A loan workout is a series of steps taken by a lender with a borrower to resolve the problem of delinquent loan payments. Steps can include rescheduling loan payments into lower installments over a longer period of time so that the entire outstanding principal is eventually repaid. One of the items lenders often ask for during the loan workout or loan modification process is a hardship letter. A hardship letter is a written explanation as to what has caused you to fall behind on your mortgage. Some of the hardships that that lenders consider during the loan workout process are the following: Illness; Loss of Job; Reduced Income; Failed Business; Job Relocation; Death of Spouse or Co-Borrower; Incarceration; Divorce; Military Duty; and Damage to Property (e.g., natural disaster or fire).