Nonprofit

Debt Relief

Certified

Get Unbiased Help Choosing the Best
Debt Relief Option

Through debt relief counseling, a certified nonprofit counselor will guide you through your financial situation, explain available debt relief options and debt relief programs, and help you choose the right repayment options. Access reliable debt help to reduce debt with a clear plan today. 

HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agency

NFCC Member

501(c)(3) Nonprofit

Debt Relief Counseling overview highlighting expert guidance, debt relief options, repayment plans, and financial confidence.
Why act now

Every day without a plan
adds more stress

Nonprofit debt relief counseling gives you unbiased guidance, a clear strategy, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have a plan.
  • Certified credit counselor reviewing a debt report and debt relief options.

    Get an Honest Assessment of Your Debt Situation

    Your certified counselor reviews all your debts, interest rates, and monthly obligations, giving you a clear, unbiased picture of your options without any sales pressure or hidden agenda.
  • Personalized debt relief plan with paths to debt management, budgeting, and creditor negotiation.

    Build a Personalized Plan That Actually Works

    Debt Management Programs, budgeting strategies, working directly with creditors, or referrals to other appropriate resources, your counselor designs a realistic plan tailored to your income and goals, not a one-size-fits-all template.
  • Debt relief counseling helps reduce financial stress and build confidence toward financial stability.

    Reduce Your Stress and Regain Peace of Mind

    Your counselor provides practical guidance, educational tools, and support to help reduce financial stress and give you greater confidence in your next steps.
Your journey

Step-by-Step

Debt Relief Counseling Process

  • Step 01

    Start with a Free, No-Obligation Debt Relief Counseling Session

    Speak one-on-one with a certified counselor to review your total debt, financial stressors, and goals. We'll explore relief options tailored to your specific situation.
  • Step 02

    Evaluate Your Income, Expenses, and Debt to Explore Relief Options

    We analyze your full financial picture, monthly income, living expenses, and debts, to identify the most effective and realistic path toward long-term debt relief.
  • Step 03

    Get a Customized Plan to Reduce or Eliminate Your Debt Faster

    Whether through a debt management plan or another method, we create a solution to reduce interest, consolidate payments, and help you establish a realistic path toward paying off your debt.
  • Step 04

    Gain Resources and Support to Stay Debt-Free and Financially Strong

    You'll receive tools to budget better, manage money wisely, and avoid future debt, so you stay in control and keep your financial life on a stable, stress-free path.
  • Find the Right Path to Debt Relief.

No Obligation

No Pressure

Tools & resources

Debt Relief

Tools & Resources

Practical calculators, comparison guides, and templates to help you
evaluate your options and take control of your debt.

Debt Relief Strategy Comparison Tool

Interactive side-by-side comparison of DMPs, debt consolidation, settlement, and bankruptcy — with real cost estimates and timeline projections for each path.
Interactive

Financial Tools and Resources

Access helpful financial tools and resources designed to support you as you manage debt, build healthier financial habits, and work toward greater financial stability.
Guide

Monthly Budgeting Worksheets

Printable worksheet that helps you audit every monthly expense category and identify realistic savings to redirect toward debt repayment.
Worksheet

Creadit Card Payoff  Calculator

Use our Credit Card Payoff Calculator to estimate how long it may take to pay off your credit card debt and see how different monthly payments can help you save on interest and become debt-free sooner.
Calculator
Relief option comparison

See Which Debt Payoff Option Works Best for You

Based on $15,000 in credit card debt. Click each option to compare real costs.
Illustrative example only. Actual interest rates, creditor concessions, program terms, fees, monthly payments and payoff periods vary based on individual circumstances and creditor participation.

Starting Point

If your current credit card debt is

…here's what happens depending on how you choose to pay it back.

$15,000

estimated total amount paid

Most Costly

Paying only the minimum balance, you'll end up paying

Nearly 3× your original debt — most of it interest.

$44,112

estimated total amount paid

365 months

Months to pay off
30+ years

$29,112

Interest accrued
extra cost

$44,112

Total paid
vs $15,000 owed

Better Option

With a personal loan (debt consolidation) you'll pay

Requires good credit to qualify for favorable terms.

$26,416

estimated total amount paid

60 months

Months to pay off
5 years

$11,416

Interest accrued
extra cost

$17,688

Potential savings vs minimum payments

Best Result

By enrolling in a Debt Management Program with Credit.org you'll pay

The most effective path — lowest total cost, same timeline as a loan.

$18,754

estimated total amount paid

60 months

Months to pay off
5 years

$3,754

Interest accrued
extra cost

$25,346

Potential savings vs minimum payments

Need Help Finding the Right Debt Relief Option?

Explore debt relief tools and resources or connect with a certified counselor for personalized guidance.

Financial tools

Explore reverse mortgage estimates with guidance

Use our educational calculator to better understand how home value, available equity, interest rates, and loan costs may affect a reverse mortgage estimate. These numbers are examples only and should be reviewed with a certified housing counselor.

  • Smart Retirement Planning

    See how a reverse mortgage could impact your long-term financial security and provide extra cash flow when you need it most.
  • Clear Financial Insights

    Understand how much equity you can access and how it could supplement your retirement income.
  • Personalized Loan Estimates

    Get a tailored breakdown of potential loan amounts, interest rates, and repayment scenarios based on your home's value.
Explore Educational Calculator

Always Free

No Obligation

Confidential

For Educational Guidance

  • Estimated Home Value

    Based on market data
$425,000
Sample estimate - actual values vary

Estimated Available Equity

~$210,000

Estimated Monthly Payment Option

~$1,050

Interest Rate Range

6.5% - 7.2%
These are sample estimates for illustration only. Speak with a certified counselor for accurate figures based on your situation.
Want personalized guidance?

Speak with a certified housing counselor to review your situation, questions, and next steps.

Common questions

Debt Relief FAQs

Quick answers to common questions about debt relief counseling.
What Is Debt Relief & How Does Counseling Help?

Debt relief starts with free debt counseling. Our certified counselors help assess your debt and build you a custom plan to put you in control.

Is Credit Counseling Different from Debt Relief?

The initial counseling session is free. Credit counseling looks broadly at your credit, budget and overall financial health, while debt counseling places greater emphasis on your debt obligations and repayment options. If a Debt Management Plan is recommended and you choose to enroll, applicable program fees will be fully explained before enrollment.

What Should I Bring to My First Counseling Session?

Bring your income, monthly expenses, and credit card balances so we can create a personalized action plan together.

What If I Don't Have Time for a Session Right Now?

That's okay! You can schedule a time that fits your day or reach out later when you're ready to take the first step.

How Is Debt Relief Different From Debt Settlement?

Debt relief through counseling focuses on sustainable, nonprofit strategies like debt management plans, budgeting, and creditor negotiation, not risky settlement companies that charge high fees and may damage your credit further.

Will Debt Relief Counseling Affect My Credit Score?

The counseling session itself has no impact on your credit. The actions you take afterward, like enrolling in a DMP or paying off debts, can have varying effects. Your counselor explains exactly what to expect before you commit to any plan.

Still have questions?

Speak with a certified counselor for personalized debt relief guidance.
Take the next step

Ready to reduce your

financial stress?

Speak with a certified counselor for personalized debt relief guidance. No judgment — just practical help from a nonprofit you can trust.

Private & confidential

Educational guidance

HUD-approved agency

No sales pressure

50,000+
People helped yearly
Trusted guidance from certified counselors
50+
Years of experience
Helping consumers make confident, informed decisions
4.9/5
Client satisfaction
Based on thousands of counseling sessions