Debt Consolidation with Bad Credit - You Still Have Options

How our program helps:

  • Significantly lower your monthly payment
  • Reduce your debt to a fraction of what you owe
  • Be debt free in as little as 24 to 48 months

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$1,000

$100,000+

Debt Consolidation With Bad Credit: How It Works and Your Options

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You could save hundreds monthly.

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This won't affect your credit score!

Consolidate Debt With Bad Credit — Without the Roadblocks

Want to consolidate debt with bad credit? Then we've got good news: At Accredited Debt Relief, your credit score won't become a barrier between you and debt relief. A debt relief program is built around what you can afford each month — not your eligibility to open a new balance transfer card or get a consolidation loan. Because debt relief targets your balance, not your interest rate, it can help people in significant unsecured debt become free in as little as 24 to 48 months.

Accredited Debt Relief evaluates people in all 50 states for debt consolidation options, with a minimum of $5,000 in unsecured debt required to enroll. Our debt relief program rolls eligible balances into one lower monthly payment, with no upfront fees and 1:1 support from certified debt specialists.

Get a Free Consultation — no pressure, no obligation, won't affect your credit score.

What Counts as Bad Credit?

Bad credit generally means a credit score in the lower range that lenders view as higher risk.

According to Experian, FICO Scores fall into five ranges: poor (300 to 579), fair (580 to 669), good (670 to 739), very good (740 to 799) and exceptional (800 to 850). Experian reported that about 70% of U.S. consumers had a good or better score in 2025, while roughly 15% sat in the poor range.

A lower score can make traditional borrowing harder or more expensive. It doesn't have to keep you from getting help with your debt — and it isn't the only path forward.

How Common Is Credit Card Debt Right Now?

If you're carrying a balance, you're far from alone. Recent government data shows how widespread unsecured debt has become.

Difficulty keeping up with payments is more common than many people realize. And if even your minimum payments have become hard to manage, talk to us — our debt relief program is designed to address exactly that.

Your Options for Consolidating Debt With Bad Credit

There are three common ways to consolidate debt, and only one of them is built around what you can afford — not your credit score.

Balance Transfer Credit Card

This means moving balances onto a new card, often with a low introductory rate. Approval and the rate you get depend on your credit, so a low credit score can make this option difficult to access. And even if you are approved, your credit score may mean your new card comes with unfavorable terms.

Debt Consolidation Loan

A new loan pays off your existing debts, and you repay the loan over time. Approval and the rate also depend on your credit. Accredited Debt Relief can evaluate clients for consolidation loan options as part of the same free consultation.

Debt Relief Program

A debt relief program is built around what you can afford each month, so it doesn't hinge on your credit score, and checking your options doesn't affect your credit. By bundling your debts, our debt relief program can save you 40% or more on eligible monthly payments. And because our program targets your total balance, not your interest rate, you stand to save in the big picture, too. For many people with significant unsecured debt, this is the most accessible and affordable option.

Debt Relief Program vs. Debt Consolidation Loan

Debt Relief Program Debt Consolidation Loan
How it works Eligible balances are rolled into one lower monthly payment New loan pays off existing debts; you repay the loan over time
Credit check required? No — checking your options doesn't affect your credit Yes — approval and rate depend on your credit
Reduces what you owe? Yes — your total debt owed is reduced No — you owe the full loan amount plus interest
Typical timeline 24 to 48 months 4 to 84 months, depending on the loan
Average monthly savings $480 a month on average on eligible enrolled debts Varies by rate and term
Minimum to start $5,000 in unsecured debt Lender-dependent
Best for People whose minimum payments are already unaffordable People with strong credit who can comfortably afford the new payment

Why Debt Relief Programs Make Sense for People With Bad Credit

Our debt relief program is designed to be an affordable and accessible solution to credit card, personal loan, medical debts and more.

Our approach targets your balance, not your interest, which is why our program is so effective. Interest is part of what makes balances so hard to clear. The average rate on credit card accounts assessed interest was 21.52% in early 2026, according to Federal Reserve data. A debt relief program targets your balance, not your interest rate, which is what sets it apart from borrowing your way out of debt.

How the Program Works

Getting started takes four simple steps and begins with a free consultation.

1. Free Consultation — You'll speak with a certified debt specialist who reviews your debt, income and monthly obligations. This won't affect your credit score.

