Spouses and partners will finally get credit for having access to their family’s income stream. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 16 million married Americans do not work outside the home, and anyone who is part of that statistic knows it’s hard, if not impossible, to get a credit card in their own name. Now stay-at-home spouses and partners can qualify for credit cards under the umbrella of the family breadwinner.  The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) first proposed this idea in the fall of 2012, and after reviewing it will put it into effect.  Credit card companies will have six months to comply.

How it works

A stay-at-home spouse who is over 21 can apply and  ask a credit card company to consider a spouse or partner’s credit and income. “Stay-at-home spouses or partners who have access to resources that allow them to make payments on a credit card can now get their own cards,” said CFPB Director Richard Cordray.

 

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