In a chapter 13 plan, the basic plan treatment for non-priority unsecured claims (which include items such as medical bills, credit cards, many judgments) is to treat all such claims the same way. In some chapter 13 plans, this might mean paying nothing to each and every non-priority unsecured claim. Other times, each such claim might be paid the same percentage (either a fixed percentage or a percent calculated based on available funds). Oftentimes, this is a perfectly acceptable way to handle these claims. However, it will sometimes be desirable to adjust this treatment so that different general unsecured creditors are paid differently. In chapter 13 bankruptcy, this is the concept of special classification.
