Looking for Free Government Debt Relief Programs? 8 Alternatives To Try

DEBT HELP - DEBT RELIEF
Federal government debt relief programs don’t really exist, but there are other programs and strategies that can help you manage your balances.
Updated March 18, 2024
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When you’re drowning in debt, it can feel like there’s no way out. According to a 2022 study conducted by Northwestern Mutual, the average U.S. adult has more than $22,000 in personal debt, not including a mortgage. With that much debt and potentially high interest rates, your balances can grow over time and become difficult to pay off.

If you’re struggling with how to pay off debt from loans and credit cards, you may be curious about government debt relief programs. While there isn't a government debt relief program that targets credit cards or personal loans directly, there are some government programs that could help with other types of debt. And there are government programs that help with housing, utility bills, and medical care that could free up funds to pay off debt. 

Learn more about strategies and programs you can use to manage your debt.

In this article

Types of government debt relief

The government offers programs that assist with certain types of debt. Some of these programs run for a limited time, while others are ongoing.

Government debt relief for mortgages

The federal government has periodically made some level of mortgage assistance available during times of crisis. This isn’t necessarily debt relief, as mortgages aren’t usually forgiven as part of these programs. Instead, homeowners could get help with mortgage payments, a forbearance on their mortgage (a temporary break from paying), or mortgage modifications to make them more affordable depending on the terms of the program.

The most recent program was the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF), which was established as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The funds were distributed to states, U.S. territories, and Native American Indian tribes. Some areas may still have HAF assistance available.

To qualify, you must have experienced a financial hardship after January 21, 2020. You must meet certain income eligibility requirements as well.

Government debt relief for student loans

If you have federal student loan debt, you may be eligible for some form of loan forgiveness through the Department of Education. Here are three loan forgiveness options:

  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): If you work certain jobs, you may qualify for federal student debt forgiveness. For instance, if you work for a nonprofit organization or the government, you may qualify for PSLF. With PSLF, your loan balance is forgiven after you work for a qualifying employer for 10 years while making payments on your loans. The forgiven balance is not taxable as income.
  • Income-driven repayment (IDR) plan forgiveness: If you can’t afford your payments, you may be able to lower them by applying for an IDR plan. And after 20 to 25 years of making payments on your loans, the remaining balance is forgiven. However, the forgiven amount may be taxable as income. There are a few income-driven repayment plans, including the recently added Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan
  • Total and Permanent Disability Discharge: If you have a complete and permanent disability, you can qualify for loan discharge. If your loans are forgiven between Jan. 1, 2018, and Dec. 31, 2025, the remaining balance is not taxable as income.

Government debt relief for medical bills

The federal government doesn’t pay off or forgive medical debt directly. It does have programs like Medicaid to help with medical expenses. If you’re a veteran who has medical debt from the VA, you can apply for financial assistance with your copays.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) also requires nonprofit hospitals to provide free or discounted care. That information is required to be readily available and written in plain language. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has more information and resources about charity care.

8 alternatives to government debt relief

To find a debt relief program that best suits your needs, consider what kind of debt you have, how much cash flow you have, and how much you can realistically pay toward your balances each month. Once you have an idea of what you owe and how much you can afford, choose one of the following debt relief options:

1. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act

If you’re active-duty military, you could qualify for some help through the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). The SRCA offers some benefits and protections, such as reducing the interest rates on preexisting loans to 6% and limiting the collection activity agencies can do.

Taking advantage of the SCRA can reduce your interest rates when you’re deployed, making the payments more manageable and preventing the balance from ballooning over time.

To find out whether you qualify for assistance through the SCRA, contact your local Armed Forces legal assistance office.

Ask this company to pay off your credit card debt

If you have a lot of debt, getting out of it can feel stressful (and nearly impossible). Here’s the problem: the longer you put off tackling it, the harder it gets to fix. If you don’t take control of it early on, it can add undue stress to your life for years. But what if there was a way to get out of debt once and for all?

National Debt Relief could help. If you have more than $10,000 in debt from credit cards, medical bills, collections, or personal loans, their representatives might be able to assist you in consolidating your debt into one low monthly payment.

Best of all? There are zero fees until your debt is resolved, and you could be debt-free in 24-48 months. To get started, just answer a few simple questions. It only takes 30 seconds to see if you qualify!

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3. State or local programs

You may also be able to get debt relief assistance from state or local organizations. For example, some chapters of United Way can connect you with grants and loans to help you manage your debt, prevent you from falling behind on your payments, and allow you to stay in your home. Or, you can meet with local nonprofits that offer budget counseling and financial education classes to empower you to get back on your feet.

To find local agencies and services near you, call 2-1-1 or visit 211.org.

4. Balance transfers

If your balance isn’t too large — meaning you could reasonably afford to pay it off in a year or two — another option is to complete a balance transfer. With this approach, you transfer your credit card balance to another card with a lower APR. 

0% intro APR credit card offers 0% interest for a set introductory period, which gives you a year or more to pay off your debt without worrying about interest charges. 

For example, Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card cardholders can enjoy 0% intro APR for the first 15 months, then 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable) APR. A balance transfer fee applies, but you’ll have over a year to pay down your balance. 

With a 0% intro APR, the entirety of your payment goes toward the principal rather than interest. Taking advantage of a balance transfer can help you save money and pay off your debt faster.

If you decide to transfer a balance to a new card, come up with a plan to repay your debt as quickly as possible so you can pay off your balance before the introductory APR period ends. Focus on reducing your expenses and how to make extra cash to free up more money for payments.

