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Where Do I Get Bad Credit Loans to Consolidate My Bills?

By Daniel Cohen Apr 16, 2013
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HIGHLIGHTS
  • Review different consolidation options.
  • A home equity loan will offer the lowest monthly cost, but the highest overall cost.
  • Work to improve your credit, if your bad credit is limiting your options.

Where Do I Get Bad Credit Loans to Consolidate My Bills?

If your credit rating has taken a beating, you may be struggling to pay the bills. Low credit scores are often accompanied by abruptly boosted interest rates, which lead to higher expenses. Debt consolidation is a great way to get a handle on your bills, even if you have bad credit. Are you wondering, “Where do I get bad credit loans to consolidate my bills?” Keep reading to find the answer.

Consolidate Credit Cards with Bad Credit

If you have a lot of debt on high interest credit cards, you have three choices to consolidate your bills: a credit card balance transfer; a home equity line of credit or home equity loan or home refinance; or a personal loan. A balance transfer will get you the lowest rate, but only temporarily. A personal loan could have a rate that is lower than your current credit card interest rates that is repaid over  a longer term, but it may still be very high if you have a very low credit score. Contact your bank to ask about a personal loan. You may also receive offers in the mail. Carefully research the lender before agreeing to any offer you receive in the mail.

If you own a home, a home refinance or home equity loan is your best option. Because the loan is secured by your home, the interest rate is lower than you would find with a credit card or personal loan. The rate won’t be the lowest possible, however, because those are reserved for borrowers with excellent credit. You may also find that the rate is lower if you have more equity in your home because it gives the bank a bigger financial cushion if you default.

Tax deductions are another advantage to home equity loans. Mortgage interest and most interest for home equity loans or lines of credit is tax deductible, which will free up a little extra cash for paying those bills.

Consolidate Student Loans with Bad Credit

If you need to consolidate federal student loans, you’re in luck. The interest rates and consolidation rates are regulated by the federal government. You will almost certainly qualify for a reasonable interest rate from any student loan consolidator. Start with your current lender, but contact a few others to see if their terms and discounts vary. Consolidating is more complicated with private loans, but it may still be possible. Contact your current lender for information, then search for lenders online. Ask a few for quotes before accepting an offer.

When it comes to student loans, you should avoid combining them with other debts or paying them off with a home equity loan or cash-out refinance. This is because most federal student loans are forgiven at death or permanent disability and can be deferred while you’re alive. You lose these benefits if you swap them for a different kind of debt.

If you have bad credit, consolidating your debt and bills is a great way to improve your credit history. By paying down debt, you also improve your financial future and your ability to qualify for credit at better rates. No matter what your credit is like, you’ll be able to find someone who is willing to take a risk on you.

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Comments (22)


Tranika M.
April 13, 2013
I Just want to start my life over how can i get a loan to pay off all my bill and have one monthly note i just want everyone i owe to be paid off and i pay a lender once a month and can pay that off in a hurry is there such a lender out there
Bills.com
April 16, 2013
Tranika, unfortunately, you have limited options for consolidating loans when you have bad credit, and even fewer if you don't own property that you can use as security on the loan. You could check with a bank or with a peer-to-peer lender, but bad credit will result in a turn-down or a very high interest rate.

It is not clear from your question exactly what kind of debts you owe, but I suggest you speak with both a credit counseling program and a debt settlement program. Neither option is a loan, but both have one monthly payment and may be able to help you get out of debt faster and at a lower cost. Please read the information in the two links above to get a better understanding of how each approach works and their pros and cons.
Casey L.
August 31, 2012
I have federal and private student loans. I was already able to consolidate most of my federal loans and I currently have no problem with them. My biggest issue is with my private loans - originally through Citibank but have been sold to Discover Student Loans. I have tried every bank and organization I can find and cannot get approved for a consolidation loan even with a cosigner. My credit score continues to fall because I don't make enough money to pay for these loans and both Citibank and Discover have refused to help lower my payments. I've been told it's an "industry standard policy." But as Fedloan Servicing is willing to help, I don't think that's true. Are there any suggestions you can make to help me resolve this? I'm trying to make this bill more manageable so that I can build my credit score and may be able to consolidate in a few years.
Bills.com
August 31, 2012
Unfortunately, Citi and Discover are within their rights to be inflexible, whether it is an industry standard policy or not.

A co-signer with strong credit and healthy DTI should've been sufficient for you to qualify for a consolidation loan. I am surprised that you've had no luck with a co-signer. Did you receive a specific reason why you were turned down? Was the issue with you or your co-signer?

There are not a lot of options, when it comes to private student loans. You can continue to try to work out a payment plan or see if you can negotiate a lump-sum settlement, if you have a friend or family member that could help you raise the money.
Sandra V.
Fair Lawn Boro, NJ  |  May 16, 2012
Hi, I have a total of $11,000 on debts. most of my CC are from retail and two of them from finance companies/ I have a stable job, I make $26,000 a year. My husband & I just bought a house and now that we have that $2,700 mortgage plus bills to pay I am struggling to cover the bills. I am thinking of getting a loan to try pay my CC but I am not sure if this is going to affect my score credit and "most important" the tax return for next year. I don't want to get a loan, pay my debts and then when the tax return comes... I don't want to know I am going to get less money. Can you please advise the best way for me to do it. Thanks so much
Bills.com
May 17, 2012
Sandra, the way that you choose to handle your debt will not affect your taxes.

