What is debt management?

Debt management involves working with a nonprofit credit counseling agency to pay off your debt over the course of a specific time frame — typically three to five years. The process is fairly simple: Once you enroll in a program, you make one monthly payment to your agency, which then gets distributed to your various creditors.

Below, we’ve broken down everything you need to know about debt management so you can decide if it’s the right option for you.

How does it work?

A debt management program helps a consumer manage his or her unsecured debt. You simply make one monthly payment to the agency, and they disperse that payment to your various creditors, according to Katie Ross, Education, Development & Housing Manager at American Consumer Credit Counseling. Typically, credit counseling agencies can negotiate to get lower interest rates on one’s debts.

“The benefit of being in a debt management plan is that agencies like ours help people get back on financial track,” said Ross. “We can help them better their credit card debt by working with their creditors to reduce their interest rate and their payoff time.”

Credit counseling agencies typically offer financial education with their programs, which can help consumers avoid getting into debt again. “You’re getting ongoing counseling and you’re getting financial education to learn how to manage your money and stay on track,” Ross added.

Who is it useful for?

Debt management is typically a good decision for consumers who are ready to tackle their debt but don’t want to take on something as serious as debt settlement or bankruptcy.

Those who meet the following criteria might benefit from debt management:

• People who don’t want their credit score to suffer. If you have a decent credit score and you’d like to maintain it, you might want to consider debt management instead of debt settlement. Although closing credit cards as part of the program could impact your credit score, enrolling in a program itself has no impact, Ross said. Plus, maintaining your monthly payments will likely increase your score. In addition, many credit counseling agencies have agreements with credit card issuers that if a consumer is enrolled in a debt management program and sticks to it, they will not report negative information to the credit bureaus.
• People who won’t need any additional credit during this time. If you’re enrolled in a debt management program, you will likely not be able to open any new lines of credit. Ross adds that when someone enrolls in a debt management program, most creditors will typically put a notification that says “CC” on the consumer’s credit card. This tells any lender who might be looking to extend that person credit that they’re working with a credit counseling agency.
• People who want to learn about sustainable money habits. Debt management is particularly useful for people who want to learn about how they can improve their financial habits and avoid getting into debt again. Most programs come with financial education that can help you stay on track. “For most non-profit credit counseling agencies … a big part of the mission is to educate,” Ross noted. “So we provide lots of different resources — budgeting guides, spending plan information, ongoing phone support and counseling.”

How much does it cost?

The monthly fees associated with a debt management program are typically low. Ross said monthly fees are driven by state regulations (some have licensing requirements and some don’t) and therefore they vary.

Regardless of the state you live in, the fees should be minimal. “Make sure that the fees are reasonable and they’re not exorbitant, and there’s no hidden fees anywhere,” Ross said.

In addition, Ross said many credit counseling agencies will be willing to work with consumers who cannot afford enrollment fees. “If there’s a financial hardship, the agency needs to be willing to waive the fee or reduce a fee,” she said.

How long does it last?

Typically, a debt management program lasts from three to five years, according to Ross.

When should you use it?

There are a handful of scenarios in which pursuing a debt management program makes sense. If the following statements apply to you, you might want to consider it.

• You’re ready for change. If you’re ready to finally improve your financial habits, debt management could be for you. The educational resources provided can help you make meaningful changes to help you avoid getting into debt again.
• You’re looking to pay off debt without damaging your credit. Things like bankruptcy and debt settlement will damage your credit for years. But with debt management, you have the chance to maintain or even improve your credit score while repaying your debt.
• You want a streamlined strategy for paying off your debt. Debt management involves just one monthly payment, making the process simple and straightforward.

What to watch out for

If you’re interested in enrolling in a debt management program, Ross advises checking for the following things when looking for a credit counseling agency to work with:

• Nonprofit status. Make sure the organization you’re working with is a nonprofit.
• Time in business. Check to make sure the company has been in business for at least seven to 10 years.
• Membership status. Ross advises checking to see if the agency is part of a credit counseling association, such as the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) or the Financial Counseling Association of America (FCCA).
• Third-party accreditation. Make sure the agency is accredited by a third party.
• Complaints. Check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to make sure there are no complaints against the business.
• Other requirements. Ross said you should also check to make sure the agency is licensed or bonded where they need to be.
• Fees. As noted above, debt management plan fees should be reasonable and shouldn’t exceed $75 for enrollment and $50 per month.

What is debt settlement?

Debt settlement involves working with a for-profit company to have your debts negotiated. The idea is that by working with a debt settlement company, your debts will be negotiated to a lower amount and you’ll have less to pay.

Unfortunately, the debt settlement industry is rife with scams, and there’s no guarantee any of your debts will be settled. If you pursue this route, it’s imperative to do your due diligence. Read on for everything you need to know about debt settlement.

