Is national debt relief worth it? (2024)

Is national debt relief worth it?

National Debt Relief boasts an average savings of 25% (after fees) for clients who complete a settlement program, and has extensive positive reviews online. However, the debt settlement process has several potential pitfalls, and there may be other solutions better suited to your needs.

Is national debt relief a good choice?

Yes, National Debt Relief is a legitimate company accredited by the Better Business Bureau and currently holds an A+ rating. It also has IAPDA (International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators) accreditations for all of its arbitrators and an AFCC (American Fair Credit Council) membership.

What credit score do you need for national debt relief?

First, National Debt Relief reviews your credit history to make sure you're eligible. There is no minimum credit score requirement, but keep in mind NDR can only settle unsecured debt like credit cards or personal loans.

Is debt relief program legit?

Some debt relief companies are scams, and even the legit ones are risky and expensive. Some creditors refuse to work with debt relief companies, and even when it's successful, debt relief can do major harm to your credit and raise your income tax bill.

Do I get my money back if I cancel national debt relief?

For example, the National Debt Relief allows you to cancel the program at any time if they're unable to settle the debt or you aren't satisfied with their services. You won't be charged any penalties or cancellation fees, and you'll have your money back.

What is the downside of national debt relief?

Payment history accounts for 35% of your FICO credit score, so enrolling in a plan with National Debt Relief could negatively impact your credit rating. The extent of that impact, however, depends on whether you're still current on your bills or not.

How bad does national debt relief hurt your credit?

Risks of debt settlement

Your credit scores are likely to take a significant hit, especially if you were not already delinquent on those accounts, and the negative marks will continue until/unless a settlement is reached.

How long does debt relief stay on your credit report?

As with most other negative credit report entries, settled accounts stay on your credit reports for seven years.

Can I apply for a credit card while in a debt relief program?

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 give you a loan?

Debt relief refers to a variety of solutions designed to help make your payments more affordable so that you can ultimately become debt-free. It might include a replacement loan that lowers your interest rate or modifies your repayment term, or you may even see a reduction of the total amount you owe.

Can I still use my credit card after debt settlement?

Can You Use Credit Cards After They've Been Consolidated? When you consolidate credit card debt, sometimes creditors will allow you to keep the accounts open. If this is the case, your credit won't be impacted as harshly, but it's still best to stop using them for a while.

How long does national debt relief take to settle?

National Debt Relief negotiates with creditors to reduce the amount of debt you owe. The program usually takes 24 to 48 months to complete, depending on your debt and ability to save. Customers have access to an online portal to approve settlements and monitor their progress.

Can I buy a house after debt settlement?

Yes, you can buy a home after debt settlement. You'll just have to meet the lender's requirements to qualify for a mortgage. Unfortunately, that could be harder after you settle debt.

Is national debt relief a form of bankruptcies?

Bankruptcy is a legal path where you file in court and work with a trustee to discharge or pay back some debts. Debt relief includes various programs or plans to get you out of debt without declaring bankruptcy. Either path can be right for you, but it is important to understand debt relief's pros and cons.

What happens if I drop out of a debt relief program?

You might not finish the whole program.

If that happens, you're out the fees you paid the debt settlement company for any debts they've already settled, you will still owe any debts that haven't been settled yet, and your credit report probably shows late payments which can hurt your credit.

Why is debt relief bad?

Debt settlement companies often charge expensive fees. Debt settlement companies typically encourage you to stop paying your credit card bills. If you stop paying your bills, you will usually incur late fees, penalty interest and other charges, and creditors will likely step up their collection efforts against you.

Does debt relief affect your taxes?

Debt Settlement Tax Consequences

The IRS considers any debt cancelation of $600 or more as additional income — and taxable — even if you didn't actually receive any money.

Is it better to settle credit card debt or pay in full?

Is it better to settle debt or pay in full? Paying debt in full is almost always the better option when possible. Research debt payment strategies — debt consolidation could be a good option — and consider getting financial counseling.

How to get out of $10,000 credit card debt?

Does the government have credit card debt forgiveness?

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.

What is an advantage of debt relief?

The interest-free period means your whole payment goes to reducing the balance, making faster progress. Or you may find a debt consolidation loan with a lower interest rate than you're paying now. Those options won't hurt your credit; as long as you make the payments, your credit score should rebound.

Do I have to close my credit cards with a debt consolidation loan?

Do you have to close credit cards after debt consolidation? The short answer is 'no'. Your credit card balance should go down to zero, but your card should remain active and open. If you'd like to close your account at that point, then you can, but there might be benefits to keeping your cards open.

How much do you get paid for national debt relief?

As of Jan 31, 2024, the average hourly pay for a National Debt Relief in the United States is $19.94 an hour.

What happens a year after a debt relief order?

Your DRO will end 12 months after the date it was approved. The 12 months of the DRO are known as the 'moratorium'. During this time you don't make any payments towards the debts included in your DRO and your creditors can't chase you for them.

What is the success rate of debt settlement?

Completion rates vary between companies depending upon a number of factors, including client qualification requirements, quality of client services and the ability to meet client expectations regarding final settlement of their debts. Completion rates range from 35% to 60%, with the average around 45% to 50%.