Apple Card's Deferred Payment Program Limited to Six Months of Enrollment in 2020 - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Card's Deferred Payment Program Limited to Six Months of Enrollment in 2020

Introduced in March, and offered every month since, the COVID-19 Customer Assistance Program has allowed Apple Card holders to skip their monthly payment without incurring interest charges amid these challenging times.

apple card feature2
In an email to a MacRumors reader today, Apple Card financial partner Goldman Sachs indicated that it is currently planning to offer customers the ability to enroll in this program up to six times in 2020, which it said is "consistent with current regulatory guidelines" in the United States. For customers that have been enrolled since March, this means that August would be their sixth and final month of eligibility this year.

Customers can change their enrollment status for August at any time prior to August 31, should they wish to save their sixth enrollment for a later month. In this case, their next payment would be due at the end of the month, including interest if applicable. Goldman Sachs can be reached through the Wallet app or by phone at 1-877-255-5923.

"We know this is a difficult time for many and our thoughts are with you," said Goldman Sachs, adding that it is developing additional payment plans for customers who need them and that it hopes to share more details soon.

To enroll in the program, open the Wallet app on an iPhone or iPad, tap on the ‌Apple Card‌, tap on the black circle with three dots, tap on the message bubble, and send a message along the lines of "I want to enroll in the Customer Assistance Program." Confirmation of your enrollment will be sent to the email address associated with your Apple ID.

Customers need to re-enroll in the program each month.

Popular Stories

apple card apple ad

Apple Shares New 'Apple Card: Apply and Use in Minutes' Ad

Friday November 6, 2026 9:22 am PST by
Apple today shared a new Apple Card ad highlighting how quick it is to apply, get approved, and make purchases. In the spot, a therapist is listening to a patient drone on when a cheap flight pops up on her iPhone. Her wallet is across the room and she can't get up to grab it, so she opens up the iPhone Wallet app, applies for an Apple Card, and is able to purchase a flight within a couple...
apple pro tell logo

Apple Launching Five New Products Today

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:59 am PST by
Apple is launching five new products on Friday, November 6, following pre-orders that opened last week, including its first touchscreen MacBook Pro models. The following new products will be available from today: iPad mini with OLED display and A20 Pro chip iMac with M6 chip 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 chip 14-inch MacBook Pro with OLED touchscreen 16-inch MacBook Pro with OLED...
duo aquarium

More Fun iPhone Duo Apps: 30 New Picks to Try

Friday November 6, 2026 3:27 pm PST by
When the iPhone Duo launched, we shared a list of some of the fun apps developers created for the new form factor. Two weeks out, developers are continuing to come up with fresh ideas, so we thought we'd share some of our favorites. Games Marbles Unhinged ($2.99) - Marbles Unhinged is a marble maze designed for the Duo. When you fold it, the floor turns into a ramp. If you stand the top...

Top Rated Comments

lanegandy Avatar
81 months ago

Thank you for clarifying that. I guess I'll just defer the payments since no interests is being charged.
Probably not a good idea if you're able to pay it off now. This should only be used as a last resort.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jonblatho Avatar
81 months ago

so it is good for another 6 months????
Not necessarily. If you've already enrolled for each month from March through August, you won't be able to enroll again should they (presumably) offer it again in September, October, November, and/or December, as you've already enrolled for six months in 2020. If you enrolled for three months in 2020, you can enroll for three more months through the end of the year. The counter should reset, assuming they continue to offer this program, in January.


When do you repay your deferred credit card debt, when you obviously live paycheck to paycheck?
This is more intended as an emergency measure for people whose finances have been really, truly upended by the pandemic, not necessarily for people who were living paycheck-to-paycheck previously, so they don't have to choose between necessities like rent and food, or paying their credit card bills.

——————

Slightly off topic, but I've seen some TV financial advisors telling folks to take these credit card deferments even if they don't need it and save back that money instead. Given that these programs may show up as remarks on your credit report — they don't directly hurt your score but it may concern a future creditor — and the impact of revolving credit utilization on credit scores, I'd recommend against taking the deferments and instead paying your bill if it's feasible at all for your situation. The debt doesn't go away, you're just delaying its repayment, and it can get out of hand pretty quickly.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Westside guy Avatar
81 months ago

"We know these are difficult times and want to assure you that we at Goldman Sachs are as compassionate as regulatory guidelines demand."
This reminded me of the Futurama quote - "I respect your diversity to the extent the law requires".
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Analog Kid Avatar
81 months ago
"We know these are difficult times and want to assure you that we at Goldman Sachs are as compassionate as regulatory guidelines demand."
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bpeeps Avatar
81 months ago

They show up as remarks, which at least in the case of the Apple Card’s deferral program shouldn’t impact one’s score directly (as I don't believe they're treated as adverse remarks), but they may lead to higher revolving credit utilization if nothing at all is being paid and the card is still being used, which does greatly impact one's score.

