why would a hardship withdrawal be denied 
a hardship withdrawal might be denied if your plan doesn t allow withdrawals for that reason rules for withdrawals vary from plan to plan can you do a hardship withdrawal to pay off debt according to the irs paying down debt does not qualify for a hardship withdrawal 1the bottom linehardship withdrawals can provide needed funds in an emergency without a credit check but they should be used very sparingly and only if all other alternatives have been tried or dismissed by exposing funds held in a tax advantaged account to income tax a hardship withdrawal is likely to boost your tax bill for the year it will also permanently deprive you of funds targeted for your retirement that s why you should consider a hardship withdrawal only as a last resort to meet an exceptional and pressing need 