirmation, or a screenshot of the conversation — so you have proof of what was agreed.
What happens to your payment schedule after a deferral
When Affirm defers a payment, that amount does not vanish. It moves to a later date, usually added to the end of your repayment schedule. If you were supposed to pay $50 in March and it is deferred to April, you will owe $50 in April instead. If you have multiple payments deferred, they stack up, extending your payoff date.
Interest treatment depends on your specific plan. If you took out an interest-free Affirm loan, a deferral typically does not add interest to the deferred amount — but the interest-free period may or may not extend to cover the new due date. If your plan includes interest, the deferred amount may continue to accrue interest during the deferral period. Read your loan agreement or ask Affirm directly which applies to you, because this varies by plan type and merchant.
The difference between a deferral and a missed payment
A deferral is an agreement you make with Affirm before the payment is due. Affirm acknowledges it, documents it, and does not report it as a default to credit bureaus. Your credit score is not affected.
A missed payment happens when the due date passes and you have not paid and have not arranged a deferral. Affirm will report this to the credit bureaus, which will lower your credit score. You may also face late fees — Affirm's late fee policy varies, so check your account terms — and your account may be suspended or sent to collections if the debt remains unpaid for an extended period.
The timing matters. If you call on the due date or after, Affirm may still work with you, but they are less likely to treat it as a proactive deferral and more likely to treat it as damage control after a missed payment. Call before the due date.
When Affirm is likely to deny a deferral request
Affirm is more likely to refuse a deferral if you have already missed payments on this account, if you have requested multiple deferrals in a short time, or if you are already behind on your schedule. They may also deny the request if you are early in the loan — some lenders are stricter about deferrals in the first month or two, when they are still assessing your reliability.
If Affirm denies your request, ask what options remain. Some customers have had success negotiating a smaller payment for one month instead of a full deferral, or spreading the deferred amount across two months rather than one. You can also ask whether paying a portion of the amount due would keep the account in good standing while you work toward the full payment.
Alternatives if a deferral is not an option
If Affirm will not defer your payment, you have a few other paths. First, check whether you can pay the full amount owed by borrowing from a friend, family member, or a personal line of credit — this is faster and cheaper than letting the account go into default. Second, if you are facing a genuine financial crisis, look into whether you may have access to for emergency information through a local nonprofit or government program; some of these can help with urgent bills, though they typically do not pay directly to Affirm.
Third, if you are certain you cannot pay, contact Affirm and ask about a settlement — paying less than the full amount owed to close the account. This is a last resort because it will still damage your credit, but it may be better than a prolonged default. Affirm is not required to offer this, but it is worth asking.
How a deferral affects your credit report
A granted deferral does not appear on your credit report as a negative mark. Affirm will not report it to the credit bureaus, and your credit score should not be affected. However, if you miss the new deferred due date, that missed payment will be reported, and the damage will be the same as if you had missed the original date.
Keep track of your new due date after a deferral is approved. Set a reminder in your phone or calendar. If you are struggling to make that payment too, contact Affirm again before that date arrives — do not wait until after you have missed it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skip a payment on Affirm without asking first?
No. If you miss a payment without contacting Affirm beforehand, it will be reported as a missed payment to credit bureaus and may trigger late fees. You must request a deferral before the due date to avoid this outcome.
Will a deferral add interest to what I owe?
It depends on your plan. Interest-free plans typically do not add interest during a deferral, though the interest-free period may not extend to cover the new due date. Plans with interest may continue accruing it during the deferral. Check your loan agreement or ask Affirm which applies to you.
How many times can I defer a payment?
Affirm does not publish a hard limit, but multiple deferrals in a short period will make future requests less likely to be approved. Treat deferrals as occasional relief, not a regular feature of your payment plan.
What if I defer a payment and then can't pay the deferred amount either?
Contact Affirm again before the new due date. Explain your situation and ask whether they can defer again, offer a smaller payment, or discuss other options. Waiting until after you miss the deferred payment will put you back in default status.
Does a deferral show up on my credit report?
No. A granted deferral is not reported to credit bureaus and does not affect your credit score. Only missed payments are reported. However, if you miss the new deferred due date, that will be reported as a missed payment.