National Debt Relief for Debt Settlement: 2025 Review
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National Debt Relief at a glance
Minimum debt required to enroll: | $7,500. |
Types of debt eligible for enrollment: | Unsecured debt, including credit cards, personal loans, lines of credit, medical bills, collections, repossessions, business debts and some student debts. |
Settlement fee: | Up to 25% of the total debt enrolled. |
Account fees: | $9 setup fee. $9.85 monthly maintenance fee. |
How long it may take: | Two to four years. |
How much you may save: | 20% to 25% of enrolled debt after fees. |
Availability: | Not available in: Oregon, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin. |
How does National Debt Relief work?
How much does National Debt Relief cost?
Expert take on National Debt Relief
“If you want to get out of debt, settlement is probably the last option I'd recommend. That’s because it can seriously tank your credit score, and it may take years to reach a successful settlement offer.
But if you're determined to go the settlement route, National Debt Relief is a nationally recognized company I'd feel comfortable directing you to. National has been around for 15 years, holds numerous accreditations and promises no upfront fees. Take advantage of the initial free phone call to get a sense of the program and ask National what you can expect in terms of timeline, costs and money saved on your debts.”

Lead Writer, Debt settlement
Is National Debt Relief legit?
Pros
Free initial consultation.
Multiple accreditations.
Additional services available.
Cons
Risky way to get out of debt.
No guarantee of success.
Pros of National Debt Relief
Cons of National Debt Relief
How to qualify for National Debt Relief
Know the risks of debt settlement
- It will hurt your credit: Because you’re required to stop making payments on enrolled debts, those accounts will be marked delinquent on your credit reports. Your credit score will take a significant hit, especially if you weren’t already delinquent on those accounts. Delinquencies and settled accounts stay on your credit reports for seven years.
- Interest and fees continue to accrue: Until you enter a settlement agreement, you’ll accrue additional interest and late fees on your debt. If you don't stick with the program to completion, or if the debt settlement company can't negotiate a settlement, you may end up with an overall higher balance.
- You may still hear from creditors or debt collectors: There’s no guarantee your creditors will want to work with a debt settlement company, and you may be contacted by debt collectors or sued by creditors during the process.
- Forgiven debt may be considered taxable income: Forgiven debts over $600 may be counted as income on your taxes. Creditors may send a 1099-C form to you in the mail and to the IRS. One exception is if you are insolvent (your liabilities exceed your total assets) at the time the company settles with your creditors.
National Debt Relief vs Freedom Debt Relief
Alternatives to hiring a debt settlement company
Do-it-yourself debt settlement
Debt management plan
Debt consolidation loan
Bankruptcy
Article sources
- 1. National Credit Union Administration. Payday Alternative Loans Final Rule. Accessed Apr 17, 2025.
- 2. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. What Is a Debt Relief Program and How Do I Know if I Should Use One?. Accessed Jan 16, 2025.
- 3. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Finance Rate on Personal Loans at Commercial Banks, 24 Month Loan. Accessed May 23, 2025.
- 4. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Truth in Lending Act (TILA) examination procedures. Accessed May 2, 2025.
- 5. Experian and Oliver Wyman. Financial Inclusion and Access to Credit. Accessed Jan 23, 2025.
- 6. Internal Revenue Service. Canceled debt – Is it taxable or not?. Accessed Apr 1, 2025.
- 7. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. What is a payday loan?. Accessed Apr 17, 2025.
- 8. Center for Responsible Lending. Payday and Other Small Dollar Loans. Accessed May 2, 2025.
- 9. National Credit Union Administration. Credit Union and Bank Rates 2024 Q4. Accessed May 23, 2025.
- 7. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. What is a payday loan?. Accessed May 2, 2025.
- 11. Internal Revenue Service. Retirement Topics - Plan Loans. Accessed Apr 8, 2025.
- 12. Internal Revenue Service. Retirement topics: Exceptions to tax on early distributions. Accessed Apr 8, 2025.
- 13. Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Bankruptcy Basics. Accessed Apr 8, 2025.
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