Frequently Asked Questions

Speaking with a Credit and Debt Advisor, budget reviews, and credit guidance are always free. If you enroll in our Debt Management Program, fees are modest and sliding-scale. In 2025, the average monthly fee was $28, and the average one-time enrollment fee was $39. Both are included in your monthly payment.

Family Credit Management has been helping people get out of debt since 1996, with over 30 years of experience working with hundreds of thousands of individuals and families to simplify payments, lower interest rates, and achieve financial peace of mind.

Yes! Family Credit Management is a licensed, nonprofit credit counseling agency. We're not here to profit from your debt. Our mission is straightforward: honest, practical help that empowers you to become debt-free and stay that way.

Family Credit Management is one of the largest nonprofit debt management organizations in the country, and one of the most accountable. We're licensed by state banking departments across the U.S., ISO certified, audited annually, and hold an A+ rating with the BBB. Client funds are always held in dedicated trust accounts. Beyond credentials, what sets us apart is our people. Our counselors don't use scripts or work on commission. They listen, ask the right questions, and walk you through real options for your situation; no pressure, no gimmicks. See what our clients have to say, or get started with a free quote.

Family Credit Management is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit credit counseling agency that helps individuals and families regain control of their finances. Our primary service is a Debt Management Program (DMP), which consolidates unsecured debts: credit cards, personal loans, payday loans, and medical bills into one affordable monthly payment. We work directly with your creditors to reduce interest rates, stop late fees, and help you pay off debt faster.

Yes, we absolutely can.

If you are able to make payments directly to your creditors before your first payment to us, we never discourage it. Just make sure it does not jeopardize your first payment to us, which is essential to get your program started on time.

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That said, most of our clients cannot afford to do both, and that is perfectly okay. Creditors typically do not report credit cards as past due to the credit bureaus unless two payments are missed. In many cases, once your payments through us begin, creditors will bring the accounts current.

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Yes, in most cases. Creditors typically require accounts to be closed in order to offer benefits such as reduced interest rates and waived fees. One common concern is that closing an account will erase your payment history, but that's a misconception. Your full payment history stays on your credit report for years and continues to factor into your score. If you'd like to keep one card outside the program for emergencies, that can often be arranged; just let us know.

Yes! You can absolutely pay extra toward your plan whenever you’d like, whether it's a one-time bonus payment, a tax refund, or just a good month. There are no penalties or fees for paying more than your scheduled amount. Paying extra can help you finish your plan faster and reduce the total interest you pay over time. If you'd like help applying an extra payment strategically, just reach out. We’re happy to guide you!

Yes, in most cases. If you have an account you'd like to add, one you didn't list originally, or a new one, we can usually include it in your existing Family Credit Management plan. We'll confirm whether it qualifies and let you know how it would affect your monthly payment or timeline.

Once you enroll and make your first payment, Family Credit Management notifies your creditors and begins setting up your plan. From there, you make one monthly payment to us and we handle distribution to your creditors. You'll have access to an online account to track progress and view statements anytime, and our team is available by phone, email, or text whenever you need us.

No. Once your Debt Management Program is in place, you make one monthly payment to Family Credit Management and we handle payments to each of your creditors. You'll receive a monthly statement showing exactly where your money went, and your online account is available anytime to check your status.

Yes, reducing interest rates and stopping fees is one of the primary benefits of a Family Credit Management Debt Management Program. We work with your creditors to lower rates, often to single digits, and eliminate ongoing late fees and over-limit charges. Every creditor is different, but we'll give you a clear picture of what concessions you can expect when you receive your free quote.

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In many cases, yes, you have flexibility in choosing which unsecured debts to include in your Debt Management Program. Some creditors do require all of your accounts with them to be included in order to offer benefits like reduced interest rates, but many don't. Our counselors will walk you through what's possible with each creditor so you can make the decision that's right for your situation.

A Debt Management Program is a voluntary repayment plan, no courts, no public record, where you pay back what you owe with reduced interest and waived fees. Bankruptcy is a legal process that can eliminate certain debts, but it may remain on your credit report for up to 10 years and can affect your ability to borrow in the future. For people who want to repay what they owe and minimize long-term credit damage, a Debt Management Program is often the better path. We'll give you an honest assessment of your options regardless of which direction makes sense for you.

Family Credit Management's DualTrack hybrid plan combines the structure of a Debt Management Program with the option to settle certain debts when appropriate. It's a good fit when some accounts are better suited for negotiation than structured repayment. We'll review your situation, explain which approach fits each debt, and walk you through every step before you commit to anything.

Debt settlement is when a creditor agrees to accept less than the full amount owed, typically as a lump sum, in exchange for considering the debt resolved. It can reduce what you pay overall, but it may have credit consequences and tax implications. At Family Credit Management, debt settlement is only considered as part of our hybrid plan, and only when it genuinely makes sense for your situation. We'll always explain the full picture before you decide.

A Debt Management Program through Family Credit Management consolidates your unsecured debts into one affordable monthly payment. We work with your creditors to lower or eliminate interest rates, stop late fees, and create a realistic payoff timeline. Most clients pay off their debt faster than they could on their own and with significantly less stress.

Family Credit Management works with tens of thousands of creditors nationwide, including major banks, credit card companies, and collection agencies. Because of our established nonprofit status, many creditors already have guidelines in place for working with us, which often means better concessions for you, like reduced interest rates and waived fees. If you have a specific creditor in mind, we're happy to look into what's available for your situation.

