What is a debt relief program and how do I know if I should use one? | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (2024)

FAQs

What is a debt relief program? ›

Debt relief or settlement companies are companies that say they can renegotiate, settle, or in some way change the terms of a person's debt to a creditor or debt collector.

Cons of debt settlement

Creditors are not legally required to settle for less than you owe. Stopping payments on your bills (as most debt relief companies suggest) will damage your credit score. Debt settlement companies can charge fees. If over $600 is settled, the IRS will view this debt as a taxable income.

If you're juggling multiple high-interest debts, such as credit cards, personal loans or medical bills, it might be time to consider a debt relief program.

Debt relief will also often give you a fixed payment plan and a set payoff date, which can also make it worth considering — as streamlining your payments can make it easier to manage while helping you save money on interest. "One of the biggest advantages of going through a debt relief program is the savings.

Debt relief through a debt management plan

A debt management plan allows you to pay your unsecured debts — typically credit cards — in full, but often at a reduced interest rate or with fees waived. You make a single payment each month to a credit counseling agency, which distributes it among your creditors.

National Debt Relief, by law, doesn't charge any upfront fees of its own. 1 You'll get a free consultation, and if you decide to proceed, National Debt Relief will set you up with an FDIC-insured savings account from a third party, which often comes with a setup fee and recurring monthly fees.

Debt relief services may have a negative impact on your credit score, but that impact may not be as big as you think — and in some cases, it can help your credit. How these services impact your credit depends on the debt relief option you choose.

You can't make any new charges on your existing accounts or get new credit cards until you complete the program. But you can get out of debt faster with total payments that are up to 50 percent less. It's also important to note that your credit counselors will help you set up a new budget when you enroll.

Does debt relief need to be paid back? ›

Under the terms of a debt management plan, while you may receive more favorable interest rates or relief from fees, you still repay the entire principal amount owed.

You should be able to get a DRO if all of the following apply: you're unable to pay your debts. your qualifying debts are not more than £30,000 - or £50,000 or less from 28 June 2024. you've got no more than £75 left over each month after you've paid your usual household expenses.

How Long After a Debt Settlement Can You Buy a House? There's no set timeline for how long it takes to get a mortgage after debt settlement. Your ability to qualify for a mortgage will depend on how well you meet the lender's requirements on the issues raised above (credit score, DTI, employment and down payment).

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a government-sponsored program for credit card debt relief. In fact, if you receive a solicitation that touts a government program to get you out of debt, you may want to think twice about working with that company.

Debt settlement can eliminate outstanding obligations, but it can negatively impact your credit score. Stronger credit scores may be more significantly impacted by a debt settlement. The best type of debt to settle is a single large obligation that is one to three years past due.

Under the terms of a debt management plan, while you may receive more favorable interest rates or relief from fees, you still repay the entire principal amount owed.

How do I know if I am eligible for debt relief? To be eligible, your annual income must have fallen below $125,000 (for individuals) or $250,000 (for married couples or heads of households). If you received a Pell Grant in college and meet the income threshold, you will be eligible for up to $20,000 in debt relief.

Using debt settlement options to reduce debt comes with several risks, including late payments on your credit report, potential charge-offs, settlement company fees, tax implications on forgiven balances, possible scams and the overall risk of settlement offers not working.