What In Charge Solutions offers

In Charge Solutions is a nonprofit credit counseling agency that offers debt consolidation services alongside financial education and budget planning. The organization does not lend money itself. Instead, it works with you to create a debt management plan (DMP) — a structured repayment schedule where you make one monthly payment to In Charge, which then distributes funds to your creditors on your behalf.

In Charge operates in all 50 states and is accredited by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC). The agency charges fees for its services, though it offers initial counseling sessions at no cost. A debt management plan typically runs three to five years, depending on how much you owe and what your creditors agree to.

Key Takeaways

  • In Charge Solutions creates a debt management plan where you make one monthly payment to the agency, which pays your creditors according to a negotiated schedule.
  • The organization charges setup fees and monthly maintenance fees that vary based on your situation; initial credit counseling is free.
  • Creditors must agree to the plan terms, and some may reduce your interest rate or waive late fees as part of the arrangement.
  • A debt management plan appears on your credit report and may lower your credit score initially, though consistent payments can rebuild it over time.
  • In Charge also offers budget counseling, financial literacy courses, and housing counseling separate from debt consolidation.

How the debt management plan process works

You start by contacting In Charge for a free initial counseling session, either by phone or online. A credit counselor reviews your income, expenses, and debts to determine whether a debt management plan makes sense for your situation. This counselor will not pressure you into a plan; they may recommend alternatives like budgeting on your own or exploring other consolidation routes.

If you decide to move forward, In Charge negotiates with your creditors — credit card companies, medical debt collectors, and other unsecured creditors — to agree on a repayment schedule. Creditors often reduce interest rates or waive late fees when they know you are committed to repaying through a formal plan. However, creditors are not required to participate, and some may refuse.

Once creditors agree, you make a single monthly payment to In Charge, typically between $100 and $500 depending on your total debt and income. In Charge then distributes that money to your creditors according to the plan. You receive a monthly statement showing what was paid to each creditor and your remaining balance.

Fees and what they cover

In Charge charges a setup fee when you enroll in a debt management plan, which typically ranges from $0 to $50, though this varies by state and your specific situation. You also pay a monthly maintenance fee, usually between $25 and $50 per month, for the duration of the plan. Some states cap these fees by law, so the actual amount depends on where you live.

These fees cover the cost of negotiating with creditors, processing your monthly payment, sending statements, and providing ongoing counseling support. Initial credit counseling — the session where you explore whether a plan is right for you — is always free. If you want additional financial education courses or housing counseling, those may have separate fees or be included depending on In Charge's current offerings.

How a debt management plan affects your credit

Enrolling in a debt management plan will appear on your credit report as an account notation or a separate entry showing that you are in a formal repayment arrangement. This notation may cause your credit score to drop initially, typically by 20 to 100 points, because creditors report the plan as a change to your account status.

However, as you make consistent on-time payments through the plan, your credit score usually begins to recover. After 12 to 24 months of regular payments, many people see their scores improve significantly. The plan itself is not a negative mark like a bankruptcy or charge-off; it shows lenders that you are taking active steps to repay what you owe.

Once you complete the plan and pay off all enrolled debts, the notation remains on your credit report for a period of time but gradually becomes less influential. Your payment history — the most important factor in credit scoring — will show years of on-time payments, which helps rebuild your creditworthiness.

When a debt management plan makes sense

A debt management plan through In Charge works best if you have multiple unsecured debts (credit cards, medical bills, personal loans) and a stable income to make monthly payments. It is also a good fit if you want to avoid bankruptcy or if you have tried budgeting on your own but struggled to negotiate with creditors.

The plan is less suitable if your debts are primarily secured (a mortgage or car loan), if your income is too low to support even a reduced payment, or if you have already missed so many payments that creditors are unlikely to negotiate. In those cases, a counselor may recommend bankruptcy, a debt settlement company, or other options instead.

Comparing In Charge to other consolidation routes

A debt management plan differs from a consolidation loan, which is a single new loan that pays off multiple debts at once. With a consolidation loan, you borrow money from a bank or online lender and use it to clear your existing debts; you then repay the new loan. With In Charge's plan, you do not borrow anything — you restructure payments to creditors you already owe.

In Charge also differs from debt settlement companies, which negotiate to reduce the total amount you owe (often for a percentage of savings). Settlement is faster but damages your credit more severely and may result in a tax bill on the forgiven amount. A debt management plan keeps you paying the full balance but over a longer timeframe with potentially lower interest rates.

Bankruptcy is another alternative if your debts are overwhelming and you have little income. It eliminates or restructures debts but has long-term credit consequences. In Charge's plan is less drastic and preserves your ability to rebuild credit through consistent payments.

What happens if you cannot complete the plan

If your financial situation changes — you lose your job, face a medical emergency, or straightforward cannot afford the monthly payment — you can contact In Charge to modify the plan. The agency may negotiate with creditors to lower your payment, extend the timeline, or temporarily pause the plan while you stabilize your income.

If you stop making payments to In Charge without notifying them, creditors may resume collection efforts, and your credit report will reflect missed payments. Creditors are not obligated to hold the plan terms if you default on it. The best approach is to communicate with In Charge as soon as you know you are in trouble; they have experience working with people whose circumstances change mid-plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does In Charge Solutions work with all types of debt?

In Charge primarily works with unsecured debts like credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans. It does not typically consolidate secured debts (mortgages, car loans) or student loans. If you have a mix of debt types, a counselor will help you understand which debts can be included in the plan.

Can I use a credit card while in a debt management plan?

Most creditors require you to close or stop using credit cards enrolled in the plan. Some plans allow you to keep one card open for emergencies, but this varies by creditor agreement. Using cards enrolled in the plan defeats the purpose of consolidating and restructuring your payments.

How long does it take to see results?

You will see when ready results in the form of a single monthly payment instead of multiple ones. Creditors may reduce interest rates within the first month. Credit score recovery typically begins after 12 to 24 months of on-time payments, though the timeline depends on your starting score and payment history.

What if a creditor refuses to participate in the plan?

If a creditor declines to join the plan, you have a few options: continue paying that creditor separately outside the plan, negotiate directly with that creditor, or work with In Charge to prioritize other debts first. Some creditors are more willing to negotiate than others, and In Charge's counselors know which ones typically participate.

Is In Charge a scam?

In Charge Solutions is a legitimate nonprofit accredited by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. However, the debt consolidation industry does include scams. Verify that you are working with In Charge directly by calling their official number or visiting their website; never respond to unsolicited calls or emails claiming to represent the organization.