Credit card delinquencies are climbing the fastest in these states, and how to deal with the debt

After an election in which household budgets were a major issue, it is not surprising that more Americans are struggling to keep up with debt payments. A new analysis supports that trend, showing that credit card delinquency rates are rising in every state.

Here’s what the numbers show:

To identify where delinquencies are increasing the fastest, WalletHub researchers compared credit card delinquency rates from the first and second quarters of 2026. No state had a delinquency rate below 20%, and Mississippi had the highest rate in the second quarter, with 51.61% of credit cards delinquent.

Vermont posted the largest percentage increase in delinquencies, even though it has the third-lowest overall delinquency share in the country. WalletHub also said Vermont ranks 10th among states adding the most new debt.

More background:

WalletHub said the figures were based on proprietary user data on consumer delinquency, though the company did not provide additional details about the data set.

What experts say:

WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo warned that leaving credit card debt delinquent for too long can seriously hurt a person’s credit score. He said catching up quickly matters, especially within the first month.

“The good news is that if you manage to get current before 30 days have passed, your delinquency will not be reported to the credit bureaus,” Lupo said. “If you’ve been delinquent for a significant period of time, there are other strategies you can pursue in order to get back on track, such as hardship programs, strategic budgeting, and consolidating debt.”

How to get back on track

The Federal Trade Commission says people who have fallen behind on credit card payments should contact their creditors directly. The agency notes that this can be done without hiring a third-party company.

When reaching out, borrowers should ask whether a lower interest rate is possible and propose a payment plan they can afford. They should also keep notes on what is discussed, what steps come next, and get the agreement in writing.

The Source: Information for this article came from WalletHub and the Federal Trade Commission. This story was reported from Orlando, Florida.