A creditor who looks closely at credit reports may also see a remark about deferred payments on a potential debtor's credit report and have some concern that this person may not be able to repay what they owe, even if the remarks aren't explicitly considered adverse and the score hasn't been impacted. That's why I recommend against doing this unless it's truly necessary.
It's crazy how uneducated most people are on credit and credit cards. People upthread eyeing this as a 6 month interest free loan are wild. If you can afford to pay it off, you should be paying it off. Otherwise you should work to setup savings goals over time to purchase the things you want.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ilikewhey Avatar
81 months ago

Thank you for clarifying that. I guess I'll just defer the payments since no interests is being charged.
however that does not stopping them from reporting your credit score, i did it for 2 month on another credit card and they lowered my credit by 4 points.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Early Apple Black Friday Deals on Apple Watch, MacBook Air, and More
Early Apple Black Friday Deals on Apple Watch, MacBook Air, and More
10 hours ago
'Backglow' Lets You Customize New MacBook Pro's Glowing Apple Logo
'Backglow' Lets You Customize New MacBook Pro's Glowing Apple Logo
10 hours ago
Top Stories: Apple Product Launches, iOS 27.3 Beta, and More
Top Stories: Apple Product Launches, iOS 27.3 Beta, and More
17 hours ago
More Fun iPhone Duo Apps: 30 New Picks to Try
More Fun iPhone Duo Apps: 30 New Picks to Try
1 day ago
Hands-On With Apple's New OLED Touchscreen MacBook Pro
Hands-On With Apple's New OLED Touchscreen MacBook Pro
1 day ago
Apple Store With All-New Design Opening Soon in Southern California
Apple Store With All-New Design Opening Soon in Southern California
1 day ago
Control the Glowing Apple Logo on Your New MacBook Pro
Control the Glowing Apple Logo on Your New MacBook Pro
1 day ago
Apple Shares New 'Apple Card: Apply and Use in Minutes' Ad
Apple Shares New 'Apple Card: Apply and Use in Minutes' Ad
2 days ago
Apple Says More Than 100,000 Apps Optimized for iPhone Duo, Here's What's Still Missing
Apple Says More Than 100,000 Apps Optimized for iPhone Duo, Here's What's Still Missing
2 days ago
Early Black Friday Deals Kickoff With Steep Discounts on Apple Watch Ultras and More
Early Black Friday Deals Kickoff With Steep Discounts on Apple Watch Ultras and More
2 days ago
The MacRumors Show: iOS 27.3 Looks Like a Huge Update
The MacRumors Show: iOS 27.3 Looks Like a Huge Update
2 days ago
Best Buy's Black Friday Event Begins With Sitewide Savings on Apple, TVs, More
Best Buy's Black Friday Event Begins With Sitewide Savings on Apple, TVs, More
2 days ago
Apple Releasing Yet Another Two New Products Next Week
Apple Releasing Yet Another Two New Products Next Week
2 days ago
MacBook Air Drops to Lowest Price in Months With Amazon's $250 Discount
MacBook Air Drops to Lowest Price in Months With Amazon's $250 Discount
2 days ago
Apple Rumored to Drop the iPhone's Action Button Next Year
Apple Rumored to Drop the iPhone's Action Button Next Year
2 days ago
Apple's Extended Return Policy Now in Effect for 2026 Holiday Season
Apple's Extended Return Policy Now in Effect for 2026 Holiday Season
2 days ago
Apple Music Classical Updated With New Icon and Refreshed Design
Apple Music Classical Updated With New Icon and Refreshed Design
2 days ago
OLED iPad Mini, M6 iMac, and New MacBook Pros Available From Today
OLED iPad Mini, M6 iMac, and New MacBook Pros Available From Today
2 days ago
Apple Surveys iPhone Duo Buyers About Crease and Camera
Apple Surveys iPhone Duo Buyers About Crease and Camera
2 days ago
Apple's First Touchscreen Mac is Now Arriving to Customers
Apple's First Touchscreen Mac is Now Arriving to Customers
2 days ago
Claude Gets Personal Finance Feature With Bank Account Linking
Claude Gets Personal Finance Feature With Bank Account Linking
2 days ago
Apple Arcade Adds Crossy Road Rush and NBA 2K27
Apple Arcade Adds Crossy Road Rush and NBA 2K27
2 days ago
Apple's New HomeView Smart Home Hub: Here's How Much RAM It Has
Apple's New HomeView Smart Home Hub: Here's How Much RAM It Has
2 days ago
iPad Mini vs. iPad Air Buyer's Guide: Now Just $50 Apart
iPad Mini vs. iPad Air Buyer's Guide: Now Just $50 Apart
2 days ago
First iOS 27.3 and macOS Golden Gate 27.3 Public Betas Now Available
First iOS 27.3 and macOS Golden Gate 27.3 Public Betas Now Available
3 days ago
Apple Announces a New Mac Sales Record
Apple Announces a New Mac Sales Record
3 days ago
Paid $200 for Logic Pro? Apple Says You Won't Get This New Feature
Paid $200 for Logic Pro? Apple Says You Won't Get This New Feature
3 days ago
Instagram's Edits Video Editor is Now Available on Mac
Instagram's Edits Video Editor is Now Available on Mac
3 days ago
Prevent Siri and Search From Accessing Specific iPhone Apps
Prevent Siri and Search From Accessing Specific iPhone Apps
3 days ago
Best Early Black Friday Deals on iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo
Best Early Black Friday Deals on iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo
3 days ago