I have been making payments on a consolidated student loan, and I make good money. I have enough student loans to equal some people's mortgage payment (and yes, I have one of those too!)

The problem is, my husband has been out of work for almost a year, (he's done some temp work and that kind of thing, but nothing significant), so everything is currently on me as far as the finances are concerned. I'm worried that they will decline me based on my income, but the truth is that we are struggling at the moment. It seems everyone gets approved for a forbearance, but I'm trying to anticipate worst case scenario. Has anyone ever encountered a situation where they've been turned down? If so, were you able to persuade them to change their mind? If so, how?

Lets make sure that you have your termiology correct. There are deferments and forebearances. Deferments are standard and include ecomonic hardship. They are easy to get. You are entitled to them if you meet the conditions. Forebearances are administrative and discretionary. They do not have to grant these to you, but most often they do. You should always apply for deferment first.

I don't think a deferment is available to me because I would not qualify (I know I wouldn't qualify under the Economic Hardship option, and the others do not apply to me). I used the temporary hardship elecction for the forbearance. So yes, I am talking about a forbearance.