Rhode Island Debt Relief Programs in 2025

How Does Debt Relief Work in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island debt relief encompasses various programs designed to help alleviate your indebtedness and guide you toward a debt-free life. These options apply to secured and unsecured debts.

Federal and state government agencies, non-profit organizations, and debt relief companies offer debt relief programs in Rhode Island. Most begin by evaluating your financial situation and recommending debt management programs. 

Rhode Island Economic Profile

Rhode Island sits on the nation’s east coast and is the smallest state at 48 miles long and 37 miles wide. It has a population of over 1.1 million residents.

Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the nation, but its cost of living is higher than most areas of the country. In fact, residents in the Northeast pay more for every good and service, including housing, food, and health care. 

Rhode Island residents carry an average consumer debt of over $102,717, making debt-free living a far-off dream for many residents of The Ocean State.

Here are some key facts and findings when it comes to debt and the financial situation in Rhode Island:

Credit Card Debt

The average Rhode Island borrower owes $8,069 in credit card debt. This is close to the national average of $5,589.

Student Loan Debt

Rhode Island residents owe the federal government $4.9 billion in student loans. Each of the state's indebted residents owes an average of $33,243, making up 13% of the total population. 

Bankruptcy

In 2024, a total of 904 people filed for bankruptcy in Rhode Island, an 8.5% increase from the previous year. 

Average Income and Employment

Out of the 1.1 million Rhode Island inhabitants, 65% participate in the workforce. 

The Ocean State's per capita income is $45,919, while the median household income is $86,372. 

Credit Score

Rhode Island has an average credit score of 713. Your credit score determines your access to loans and the cost of accessing them.

Top Types of Debt to Get Relief from in Rhode Island

Here are the most common types of debt burdening Rhode Island residents:

Credit Card Debt

Since they are unsecured loans, the interest rate on credit cards is proportionately higher, and defaulting on your accounts only pushes the cost up further, making it harder for the cardholder to pay off the debt without assistance. Also, defaulting on your credit cards ruins what good credit you may have.

Divorce Debt

Divorce can become a financially destabilizing process. Often, divorce will leave you with hefty legal fees, debt obligations incurred during the marriage, possible divorce settlement, and alimony. After a divorce, you may fall behind on other debt obligations and incur higher interest and late fees.

Business Debt

Debt is often an inevitable part of ownership for small businesses in Rhode Island. However, improperly managed debt may cause cash flow problems that affect inventory purchases, overhead funding, and payment of wages. If poorly managed, the debts may even lead to the business collapsing.

Medical Debt

Rhode Island offers medical coverage to help residents without insurance. The Medicaid program offers medical coverage to those with low income, and the state also extends health services to residents in need.

However, it is still possible to get stuck with large medical bills that you have to pay out of pocket. For instance, in 2020, Rhode Island residents owed an average of $1,301 in medical bills, with 5.6% of all medical debt in collections. 

Retirement Debt

Rhode Island may be a scenic state with fantastic seafood, but it ranks among the most expensive states to retire. WalletHub ranks Rhode Island 39th in affordability for retirees.

If they haven't saved enough for comfortable living, senior residents will likely find themselves in debt, especially for living expenses and medical coverage.

Options for Debt Relief in Rhode Island

Here are some of the most effective debt relief options to help you discharge your outstanding balances:

Debt Management Programs

A debt management program is a plan set up by a credit counselor or private organization after evaluating your financial situation. The goal of a management program is to resolve your debt in an affordable and timely way. 

Your plan may involve closing lines of credit, negotiating lower payment amounts, and securing lower interest rates. Once you commit to following a debt management plan, you can begin to restore your credit and start working toward a debt-free life. 

Debt Consolidation Loans

A debt consolidation loan is a way to refinance multiple smaller loans, leaving you with one manageable monthly payment. Once you secure the loan, you'll pay off all of your outstanding accounts to end any other payments. 

