 TITLE: Debt-Free Living: How to Get Out of Debt for Good CONTENT: How to Get Help With Your Debt\n------------------------------\nThere is support available if you're unsure where to start or you get stuck along the way. It's important to make sure any financial assistance you receive is reliable and trustworthy, and use an extra layer of caution if you're considering paying for help to get out of debt. Here are some tips:\n*   **Consider nonprofit credit counseling.** A nonprofit credit counseling agency can help you develop a debt payoff strategy and a new budget. Depending on your situation, you may get all the assistance you need during a free, one-hour initial consultation. Search for a certified counselor through a membership organization like the National Foundation for Credit Counseling or through the U.S. Department of Justice's approved list of agencies (this list is targeted at consumers needing bankruptcy counseling, but anyone can refer to it). Your credit counselor can help determine whether you're a candidate for a debt management plan, in which you pay a monthly fee for help lowering fees or interest rates or streamlining debt payments. But it's up to you whether to participate.\n*   **Try to avoid debt settlement companies.** Unlike nonprofit credit counseling agencies, debt settlement companies are for-profit entities that claim they will substantially reduce the amount you owe—which, often, it's not possible to do. Debt settlement can also lead to high fees and damaged credit, since these companies typically direct you to stop paying creditors during the negotiation process. In general, it's best to avoid them.\n*   **Look into free local assistance.** In many states, the local consumer affairs or consumer protection agency can connect residents with free financial counseling, such as through a program like New York City's Financial Empowerment Centers. Search your state's consumer protection website or attorney general's website for resources. You can also reach out to your state social service agency or use Benefits.gov to determine whether you qualify for state or federal benefits. These can help you stay on your feet while you work to pay off debt. END