I guess you could try talking to a loan officer/manager and try to get your credit score to work for you.
Couple years ago, I was working at a large airline but foresaw some possible visa issuance delays coming up (it was cap-related, not about me staying illegally or such if anyone cares). I went to a bank and straight up told the loan manager my situation, that I may not have pay for a few months starting about two months later, and that I wanted a personal loan while I had employment as a "just in case". He approved me for $6k @ 5.6% right there. But at the time, I was still employed and had my employment certification and such with me in my bag. Guess it's worth a try.
EDIT: But not with Chase. Use a lender that hasn't already extended you credit, so nothing can backfire on you. Lol.
Starting Scores: No Scores (03/2018)
I don't think they would approve a new card with no income.
I also think they would take away your credit with them.
Don't risk it.
As mentioned, your priority right now is to secure employment. But I'm sure you're well aware of that so I'll stop here.
Have you thought about asking any existing lenders for a 0% APR offer? If they ask you can just say you have some big expenses coming and you'd rather pay in installments instead of a lump sum. This gives you the freedom to make just the minimum payments every month for a certain period while not having to pile on ridiculous interest that will set you back who knows how much.
I think applying for new credit at this point is a very bad idea. But if you must apply for new credit, then ONLY go for cards that offer a 0% promo APR. As others have mentioned though, your chances of approval are probably 0 at this point.
@Anonymous wrote:
I am debating whether I should apply for a new card or not. I recently left my job and have no income at the moment. I just got out of 5/24 hell and am looking to get a new chase card!! Scores are between 800-815 depending on bureau. Total CL is 67,000 and 19000 of that is on my chase freedom. I have a small checking account with chase but the rest of my money is with another bank. I’m fearful that if I apply with no income that I won’t only be denied, chase might be spooked by their 19k exposure to me and lower the CL. Does anyone have any experience with this? I’ve been with chase for about 2 years and depth of credit is 10 years with AoA of 4, utilization is <2%. Thanks!
First... A very warm welcome to the myFICO community!
And second... I think you already know what to do and that you’re just looking for some type of validation to your action.
We will not lecture you nor judge you but instead wish you nothing but the best in however dire the situation you’re in.
I was just just in a client’s office today and in their main reception hangs a large portrait that reads, “The Best wirelss communication is Prayer”....
Godspeed my brother/sister. 
@CreditInspired wrote:@igglefan wrote:
Thank you all for the advice and concern. Unfortunately I have been without a job since February and have run out of savings. I am looking toward a new card to benefit from the signup bonuses since I am going to have to start putting living expenses on credit. Might as well be earning more on my spend if I am going to be paying the interest anyway, no? Is it definitely an auto denial? I’ve got good credit and good relationships with the banks I’ve done business with. I would think they’d jump at the chance to make some interest $ off me for once!
These 3 statements alone scare the dickens out of me and should scare you too.
You're already contemplating additional, albeit necessary debt on your credit cards without a clear way of paying off the debt.
Please change your mindset about "paying interest anyway." This is where most people are in over their head -- paying interest. Whyt? The principal just seems to never go down.
No lender is going to jump for joy because someone is paying interest. Why? no income, no payment, no profit for lender!
This is a very slippery slope you're considering and like everyone here has intimated, it's just not a good idea to apply for credit when one doesn't have income coming in. Remember, even people with incomes, can and do, get into debt way over their head -- and very quickly too.
And IMHO, I do believe the moment you apply for a CC or CLI and put $0 income, it will create a domino effect. AA will happen swiftly.
But, kudos to you for putting this question to the MyFICO forum before going ahead and taking the plunge. This way, you have the reasons, suggestions, and recommendations to make a sound decision for you.
GL2U
Re: the part in red. I'd like to post this infographic except it doesn't even come close to meeting FSR standards, so I'll just link it instead: http://cdn-www.cracked.com/articleimages/wong/topics/creditcardhead5.jpg
@CreditInspired wrote:
@arkaneAll I can say is WOW! More people need to read this link. Even in what may seem absurd, it is just so true. You just never, ever pay the loan off when just making minimum payments.
Fully agree. At 20%+? Best thing is never to be indebted at that APR, next best is to throw everything you have at getting rid of it or transferring the balance to something below 10% (and then throwing everything you have at it). Pay it off like a rabid dog is coming after you.
I previously had a $10k credit card balance that I was paying off at 8% monthly, but since I was also actively using it, the balance just wasn't shrinking, for years, and I was just paying 20% APR on $9k+ every single month. It's so dumb how I took so long to actually run the numbers and realize my stupidity. After getting that card to zero, I closed it out of sheer disgust. Used to get free oil changes, 16-point checkups, discounted movie tickets and such as benefits, but whatever.