Debt consolidation loans can be cheaper than the multiple loans you pay off if you have good credit. A higher FICO score can mean more access to loans at better interest rates. 

When securing a consolidation loan, it's important to understand the terms. Some loans offer low interest for an introductory period, but the rates increase after a set time. 

Debt Settlement

A debt settlement is an agreement with your creditors, often a credit card company, to let you pay off only a reduced portion of your debt on the condition that you do it in one lump sum.

For creditors, debt settlement is a more attractive prospect than you defaulting on your account. You can choose to complete the negotiations yourself or work with a reputable Rhode Island debt relief company. 

Debt settlement companies can often settle with a credit card company for up to 50% of what you owe. However, you will also owe a fee to the organization based on how much debt you enroll.

Credit Counseling

Credit counseling usually involves empowering you to take charge of your financial affairs. Credit counseling agencies take time to review your financial situation and help you choose the appropriate debt relief option. A credit counselor may also help you understand your credit report so you get a better picture of how lenders view your debt situation.

Sometimes, like in debt management programs, the credit counseling agency may negotiate and administer the agreement on your behalf. Non-profit credit counseling can be an effective solution if you can't afford paid services.

Debt Forgiveness

In debt forgiveness, the creditor decides to release you of the whole or part of your obligation toward them. This practice is uncommon with private organizations and is typically offered through government programs at the state and local levels. 

Student loans are popular candidates for debt forgiveness, as are mortgage debts, especially for low-income families. Rhode Island will forgive certain student loans if the debtors work in particular areas of public service within the state.

Debt and Financial Hardship Resources

These are some of the services and programs should you find yourself in financial hardship in Rhode Island:

Temporary Assistance Programs

Most of the temporary assistance programs indicated here are offered or administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS) in the Office of Health and Human Services.

The services and programs include:

• Energy and Water Assistance: The program ensures that residents can access utilities like energy and water, even if they cannot temporarily afford them. Lack of energy is critical and may be fatal in the winter months.
• General Public Assistance (GPA): GPA offers cash to adults from 18 to 64 years old who cannot work. The assistance lasts only for the period it takes to determine their SSI eligibility.
• RI Works Program: The RI Works Program seeks to help parents of high school students or younger find stability in the long run by teaching employment readiness skills and providing a temporary cash stipend. The primary aim is to encourage beneficiaries to become gainfully employed.
• SSI State Supplemental Payment: SSI offers supplemental income to recipients of federal SSI welfare assistance.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): The federal government offers SNAP to supplement the nutritional needs of citizens in temporary financial hardship.
• Stimulus Check: There is no stimulus check for Rhode Island for 2024.

State Health and Human Services

Programs from State Health and Human Services include Medicaid and Medicare, which offer medical coverage to low-income groups.

Child Care

Rhode Island's Child Care program helps parents and guardians access affordable, high-quality, safe childcare for their kids while they're at work.

Shelters for the Homeless

Rhode Island offers an emergency housing service that connects you via a provided phone number with emergency shelter facilities if you’re homeless.

Free Transportation Services

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) sometimes offers free transport on specific routes. Always check for availability with RIPTA or any of the regional transit systems within Rhode Island.

Get Debt Relief in Rhode Island Today

Your unique debt situation can help you decide which debt relief options are most effective. Be cautious not to fall into the hands of scammers or inexperienced service providers who charge upfront fees and fail to offer legitimate assistance.

Be sure to do your due diligence before making a final decision by checking reviews from trusted sources and verifying accreditation through the Better Business Bureau or on the company's website.

TurboDebt® is a trusted debt relief company that has helped many residents of Rhode Island with their debt. Thanks to the professionals at TurboDebt, residents of Rhode Island recorded a savings of 51% on average before fees.

TurboDebt has experience providing debt relief services nationwide, with thousands of positive reviews online. Get in touch with us today for a free consultation to see how we can assist you in becoming debt-free.