Credit counseling agencies have been able to utilize creditor benefits through debt management plans ever since their inception decades ago. To understand how this occurs, you should know what a debt management plan is.

What is a Debt Management Plan

A debt management plan is a unique program that consolidates your individual credit card payments into one monthly payment. Each payment is then disbursed to your creditors at the same time each month. In turn, your creditors can agree to provide special benefits to help you eliminate your debt.

These benefits can include re-aging of your delinquent accounts. This is possible when your accounts have not been turned over to collections. The results can include restoring current payment status and the elimination of late and over-the-limit fees.

Lower Interest Rates

In addition, credit card companies can extend lower interest rates to your accounts on a permanent basis. The catch is that you cannot miss payments. These rates are fixed as long as you remain committed to the debt management plan.

Interest rate reductions help to lower your finance charges each month, thereby allowing more money to go toward the principal balance. In addition, this allows more leeway for credit card issuers to grant you a lower minimum monthly payment on your accounts.

Lower Minimum Payments

One of the main advantages of a debt management plan is that you can actually pay off your debts faster even though you are making smaller minimum payments than you otherwise could expect to pay on your own. In some cases, payments can even be cut in half or even lower.

Each person’s situation is different. Some credit card companies offer excellent benefits, while some companies offer mediocre or no benefits whatsoever.

Find a Qualified Credit Counselor

One way to determine what you could expect to pay each month would be to meet with a Certified Credit Counselor. Some agencies offer much more extensive training to their counselors than others. You will want to find a reputable agency that has high standards for its counselors so that you can get the most qualified assistance possible.

Certified Credit Counselors can review your situation with you and provide options for getting out of debt. They can give you a good faith estimate of what you could expect to save in interest charges. You can also get a close estimate of your new monthly payment if you enroll in a debt management plan.

If you are having trouble paying more than the minimum payment each month, then you could benefit from meeting with a credit counselor. The right agency could help you save thousands.