Family Credit Management can help with most unsecured debts, including credit cards, medical bills, payday loans, personal loans, and collection accounts. Secured debts like mortgages and auto loans typically can't be included in a Debt Management Program, but we'll review your full situation and help you build a plan that accounts for everything.

Unlike many debt relief companies that offer one-size-fits-all solutions, Family Credit Management offers both a traditional Debt Management Program and a hybrid plan that can include negotiated settlements when appropriate. We also offer a Priority Repayment Plan for those struggling with older debts or heavy collections. You don't need to take out a new loan, and there's no pressure to do anything that doesn't make sense for your situation. Our goal is a plan that's strategic, affordable, and built around your financial picture, not a generic formula.

Family Credit Management begins contacting your creditors as soon as your enrollment is complete and your first payment is made. We send proposals outlining the new payment terms, and most creditors respond quickly. If a creditor needs additional information or makes a counteroffer, we handle that communication and keep you informed throughout.

Your information is kept private and secure. Family Credit Management will never sell, rent, or give your name or address to any party for any promotional reason or share any personal details without your consent. As a licensed, regularly audited nonprofit, we take data security seriously. If you'd like to keep your enrollment private from a partner or family member, we can accommodate that. You're in control of what you share and with whom.

Yes, you'll have ongoing access to the Family Credit Management team for the entire length of your program. Whether you need to update your plan, adjust a payment date, or just have a question, we're reachable by phone, email, text and your online account. We know this is often a multi-year commitment, and we're with you the whole way.

Not at all. Family Credit Management works with you however you prefer: phone, email, text, or a mix. Our application even includes a "no phone calls" option so you can set that boundary upfront. No one on our team works on commission, so you'll never get a pushy pitch, just honest answers at your pace.

A Debt Management Program can have mixed short-term effects on your credit score, but tends to support improvement over time. Account closures may cause a slight dip, particularly if your credit utilization ratio is currently low, but closing an account does not erase your payment history, which stays on your credit report for years. Most Family Credit Management clients are already carrying high balances, meaning account closures have minimal additional impact. The two most important credit factors, on-time payments and reducing balances, are exactly what this program is designed to help with.

You can try, but creditors are generally more willing to offer meaningful concessions, like reduced interest rates or waived fees, through an established program than through individual negotiation. Enrolling in a Debt Management Program through Family Credit Management signals a clear, organized commitment to repayment, which creditors recognize and respond to. In many cases, they'd rather work with us than send your account to collections.

No, you don't need to be behind on payments to qualify for a Debt Management Program. Many Family Credit Management clients enroll before missing a single payment, which often leads to better results. If you're struggling to keep up or relying on credit to cover everyday expenses, it's a great time to reach out.

Yes, we may still be able to help. A Debt Management Program doesn't stop legal action that's already been filed, but Family Credit Management can often work with the creditor or collector involved to include that account in your plan or explore a settlement. Every situation is different. The sooner you share the details with us, the more options we're likely to have.

This is one of the most common situations we work with at Family Credit Management; being behind or in collections doesn't disqualify you. In many cases, creditors will still offer reduced interest rates and waived fees once you're enrolled in a Debt Management Program. We'll review each of your accounts and walk you through what to expect.

Once you complete your Debt Management Program, you'll be free of all included debts and have a strong repayment track record behind you. Family Credit Management will provide a final summary of your completed accounts, and our team remains available if you need guidance down the road. Most clients also leave with better budgeting habits and a clearer financial picture than when they started.

Consistent payments are important; many creditors base their reduced interest rates and fee reductions on your payment history, so staying current protects the benefits you've earned. That said, life happens. Some creditors allow a missed payment or two over the life of a program; others have stricter guidelines. If you're unable to make a payment, contact Family Credit Management before your due date so we can walk through your options and work to keep your plan on track.

Yes, you can always pay extra! There are no penalties or fees for paying more than your scheduled amount. Extra payments can help you finish your Debt Management Program faster and reduce the total interest you pay. If you'd like help applying an extra payment strategically, just reach out and we'll help you make the most of it.

Most Family Credit Management clients complete their Debt Management Program in 3 to 5 years, depending on total debt, monthly payment amount, and creditor terms. You'll receive a clear timeline estimate upfront, and you can track your progress anytime through your online account. If you want to finish faster, we'll help you build a strategy to do that.

That's completely okay! Taking the first step can feel overwhelming, and we're not here to pressure you. Free quotes carry no obligation, and our counselors will give you honest feedback whether or not a program is the right fit. Not sure where to start? Take our free How Serious Is My Debt? quiz to find out if you need professional help or if a budget adjustment might do the trick.

Every financial situation is different, and we know not every question fits neatly into a list. You can reach Family Credit Management by email at counseling@familycredit.org, by phone, or through our contact form anytime. There are no bad questions; we're happy to walk through your specific situation and make sure you feel confident about your next steps.

Secured debts like mortgages and auto loans typically can't be included in a Debt Management Program. However, Family Credit Management Credit and Debt Advisors can help you build a budget that accounts for those payments so you can stay current on everything while paying down your unsecured debt.

Yes, many personal loans, payday loans, and medical debts can be included in your plan, especially if they are unsecured and with creditors who participate in our programs. Each situation is unique, and we’ll review your debts one by one to let you know what can be included and what your options are.

Generally, no. Enrolled credit cards are closed as part of the creditor agreement, which is often required to receive reduced interest rates and other benefits. You may be able to keep one card outside the program for emergencies or travel. We'll walk through your specific situation and explain what's possible based on your creditors and plan type.