Where to Get Help with Your Credit Card Bills

If you feel like you’re drowning in credit card bills and don’t know where to turn, you are not alone. Millions of Americans are right there with you. Myself included, to be honest.

Why Charities Usually Don’t Pay Credit Card Bills

So I have to start with the bad news, and I want to be upfront with this because I know by this time you’ve probably already spent hours calling around, looking for resources, and trying to find assistance on your own.

We have found some helpful resources for you, but there really aren’t many nonprofits, churches, or charities that are just going to outright pay your Visa, Mastercard, or other credit card bill for you in any given month. I know that feels unfair, especially when you’re trying so hard, but there is a reason for that, and it’s something we call the consequence gap.

Nonprofits operate with limited funds, so they have to triage. They have to prioritize survival. It’s like walking into a hospital with limited resources. They prioritize the people with the most urgent needs first.

If you miss your rent payment, you could lose your home. If you miss your electric bill, the lights or heat could be shut off. Those can have life-and-death consequences. But if you miss a credit card payment, the consequences tend to be less severe.

You might get harassing phone calls, your credit score could drop, you could get collection letters, you could even get sued, and you’ll definitely get stressed out. But in most cases, you’re still going to keep your roof and your utilities. Because of that, most charities simply can’t justify using limited funds to pay a bank when someone else needs that money to avoid eviction.

So if you’ve been beating yourself up wondering why you couldn’t find a grant to pay your credit cards, it’s not you. It’s just how the system works.

Option 1: Credit Card Hardship Programs

With that in mind, what can you do? Your first option is something called a hardship program. This is one of the best-kept secrets in the banking world.

Most people think that if you call the bank and say you can’t pay, they’re going to yell at you or come after you faster. That’s not how it works. Almost every major credit card company has an internal department designed to help people who have hit a rough patch, whether that’s job loss, a medical emergency, reduced hours, or an unexpected expense like a car repair.

Here’s what you need to do. Look at the back of your card and call the number there. Get a human on the phone. When they answer, say something like:

“I’m going through a financial hardship, and I’d like to speak to your hardship department.”

That puts you in the right place. This department can sometimes reduce your interest rate temporarily, waive late fees, or even pause payments. It’s not forgiveness—you still owe the money—but it can stop the crisis so you can catch your breath.

How to Prepare Before You Call

Before you dial, write down three things.

The cause of your hardship.
Don’t just say, “I’m broke.” Give a specific reason like job loss, medical issues, divorce, or a major expense.
Your back-on-track date.
Even if you aren’t 100% sure, give a realistic estimate, like returning to work by August 1 or recovering from surgery by March 15.
Your affordable payment.
Come prepared with what you can pay, even if it’s only $5 a month. If you truly can’t afford anything, you can say that too.

I’ve used this myself. I called a lender before my payment was late, explained what was happening, when I’d be able to pay again, and what I could manage in the meantime. They weren’t thrilled, but they worked with me. These steps really do work.

Option 2: Debt Relief Hotline

Hardship programs are great if you have one or two cards and a temporary problem. But many of you are dealing with five, six, or seven cards and balances over $10,000, with interest eating you alive.

If that sounds like you, I want to introduce you to a resource that sponsors our work: CareConnect USA Debt Relief Hotline. This service is usually for people carrying $10,000 or more in unsecured debt like credit cards or medical bills.

When you call, you speak with a counselor who looks at your situation and works to combine everything into one payment. They may be able to reduce interest, lower payments, or sometimes even reduce the total amount owed. The call is free, and it can give you a clearer picture of your options.

Option 3: Nonprofit Credit Counseling

If your debt is under $10,000, or you just need help with budgeting and lowering payments, your next best option is a nonprofit credit counseling agency. Look for agencies accredited by the NFCC or the FCAA.

These organizations focus on education. They’ll review your income and expenses and may offer a debt management plan, or DMP. With a DMP, you usually repay most or all of what you owe, but with reduced interest rates so your payments actually make progress.

It typically takes three to five years, and you’ll need to close your credit cards, but for many people that’s a helpful reset.

Option 4: Debt Consolidation Loans

Another option you’ll hear about is a debt consolidation loan. This is when you take out a personal loan to pay off all your cards.

There are upsides: one payment instead of many, and often a lower interest rate than credit cards. But there are serious risks. You usually need decent credit to get a good rate, and many people in crisis don’t have that anymore.

The biggest trap is paying off the cards, feeling relief, and then using the cards again. Six months later, you have the loan and maxed-out cards. If you go this route, you really need to stop using the cards.

Option 5: Respond if You’ve Been Sued

If you’ve received a court letter, please do not ignore it. If you don’t respond, the debt collector wins by default, which can lead to wage garnishment or frozen bank accounts.

If you’re thinking, “I can’t afford a lawyer,” there’s a tool called Solo that can help you respond to a debt collection lawsuit. I’ve used it myself. It walks you through simple questions and helps you file an answer with the court. They offer a free and a paid version, both much cheaper than a lawyer.

Filing an answer alone can stop an automatic judgment and give you time to negotiate or explore other options.

Option 6: Consider Bankruptcy

Finally, we need to talk about bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is a legal tool, not a moral failure. The law exists to protect people from falling into a bottomless pit of debt.

If you’re being sued, your wages are garnished, or you can’t meet basic needs because of debt payments, it may be time to speak with a bankruptcy attorney. Chapter 7 can wipe out unsecured debt if you qualify, and Chapter 13 creates a repayment plan.

Most attorneys offer free consultations. You can also call our partner, Care Connect USA’s bankruptcy relief line, if you want to explore options privately.

Warnings About Debt Relief Scams

Because you’re stressed and vulnerable, there are companies that will try to take advantage of you. Be very cautious.

Avoid companies that charge upfront fees.
Be skeptical of guarantees—no one can promise debt forgiveness.
Be careful if a company tells you to stop talking to your creditors entirely without explaining what they’re doing for you.

Final Thoughts

I know this was a lot of information, but remember, you usually only need to take one step. Call your card’s hardship department, contact the debt relief hotline, or work with a nonprofit counselor.

You are not defined by your debt. You’re a person doing your best in a hard situation, and there is a path forward.