Guide · Feb 17, 2024
Where Can I Get Free Help Paying Off Credit Card Debt?
Free and low-cost help exists. The trick is knowing which offers are real.
By Michael Gonzales · Last updated
Short answer: Start with your card issuer's hardship program and a nonprofit credit counselor. Both are free or nearly free. Counselors can set up a debt management plan that lowers your interest rates. Be cautious with for-profit debt relief companies, and never pay fees upfront.
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Where to turn first
- Your card issuer. Call the number on the back of the card and ask about hardship programs: temporary rate cuts, lower payments or fee waivers.
- A nonprofit credit counselor. A free session reviews your budget and options. Look for agencies affiliated with the NFCC or on the U.S. Trustee Program's approved list.
- Legal aid. If you're being sued, Legal Services Corporation can point you to free help.
What a debt management plan does
You make one monthly payment to the agency, which pays your cards. Issuers often lower APRs and waive fees in exchange, and the plan typically lasts 3–5 years. Enrolled cards are usually closed.
Red flags
The FTC says it's illegal for debt relief companies to collect fees before they settle a debt, and warns against anyone who:
- promises to make your debt disappear,
- tells you to stop talking to your creditors, or
- tells you to stop paying without explaining the damage.
Report suspicious offers at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Sources
- FTC, How to get out of debt
- FTC, Credit card debt relief that isn't
- NFCC, find a nonprofit credit counselor
- U.S. Trustee Program, approved credit counseling agencies
- Legal Services Corporation, find free legal aid
Last reviewed October 12, 2026. This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is credit counseling free?
The first counseling session is usually free at nonprofit agencies. Debt management plans often carry a small monthly fee, sometimes waived for hardship.
Will a debt management plan hurt my credit?
Enrolling isn't itself a negative mark, but closing cards can raise utilization at first. On-time plan payments help over time.
How do I know a credit counselor is legitimate?
Check for nonprofit status, NFCC membership or U.S. Trustee approval, and clear written fees. Avoid anyone who asks for large upfront payments.
Written by
Michael Gonzales
Founder & Editor
Michael Gonzales is the founder of Cloudalien Technologies LLC, the company that owns DebtHaus. DebtHaus is not a lender, broker, settlement company or law firm.