You can seek to consolidate your debt through a loan, but if you are struggling to pay your bills, your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) might prevent you from qualifying for a loan. Check with your bank and a local credit union, to see if you qualify for a consolidation loan that has a lower interest rate than your credit cards.

If you can't get a loan, look into a credit counseling program, which may be able to get you reduced interest rates and help you get out of debt faster.
Chris D.
Alamosa, CO  |  July 29, 2011
I have about $10,000 in debt and bad credit- I owe a bank about $1,500 that was sent to collections, deb collectors for Verizon, Sprint, medical bills, college tuition... I only make about $1,000 a month and am currently paying on only one medical bill. I am scared to death because of garnishment. If I get garnished I won't even be able to pay my rent. I am scared! I own nothing that could be put down on a loan. What do I do?
Bills.com
August 01, 2011
You can try to work out monthly payments with your creditors, after disclosing your income and fixed expenses. You could also try to negotiate settlements with your creditors, although you likely need to have funds ready to pay a settlement to make the process succeed. Lastly, you can consult with a bankruptcy, which could wipe out your debts and also protect you from any wage garnishment. If you consult with a bankruptcy attorney and find that you qualify for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you don't have to file for it, but will have the peace of mind of knowing that it's an option if you are sued and can't work out solutions with your creditors.
Jaynee L.
Brookhaven, NY  |  July 22, 2011
I need to know a name of lender in NY that would possibly give me loan, my credit is not totally shot yet, just fell behind because out of work have good paying job now and just want to make good on all I could use like 5000.00 to get up to par and handle everything on time there after.
Bills.com
July 25, 2011
It is hard to find a decent unsecured loan these days. You can try a bank, such as CitiBank, a credit union, or look into peer to peer lending.
Memorie J.
Crystal, NV  |  July 22, 2011
i am a 42 yr old mother of 6.i have recently gone through a separation i have 4 grown children and 2 young still at home. I am in need of a 4000.00 dollar loan to pay off my credit cards and loans as well as i only have 1000.00 left to pay off my car I purchased last August.i had a fair credit score up to about a month ago when things went south. i have been working at same place for 3 1/2 years and will make manager soon.i need to consolidate debt to get control of my credit and my life for my boys.if i pay off my car i can use it for collateral.blue book is 6000-7000.please contact me with any advice or resource as I am at my wits end. thank you
Bills.com
July 22, 2011
When you have bad credit, few are willing to lend to you and anyone who will likely charges very high interest rates.

You may be able to get a title loan on your car, given its equity position, but it may not be helpful to do so. One, you put your car at risk if you miss a payment. Two, the interest rate can be so high that it is not beneficial.

If you have high interest rates on your credit cards, look into credit counseling. A credit counseling program will review your budget with you and offer you a debt management plan, if it will help you, that can lower your interest rates.
Nicole P.
Riverview, FL  |  June 27, 2011
I am looking for a loan to consolidate about $20,000 in credit card debt. I am not sure what my credit score is but assuming not great based on Credit to debt. However, I have not missed a payment in well over 7 years. I am just foundering to make the payments due to high interest rates.
Bills.com
June 27, 2011
Another debt may not be the answer to your needs. Read the Bills.com resource What are my debt resolution options? to read more about how to handle overwhelming debt. See also the Bills.com Debt Coach for an interactive tool that will help advise you how to resolve your debt problem.
Jina O.
Fayetteville, IL  |  April 08, 2011
Need a loan to consolidate some credit cards and a lot of medical bills... About 9,000
Bills.com
April 09, 2011
You are not giving us much information to go on. See the Bills.com series What are my debt relief options? to see tactics and strategies for dealing with debt. Ask any follow-up questions you may have on the appropriate page.
Erika S.
Santa Rosa, CA  |  April 01, 2011
I am looking to consolidate about $19,000 in debt (credit cards, medical, student loans)I work through a staffing agency (currently on a long term assignment that is more than likely going to go permanent) and make one LARGE payment per month. My credit is NOT the greatest and I am doing my best to avoid filing for bankruptcy. Is there a lender out there that would consider me?
Bills.com
April 01, 2011
You face an uphill struggle if you have a high debt-to-income ratio and a low credit score. See the Bills.com resource Peer-to-Peer Loan to learn about that option. Instead of finding another loan to consolidate your existing loans, consider a different path — debt resolution.
Leon J.
Baton Rouge, LA  |  January 11, 2011
I need a list of lenders that will help me consolidate my bills. I own my home but is behind with it, also some outstanding bills.
Bills.com
January 11, 2011
You did not leave enough information for me to fully understand your situation and to present some options to you. When you are behind on your mortgage, it is likely that your credit rating has taken a beating. Your credit rating could prevent you from qualifying for a consolidation loan. If you can't qualify for a loan, I recommend that you look at all your options for taking care of your debt.
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