Free debt help, real solutions.

A free nonprofit service from Illinois Legal Aid Online and Working Credit to help you take control of debt safely—no tricks, no hidden costs.

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Tailored Solutions

Three easy steps

Tell us about your debt

Answer questions about your debt. It only takes 5-10 minutes.

Explore your options

Get your tailored options and resources to help you choose your path.

Track your progress

Move forward with step-by-step guidance to deal with your debt and achieve your goals.

1 in every 5 Illinoisans has at least one debt in collection.

With our legal and financial help, you can tackle your debt problems.

Debt help illinois

Why choose us?

No hidden costs - it's totally free
Clear information about what’s at risk
Step-by-step options to reach your goals
Tools and articles tailored to your situation
Trusted referrals when available

About us

Knowledge Hub

Resources

Can you go to jail for not paying a debt in Illinois?

No. Illinois has no debtor's prison. You can't be jailed for owing money or losing a debt case. Learn the one exception: disobeying a court order.

You have the right to emergency care, even if you owe money

Learn your rights to emergency care and why you should not let medical debt get in the way of getting emergency treatment.

What happens to debt after you die?

Learn how debts impact your estate after you die.

What happens if I just ignore a debt?

Learn how ignoring debt could hurt you more in the long run.

Financial assistance programs can lower medical bills

Learn about hospital financial assistance protections and how they can reduce or eliminate your medical bills. If your income is under 600% of federal poverty…

A person holding and offering a debit card for payment

Be careful about making payments on old debt

Learn how paying old debt can restart the statute of limitations, giving collectors more time to sue.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED Questions

Answers to common questions to help you better understand how Debt Help Illinois can help you navigate debt.

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How can Debt Help Illinois help me?

Debt Help Illinois is a free, online resource for understanding and dealing with your debt as a consumer. We provide easy-to-follow legal and financial information, tools, and guidance so you can make smart choices and take control of your financial situation, one debt at a time.

Visit our User Guide to learn how to use this website.

Is this service really free?

Yes, completely free. No hidden fees, no surprise charges. We believe everyone deserves access to clear and helpful information—without a price tag.

How do I qualify for help?

If you live in Illinois or have debt in Illinois, you can use our service to get information and help.

Whether you have a small bill or a big loan, we’re here to help. Debt can be stressful at any size, and everyone’s situation is different. We meet you where you are.

Can you help with all kinds of debt?

Currently, we focus on the most common types of consumer debt—like credit cards and medical bills. We are continually expanding our content to include other types of debt. If your situation is different from the help we currently have, we’ll point you to other reliable sources.