2. Personalized Program — Your specialist builds a customized program around what you can actually afford each month, with a target graduation date.

3. One Monthly Deposit — Instead of juggling multiple payments, you make a single payment into a dedicated account.

4. Debt-Free in 24 to 48 Months — Because the program targets your balance, not your interest rate, you can get free from debt faster and for less.

Which Debts Are Eligible?

The program is best for people with significant unsecured debts, like credit card, personal loan and medical debts.

Eligible Debts

  • Credit cards
  • Personal loans
  • Medical bills
  • Store credit cards
  • Some private student loans

Ineligible Debts

  • Mortgages and home equity loans
  • Auto loans
  • Federal student loans
  • Tax debt
  • Child support and alimony
  • Any secured debt

The minimum amount of debt required to enroll in the program is $5,000, and Accredited Debt Relief can evaluate people in all 50 states.

Why People Choose Accredited Debt Relief

Accredited Debt Relief has helped people work toward becoming debt-free since 2011, with award-winning customer care at the center of the experience. The company has helped more than 1.3 million clients and resolved more than $15 billion in debt, backed by an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Our organization has been recognized multiple times over the years for exceptional client support, recently earning two 2026 Gold Stevie Awards, including Customer Service Department of the Year for the second straight year, plus Best in Biz honors, Business Intelligence Group recognition and three ConsumerAffairs Buyer's Choice Awards. Our clients also have access to financial wellness tools, group financial therapy sessions with Certified Financial Therapists and a private online community. Accredited Debt Relief holds a 4.8-star rating on Trustpilot from more than 10,000 client reviews.

Every specialist is IAPDA-certified through the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators, all staff benefit from guidance by AFC-certified trainers. We're also proud to be a member of the Association for Consumer Debt Relief (ACDR).

But what means most to us is that our clients leave in a better place than when they enrolled: In a 2025 survey of more than 2,000 Accredited Debt Relief graduates, 92% said their program payments were affordable. Graduates also reported a 42% average improvement in their financial habits, with self-rated habits climbing from 5.7 to 8.1 out of 10 after graduation.

How Do You Choose the Right Path for Your Debt?

The right path depends on the type of debt you have, your income and ability to pay, and how urgently you need to resolve it. During your free consultation, an Accredited Debt Relief IAPDA-certified debt specialist will review your debt, income and monthly obligations and provide a personalized savings estimate. The consultation is free, no-judgment and won't affect your credit score.

Get a Free Consultation | Call 800-497-1965

Frequently Asked Questions

The questions people ask most often about debt consolidation with bad credit — answered directly and without jargon.

Yes. A debt relief program is built around what you can afford each month rather than your credit score, so a low score doesn't have to keep you from getting help. Accredited Debt Relief evaluates people in all 50 states for debt relief or consolidation loan options, with a minimum of $5,000 in unsecured debt to enroll.

No. Checking your options with Accredited Debt Relief doesn't affect your credit. Your free consultation reviews your debt, income and monthly obligations so a specialist can build a program around what you can afford.

A debt relief program isn't based on a minimum credit score. It's designed around what you can afford each month. The main requirement is having at least $5,000 in eligible unsecured debt, such as credit card, personal loan and medical debt.

Programs typically run 24 to 48 months. Because debt relief targets your balance, not your interest rate, eligible people can become debt-free in as little as 24 to 48 months.

Eligible debts include credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, store credit cards and some private student loans. Mortgages, home equity loans, auto loans, federal student loans, tax debt and any secured debt aren't eligible.

A debt relief program rolls eligible balances into one lower monthly payment and reduces your total debt owed, and checking your options doesn't affect your credit. A debt consolidation loan is a new loan that pays off existing debts, requires a credit check and means you repay the full loan amount plus interest. Accredited Debt Relief can evaluate clients for debt relief or consolidation loan options.

Accredited Debt Relief has been operating since 2011, holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and has helped more than 1.3 million clients. Its specialists are IAPDA-certified, the company is a member of the Association for Consumer Debt Relief, and staff benefit from guidance by Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC)-certified trainers.

Ready to Take Control of Your Debt?

A free consultation with a certified debt specialist won't affect your credit score and will show you exactly what you'd save with the option that fits you best. No pressure, no obligation — just answers. Available in all 50 states.

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About This Page

Written by: Molly Simon - IAPDA & AFCPE-Certified Consumer Debt Editor

Last updated:

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