5. Debt consolidation

If you need more time to pay down your debt, consider a debt consolidation loan. With this repayment strategy, you take out a personal loan for the amount of your existing credit card debt, medical bills, and other debt. You use the loan to pay off those balances. After that, you’ll have just one loan and one monthly payment.

Debt consolidation loans tend to have lower interest rates than credit cards. And you can have up to seven years to repay your loan, which makes the payments more affordable.

However, make sure you come up with a repayment plan before consolidating your debt. Otherwise, you won’t address the root cause of your debt issues, and the problem may get worse.

6. Private debt relief

If you need more intensive help with loan or credit card debt relief, consider working with a private credit counseling organization. Reputable organizations can help you negotiate with your creditors to lower your interest rates and waive fees. Credit counselors can help you create a debt management plan so you can pay off your balances within five years.

Most companies don’t charge upfront fees. However, there are many disreputable companies out there that charge high fees and encourage unscrupulous behavior, so make sure to do your homework before entering into an agreement with an organization. Look for a nonprofit credit counseling agency. 

7. Debt settlement

Another option is debt settlement. With this approach, you work with a debt relief company. Typically, you stop making payments on your debt, and the debt relief company works with your creditors to convince them to settle for a smaller lump-sum payment. If the creditor accepts the offer, you can pay just a fraction of the amount owed and end any collection activity.

However, debt settlement programs can be risky. Because you stop making payments, your credit score can be severely damaged. There’s no guarantee that the creditors will accept a settlement, and debt settlement companies tend to charge high fees.

8. Bankruptcy

If you’ve exhausted all of your other options and can’t get out of debt, declaring bankruptcy could be a potential solution. If you go this route and your request is approved by the court, your debt can be discharged, and your creditors can no longer pursue you for money.

There are two main forms of bankruptcy for consumers:

  • Chapter 7: All of your non-exempt assets are liquidated. You may be able to keep your car and work-related tools, but all other valuables are sold to satisfy your creditors.
  • Chapter 13: Under Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you may be able to keep your home and car. The court will approve a repayment plan that allows you to use your future income to pay down your debt rather than seizing your assets.

Although bankruptcy can satisfy your creditors, it should be viewed as a last resort. Court filing fees and attorney fees can be expensive. If approved, a bankruptcy can stay on your credit report for up to 10 years, making it hard for you to qualify for a loan or credit card or even get approved for an apartment.

Bankruptcy can be beneficial if you’ve been significantly impacted by unexpected expenses, such as medical bills. However, the process can be expensive and time-consuming, and it should only be done if you can’t find another way to pay down your debt.

How can the government protect against debt and debt collectors?

The government has put laws in place to help protect consumers from unfair or deceptive debt collectors.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) prohibits debt collectors from several actions, including:

  • Telling co-workers or friends that the consumer is in debt
  • Contacting consumers at unusual times
  • Abusing or harassing consumers
  • Threatening to have consumers arrested

The CFPB recommends keeping records of communications with debt collectors. It also has resources to help you with replying to debt collectors, negotiating with debt collectors, and more.

FAQ

Is there really a debt relief program from the government?

There is no federal government program that provides direct debt relief to consumers for credit card or medical debt. Student loans may be forgiven in certain circumstances, and veterans have access to certain benefits. 

There are also federal, state, and local programs to help people experiencing financial difficulties. They may not directly pay off your debt, but they could help cover grocery, utility, and medical bills, potentially freeing up funds to pay toward debt. 

For example, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, provides assistance with groceries. Medicaid provides very low cost medical care, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides health insurance to children. 

If you're experiencing financial difficulties, consider calling 2-1-1 or visiting 211.org to see what assistance you might qualify for. Benefits.gov is also a good resource. 

Is government debt relief real?

In general, the government can’t help pay off your debt directly. It provides protections from unfair debt collection, assistance with medical expenses, and other assistance programs that help with utility bills, food bills, and more.

In certain circumstances, you may also be able to have your debts discharged or reorganized if you qualify for bankruptcy.

What is the difference between a debt settlement and debt relief?

Debt settlement refers to when you settle, or pay off, a debt for less than you owe. Debt relief typically refers to forgiveness of your debt, but it could also refer to temporarily not paying your debt.

What qualifies you for debt relief?

Debt relief is typically based on income. The best way to find out if you qualify for a debt relief program is to apply. 

Most programs will require information about your income, so be prepared with documentation such as bank statements and pay stubs. The exact requirements vary by program — be sure to research potential programs to confirm they’re legitimate.

Is there a federal credit card debt relief program?

There is no federal credit card debt relief program. If you're struggling with credit card debt, consider options like transferring your balance to a card with a 0% intro APR if you qualify, paying off your cards with a personal loan, working with a nonprofit credit counseling agency, or working with a debt settlement company. 

Depending on your circumstances, you may also consider filing for bankruptcy. 

Can I get a debt consolidation loan from the government?

You may be able to get a consolidation loan for your federal student loan debt. Other types of debt, like credit cards, aren't eligible for government consolidation loans. 

Bottom line

If you’re struggling with credit card balances or student loans, you may be hoping that there are government relief programs that can help. While there are some limited options, you should also come up with a debt repayment strategy on your own or work with an accredited credit counseling agency to develop a plan that works for you and your finances.

National Debt Relief Benefits

  • No upfront fees
  • One-on-one evaluation with a debt counseling expert
  • For people with $7,500 in unsecured debts and up

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