How does it work?

Consumers partner with a debt settlement company — sometimes referred to as a debt relief firm — who will attempt to negotiate the consumer’s unsecured debts to a lower amount. Each month, the consumer puts money in an account that is designed to pay off this negotiated amount once it is reached.

There is no guarantee that your debts will be negotiated, but if they are, it could be by as much as 50%.

You will likely need a minimum amount of debt to enroll in a debt settlement program. It depends on the firm, but minimum requirements are typically between $7,500 and $10,000.

Who is it useful for?

Debt settlement could be right for you if you have significant debt and you don’t anticipate being able to pay this debt off within a few years. It should be thought of as a last resort.

Those who meet any of the following criteria could consider debt settlement:

• People whose debt is too significant for debt management. Typically speaking, debt management is a much better method for paying off debt. But if your debt is too significant for debt management and bankruptcy isn’t an option, you could consider debt settlement.
• People whose primary concern isn’t their credit score. Debt settlement will have a major impact on your credit score, because you stop making your minimum monthly payments as part of the program. If your credit score is already poor and you think the benefit of getting out of debt outweighs the potential damage to your credit score, you could consider settlement.

How much does it cost?

Upfront costs vary with debt settlement. Some firms have no upfront costs at all. The primary form of payment is in program participation fees, as the firm will take a percentage of the total debt you’ve enrolled in the program.

How long does it last?

It varies, but typically debt settlement lasts for three years or longer. It depends on the total amount of debt enrolled in the program and how long the negotiation process takes. Some programs will advertise that it could take as little as six months, though this is not typically the case.

When should you use it?

Considering debt settlement? If any of the following statements applies to you, it could be worth considering.

• You have significant debt and not enough funds to pay it off. If you hold substantial debt (meaning upwards of $7,500) and don’t have the means to pay that debt off in a few years, debt settlement could be for you.
• Bankruptcy isn’t an option. If you don’t qualify for bankruptcy or don’t want to pursue bankruptcy yet you hold substantial debt, settlement could be worth considering.
• You want to get out of debt as quickly as possible even if it means your credit score will take a hit. Debt settlement will have a lasting negative impact on your credit score. If your desire to pay off your debt outweighs the potential ramifications to your credit score, then it might be an option worth considering.

What to watch out for

If you decide debt settlement is the right path for you, there are a handful of things you should be aware of:

• Collection agency calls could intensify. Most debt settlement companies ask participants to stop making their minimum monthly payments as part of the debt settlement process. This means you could be hit with even more collection calls and letters.
• Your credit score will suffer. If you do a debt settlement, your credit score will take a major hit. “As soon as you stop making your payments to your creditors, it’s going to get reported as a late payment,” Ross said. “Once you default altogether, your credit score is going to tank.”
• There’s no guarantee your debts will be settled. No debt settlement firm can promise that your debt will be negotiated.
• There are tax implications. If you enroll in a debt settlement program, you might still have to pay taxes on the full amount of debt before negotiation. Ross said laws vary on this from state to state.
• You can’t be forced to pay fees on debts that aren’t settled. Be aware that debt settlement companies cannot charge you fees for debt entered into the program that wasn’t settled.

The debt settlement industry is not regulated and therefore it is rife with scams. If you’re interested in partnering with a debt settlement company, it’s important to do your research and vet the company. Check with the BBB to make sure the company has no complaints filed against them. You can also check to see if complaints have been filed with the state’s attorney general’s office.

Should you use debt management or debt settlement?

It depends on your personal situation. If the debt you hold can be paid back in a reasonable time frame, you want to take a safe path, and you’re interested in learning about how to build healthy financial habits, debt management is likely the right decision for you.

However, if you hold an immense amount of debt, but bankruptcy is not in the cards, debt settlement could be worth considering.

Regardless of the path you choose, here are some steps to help get you started:

Next steps: Pursuing debt management

1. Find a nonprofit credit counseling agency to work with. You can consult the NFFC’s online database to find one in your area.
2. Vet the agency appropriately. Check how long they’ve been in business, whether they have any complaints filed against them and whether they have nonprofit status. If necessary, consult a handful of agencies to find the right one.
3. Get organized. Before you have a free consultation with the agency, get your finances in order so you know exactly how much debt you have.

Next steps: Pursuing debt settlement

1. Shop around. It’s wise to consult multiple debt settlement companies before getting started. Compare things like monthly fees and enrollment requirements.
2. Vet the company you select carefully. Check with the BBB to see if any complaints have been filed against the company you’re considering partnering with. You should also check to see how long they’ve been in business.
3. Get everything in writing. If you decide to move forward with a debt settlement company, make sure you have the details of your agreement in writing.