Break Free from Credit Card Debt Without Borrowing More Money
Credit Card Debt help via Free nonprofit credit counseling can help you understand your options and determine whether a Debt Management Program could lower your interest rates and simplify your monthly payments.
Free Consultation • No New Loan • No Obligation to Enroll
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Credit Card Debt Help: Payoff Calculator
Enter your total credit card balance, then interest rate. And finally your monthly payment to see how long it may take to pay off.
Getting Credit Card Debt Help Is Simple
Tell Us About Your Debt
First, review your credit card balances, interest rates, monthly payments, income and household expenses with a certified credit counselor.
Review Your Options
Next, we can help you compare paying the debt yourself, creditor hardship assistance, a consolidation loan and a Debt Management Program.
Choose What Works for You
Finally, if a Debt Management Program makes sense, you can review estimated creditor terms, payment information and a projected payoff timeline before deciding whether to enroll.
Compare Your Credit Card Debt Help Options
There are several ways to deal with credit card debt. Therefore, comparing how each option works can help you decide which approach may fit your financial situation.
| Feature | DIY Payoff | Consolidation Loan | Debt Management Program | Debt Settlement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New loan required? | No | Yes | No | No |
| Repay full balance? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Usually no |
| May reduce interest rates? | No | Potentially | Potentially | Not applicable |
| One monthly payment? | No | Yes | Yes | Varies |
| Credit cards generally closed? | No | No | Yes, enrolled accounts | Often become delinquent |
| Credit counseling included? | No | No | Yes | No |
| Designed to repay debt? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Designed to settle for less |
| Credit score requirement? | None | Depends on lender | None | None |
Swipe left or right to compare options. The Feature column and top row will stay visible.
Do I Need Credit Counseling?
High interest rates and minimum payments can make it difficult to determine whether your repayment strategy is working. Therefore, take this quick quiz to see whether speaking with a credit counselor may be a useful next step.
Credit Card Debt Help Through Counseling & Debt Management
Additionally, DebtWave offers nonprofit services designed to help you better understand your finances and develop a realistic strategy for repaying credit card debt.
Free Credit Counseling
Review your income, expenses, balances, interest rates and monthly payments with a certified credit counselor. In addition, you'll receive information about repayment options that may fit your situation.
Learn About Credit Counseling →Debt Management Program
A Debt Management Program may help eligible consumers simplify repayment and receive reduced interest rates from participating creditors. However, available terms depend on your individual creditors and accounts.
Learn About Debt Management →Free Credit Card Debt Help Tools
Before choosing your next step, use these free financial calculators to better understand your debt, monthly cash flow and overall financial health.
Credit Card Payoff
Estimate how long your current credit card balance could take to repay based on your APR and monthly payment.
Use Payoff CalculatorDebt-to-Income Ratio
Calculate how much of your monthly income goes toward debt payments and better understand your current debt-to-income ratio.
Calculate My DTINet Worth Calculator
Compare your assets and liabilities to calculate your net worth and establish a starting point for future financial goals.
Calculate My Net WorthCredit Card Debt Help & Financial Education Resources
Getting out of debt is important. In addition, developing stronger financial habits can help you make progress toward longer-term goals.
Credit Coaching
Learn practical strategies for understanding your credit report and identifying steps that may help you strengthen your credit profile over time.
Financial Education
Explore free educational resources covering budgeting, saving, managing debt, credit and other important personal finance topics.
Smart With Your Money
Build practical knowledge around budgeting, financial goals, credit usage, net worth and long-term financial planning.
Find Credit Card Debt Help From Your Creditor or Lender
For example, search for your credit card company or lender to learn about hardship programs, payment assistance options and how nonprofit credit counseling may help.
American Express
Avant
Bank of America
Barclays
Best Buy
Capital One
CareCredit
Chase
Citi
Comenity
Credit One
Discover
Macy's
Navy Federal
OneMain
SoFi
Synchrony
Target
USAA
Wells Fargo
DebtWave works with many participating creditors. Contact us to find out what options may be available for your accounts.
Don't See Your Credit Card Company?
DebtWave works with many participating creditors. Therefore, a free credit counseling session can help determine what options may be available for your accounts.
Get a Free Credit Counseling SessionBuild Stronger Financial Habits
Meanwhile, paying off debt is one part of financial wellness. In addition, small changes in everyday money habits can help you build a stronger financial foundation.
Pay Bills on Time
Create a reliable system for due dates and payments so important bills are easier to manage.
