If allowed by the plan document, a Hardship withdrawal may be made from a participant’s vested account balance due to an immediate and heavy financial need of a participant (as defined by the Internal Revenue Service) and that cannot be satisfied by other available resources. Hardship withdrawals can not be repaid to the plan and have very strict circumstances under which they will be granted to the participant by the plan trustee(s). Tax implications apply as well as a one year restriction on participant deferrals from the date of the withdrawal. (See FAQ).