When it comes to credit card debt relief, it's important to dispel a common misconception: There are no government-sponsored programs specifically designed to eliminate credit card debt. So, you should be wary of any offers claiming to represent such government initiatives, as they may be misleading or fraudulent. People who file for personal bankruptcy get a discharge — a court order that says they don't have to repay certain debts. Bankruptcy is generally considered your last option because of its long-term negative impact on your credit.What to do when you are in crippling debt?
Does the US government have a debt relief program?
How can I get out of debt legally?
While debt collectors can no longer have you jailed or threaten to have you arrested for not paying your debts, there are a few instances in which you can be incarcerated with debt as the underlying cause. For example, a debt collector can sue you and, if you fail to comply with court orders, you could get jail time.
Keep in mind that the government doesn't offer grants to help Americans pay off consumer debt from things like credit cards. It does, however, offer financial support for Americans struggling with a range of tough financial situations.
Updated September 5, 2019 — The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 generally allows taxpayers to exclude income from the discharge of debt on their principal residence. Debt reduced through mortgage restructuring, as well as mortgage debt forgiven in connection with a foreclosure, qualify for this relief.
A credit card hardship program is a financial arrangement that allows those facing such situations to negotiate more manageable payments on outstanding credit card debt. The specifics of a hardship program depend on your credit card issuer and your financial position.
While there are no government debt relief grants, there is free money to pay other bills, which should lead to paying off debt because it frees up funds. The biggest grant the government offers may be housing vouchers for those who qualify. The local housing authority pays the landlord directly.
Freedom Debt Relief is a legitimate debt settlement company founded in 2002. It's accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with an A+ rating and holds an accreditation from the American Association for Debt Resolution (AADR).
Through the debt snowball strategy, you make minimum payments on all credit accounts and loans — except for the account with the smallest balance, where you put all extra dollars. Once you've paid that balance, turn to the account with the next-smallest balance and work on that.
Currently, no government-sponsored or government-backed programs provide credit card debt relief to consumers. For example, unlike what you see with federal student loans, you cannot apply to have credit card debt forgiven without penalties.
The IRS may agree that you have a financial hardship (economic hardship) if you can show that you cannot pay or can barely pay your basic living expenses. For the IRS to determine you are in a hardship situation, the IRS will use its collection financial standards to determine allowable basic living expenses.
Bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is another legal option that can help you stop paying credit cards. It helps individuals and businesses that can't afford to pay off their debts by evaluating and using their assets to pay off outstanding debts.
Provides financial resources to eligible homeowners to eliminate past-due mortgage payments. Funds will be deployed from the program until they are all allocated, with an end date projected by 2025. Help finding emergency shelter in your area.
In simple terms, the debt forgiveness rules apply when a “commercial debt obligation” has been settled for an amount that is less than the full amount owing (i.e., the “forgiven amount”). A commercial debt obligation is generally a debt obligation on which interest, if charged, is deductible in computing income.
The federal government doesn't give hardship grants to individuals. Instead, grants of this nature go to state and local governments, colleges and universities, law enforcement agencies, research labs, nonprofit organizations and businesses.
A grant is a form of financial aid that doesn't have to be repaid (unless, for example, you withdraw from school and owe a refund, or you receive a TEACH Grant and don't complete your service obligation).