Build Emergency Savings
Even a small emergency fund can reduce the need to rely on credit cards when unexpected expenses occur.
Plan for Your Future
Afterward, focus on longer-term goals such as savings, retirement, major purchases and increasing your net worth.
Popular Credit Card Debt Help Articles
In addition, explore practical information about credit counseling, paying off debt, increasing income and understanding how counseling may affect your credit.
Benefits of a Financial Analysis With a Credit Counselor
Learn how reviewing your finances with a credit counselor can help you better understand your debt, budget and repayment options.
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How Credit Counseling Helped Pay Off $12,000 in Credit Card Debt
See how one consumer used credit counseling and a structured repayment strategy to make progress toward becoming debt-free.
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7 Ways to Increase Your Monthly Income
Explore practical ways to bring in additional income and create more room in your monthly budget for debt repayment and financial goals.
Read More →
Will Credit Counseling Hurt My Credit?
Understand how credit counseling differs from other debt-relief options and what may happen to your credit during the process.
Read More →Find Credit Card Debt Help in Your State
Next, select your state to learn more about credit counseling, Debt Management Programs and options for getting help with credit card debt.
DebtWave helps consumers across the country explore options for credit card debt. Availability of specific Debt Management Program services varies by state. If DebtWave cannot directly provide a service in your state, we may be able to connect you with another agency that can help.
View DebtWave State Licensing Information →Credit Card Debt Help & Counseling FAQs
Is credit counseling really free?
Yes. DebtWave offers a free initial credit counseling session to help you review your credit card debt, monthly payments, interest rates, income and household expenses. Additionally, DebtWave will share your credit score with your. There is no obligation to enroll in a Debt Management Program simply because you speak with a counselor.
What happens during a credit counseling session?
During your session, a certified credit counselor will review your overall financial situation, including income, expenses, credit card balances, interest rates and monthly payments. Afterward, you can review repayment approaches that may fit your circumstances.
Do I have to be behind on my credit card payments to get help?
No. In fact, many people seek help while their accounts are still current because interest charges are consuming too much of their payments or their balances are barely decreasing. You do not need to wait until you miss payments to explore your options.
Credit Card Debt Help: Debt Management Program Questions
What is a Debt Management Program?
A Debt Management Program, or DMP, is a structured repayment plan designed to help consumers pay off eligible unsecured debts such as credit cards. Potential benefits may include reduced creditor interest rates and one consolidated monthly program payment. However, creditor terms vary.
How much credit card debt do I need before contacting DebtWave?
There is no specific amount of debt required to receive credit counseling. However, for a Debt Management Program, DebtWave generally recommends having at least $7,500 in eligible debt so that potential interest savings may be meaningful. The better question is whether your current repayment strategy is reducing your balances at a reasonable pace.
Does a Debt Management Program require a new loan?
No. A Debt Management Program is not a consolidation loan. Instead, it is a structured repayment arrangement for eligible debts. DebtWave does not lend money.
Credit Card Debt Help: Credit Scores & Debt Settlement
Will credit counseling hurt my credit score?
Speaking with a credit counselor does not by itself lower your credit score. However, actions you choose after counseling can affect your credit differently. For example, accounts included in a Debt Management Program are generally closed, and lenders may report that the account is being repaid through a credit counseling program.
Is credit counseling the same as debt settlement?
No. On the contrary, a Debt Management Program is generally designed to repay enrolled creditor balances in full under modified terms. Debt settlement, on the other hand, generally involves attempting to settle balances for less than the amount owed and can involve allowing accounts to become delinquent.
How do I get started with DebtWave?
You can begin online or speak with a credit counselor by phone. The initial credit counseling session is free, and you can review your options before deciding whether you want to enroll in a Debt Management Program.
Independent Credit Card Debt Resources
Finally, for additional information about dealing with debt and credit counseling, you can also review consumer education from the Federal Trade Commission and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
FTC: How to Get Out of Debt | CFPB: What Is Credit Counseling?
Ready to Get Credit Card Debt Help?
You don't have to borrow more money to understand your options. Instead, a free credit counseling session can help you review your debt, budget and potential repayment strategies before deciding what to do next.
*Historical Debt Management Program completion rate is based on DebtWave clients enrolled from 2016–2020. Of 14,670 enrolled clients, 10,038 successfully completed their program. Historical results do not guarantee future outcomes. Creditor terms, interest rates, payment reductions and program eligibility vary by creditor and individual account.