Are there programs to help pay off debt?
Daniel Santos
Updated on February 07, 2026
There are two main types of debt assistance programs: Debt reduction service – These types of debt assistance programs negotiate with creditors to try to get them to accept a “settlement” to reduce the total amount of your debt. This is nearly a last resort option, short of filing for bankruptcy.
How can I pay off 5000 in debt fast?
Pay your smallest balance first. This can help you stay motivated with quick wins as you may pay off the smaller balances faster. Pay the most toward the debt with the smallest balance. Be sure to pay at least the minimum due each month on all other debt. Then, repeat this process until you are debt free.
What happens if you Cannot pay debt?
So here’s what you can expect if you don’t pay your debts: Your debt will go to a collection agency. Debt collectors will contact you. Your credit history and score will be affected.
How does paying off debt help you get out of debt?
Continue the process until all your debts are paid. Every time you pay off an account, you’ll free up more money each month to put towards the next debt. And since you’re tackling your debts in order of interest rate, you’ll pay less overall and get out of debt faster. Like an avalanche, it might take a while before you see anything happen.
Why does it take so long to pay off revolving debt?
The reason revolving debt can be so overwhelming is because credit card interest rates are typically really high. So, if you’re just making the minimum payment each month, it will take you a long time to pay off your balance — possibly decades. During that time, you’ll also pay a lot of interest.
What’s the best way to pay off student loans?
Once the student loan is paid off, take the money you’ve been paying toward other debts and add it to your payments for the auto loan. So, you’ll end up paying off your accounts in this order: The debt avalanche will help you pay less in interest and will get you out of debt more quickly.
How long does it take to pay off credit card debt?
If you make only the minimum payment on that bill each month, it could take you almost 16 years to pay off your debt — and cost you nearly $7,000 extra in interest (depending on the terms of your agreement). 6 Ways to Pay Off Debt on Multiple Cards Ready to pay off your debt? The first step is to create a debt payoff plan.