How to Get a Loan When Everyone Denies You

Cara Bradley

Written by

Cara Bradley

6 min read

Updated: 09/03/2026


Financial emergencies, such as a broken boiler or a car that’s failed its MOT, do not discriminate; neither do they consider your financial situation, credit score, or how much or little you have in your savings account before happening.

When an unexpected expense crops up and you don’t have the immediate funds or savings to pay for it, you might think about searching for a loan to tide you over. Unfortunately, it’s not always quite that simple, and depending on your financial situation and history, finding a lender willing to consider your application could prove difficult.

How to get a loan when everyone denies you?
In our guide, Viva Money explains some of the reasons why your loan application could be declined, as well as sharing things you can do to improve your chances of approval.

A close up of someone working on a laptop

Why was my loan application declined?

Why is everyone denying me for a loan?
There could be many reasons why your application for a loan was declined. We’ve listed some of the most common reasons below.

  • You don’t meet the lender’s eligibility criteria.
  • You have little to no credit history.
  • You have a bad credit history.
  • You’ve made multiple applications for credit in a short space of time.

It’s important to remember that lenders carry out affordability checks before deciding on your application to protect you from taking on credit you can’t afford to repay.

How can I improve my chances of being approved for a loan?


  • Focus on working towards a healthier credit position
    Typically, the better your credit score, the better your chance of being considered for credit.
    There are many things you can do to work towards a healthier credit score. Pay your bills on time, register to vote at your current address, and make a habit of checking your credit report to ensure all information is correct and up to date.

  • Keep your credit applications to a minimum
    Making multiple applications for credit in a short period of time could hurt your credit score.

  • Make sure you’ve understood the lender’s eligibility criteria before you apply
    Every lender will have their own eligibility criteria that you must meet before you make an application.

Is it possible to get a loan with bad credit?

It could be possible to get a loan, even if you have bad credit, although, as you may have experienced, your options may be limited.
There are several lenders in the UK who specialise in loans for people with bad credit, and while they could be willing to consider your application, it’s crucial to remember that a bad credit loan could come with a higher rate of interest.

Could I get a loan with Viva Money?

Viva Money is a credit broker. We work with a large panel of over 30 trusted UK-based lenders who offer short-term, personal loans. Several of the lenders on the Viva Money panel could be willing to consider applications from people with bad credit.

To use Viva Money’s credit broking service to search for a loan, you must:

  • Be over the age of 18;
  • Be a UK resident;
  • Have a UK bank account with a valid debit card;
  • Have a regular source of income paid directly into your bank account.

Search for a loan with Viva Money with no impact on your credit score*

Viva Money uses soft search technology to search for a loan that could be a good fit for your circumstances.
A soft search will not leave a visible record on your credit file and will not affect your credit score.

My application was rejected by Viva Money; what happens now?

We’re sorry that we weren’t able to match you with a suitable loan at this time. We understand how disheartening this may feel.
At Viva Money, we regularly review our panel of lenders, and just because we weren’t able to find you a loan this time, it doesn’t mean that we won’t be able to help you in the future. If your financial situation improves, you’re welcome to check again after 3-6 months.

Alternatives to a personal loan

Taking steps to improve your chances of being approved for credit is a great long-term plan – but it doesn’t help you right now.
What to do when nobody will give you a loan? If you need money, you may find the following loan alternatives useful.

  • Speak to a loved one
    While this won’t be a possibility for everyone, it may be worth considering whether a family member or friend could help you out. If you do borrow money from someone you know, both parties must agree on a repayment plan.

  • Check your eligibility for a credit card
    Some credit cards, such as credit builder credit cards, are aimed at people with limited or poor credit history.
    A credit builder credit card can be used to pay for an essential and affordable expense. You’ll need to make at least the minimum monthly repayment amount each month. If you clear your credit card balance in full each month, you won’t pay interest.
    Your credit card provider will report your repayment activity to the credit reference agencies (CRAs), and over time, you could see an improvement in your credit score.
    A credit card, like a loan, is a serious financial commitment, and you shouldn’t make an application unless you’ve carefully considered how your monthly repayments will affect your finances.

  • Are you claiming benefits?
    If you receive Universal Credit, you could get a Budgeting Advance. A Budgeting Advance can be used to cover a one-off essential expense, such as white goods and household items. You will not pay interest on a Budgeting Advance, and repayments will be taken from your Universal Credit payments, typically over a period of 12 months. You can find out more and check your eligibility for a Budgeting Advance via the Gov.uk website.

  • Check your benefits entitlement
    If you’re on a low income, you could be entitled to claim certain benefits. Even if you don’t think this applies to you, it’s worth checking to ensure that you’re not missing out on any support. You can check your benefits entitlement using the free Turn2Us Benefits Calculator.

  • If you need money for food or essential bills
    Please visit this page on charity StepChange’s website, which details what to do if you can’t afford to pay for your necessary outgoings, such as groceries.

Warning: ‘guaranteed’ loans and ‘no credit check’ loans

If you need money urgently, you may be tempted to search for ‘guaranteed’ loans or ‘no credit check loans’.
It’s vital to note that these types of loans do not exist. No loan can be guaranteed, and you cannot get a loan without undergoing a credit check, otherwise known as a creditworthiness assessment.
In line with guidelines set by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), all authorised and regulated credit providers must complete a creditworthiness assessment on anyone who applies for credit.

You should make sure that any credit broker or lender you share your personal and financial details with is authorised and regulated by the FCA. You can check whether a firm is on the FCA register by using the free Firm Checker tool.

I’m worried about money; who can I talk to?

There are a number of charities in the UK that offer free, confidential, and impartial financial advice. If you’re struggling with your finances or level of debt, please consider reaching out to any of the following: StepChange, MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice, and National Debtline.


*If Viva Money can match you with a loan and you choose to make an application directly with the lender, they will carry out a creditworthiness assessment, which will include a hard search or an Open Banking check. Please note that a hard search will be visible on your credit file for up to 12 months, and undergoing multiple hard searches within a short period of time could cause your credit score to decline.