Debt Relief in Alabama
You may be one of the many Alabama residents who qualify for debt relief. Find out today!
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Alabama has made some significant inroads when it comes to credit card debt. In a 2019 report, the state was ranked near the bottom. But according to a 2022 analysis, Alabama had a median of $2,013 in credit card debt, the third-lowest total of any state, behind South Dakota and Mississippi. The average payoff time is 11 months and 12 days.
That’s a little bit of a surprise considering that Birmingham ranks No. 10 on the list of cities with the worst payday lending problems.
If you’re an Alabama resident who needs debt relief or other financial assistance, read on to learn about your state’s key resources.
Are you eligible for debt relief?
If you’re an Alabama resident, DebtHammer may be able to help.
Alabama overview
Alabama’s total population was around 5,039,877 at the last census. In 2020, the state’s estimated poverty rate was just under 15%, making it the 8th highest in the country. In comparison, the national average poverty rate is 11.6%.
For Alabama residents, the median household income is approximately $52,035. This is around $18,000 less than the real median household income in the United States.
Alabama debt statistics
Here are the most recent debt statistics for Alabama:
- Average household debt: $47,090 (Source: Federal Reserve Bank of New York)
- Average student loan debt: $37,137
- Average credit score: 691
- Median mortgage payment: $1,147 (monthly)
- Bankruptcies: 306.37 per 100,000 residents filed in 2021 (highest personal bankruptcy filing rate nationwide)
- Personal income: $48,110
- Child poverty: 21.4% in 2019
- Unemployment: 2.6%
Debt relief options
- Debt settlement: Generally done through a debt settlement agency, this process involves negotiating with your creditors to reduce how much you owe on an account. You may need to make a lump-sum payment to fully clear the debt. Once you’ve done this, the debt is considered forgiven.
READ MORE: Best debt settlement companies in your area
- Debt consolidation loans: With a debt consolidation loan, you can combine multiple high-interest debts into a single loan with one monthly payment. This can help simplify monthly payments and prevent late fees. Depending on the loan, you could also save money on interest fees.
- Debt management plan: DMPs are usually offered by nonprofit credit counseling agencies. When you set one up, a credit counselor will work on your behalf to negotiate with your creditors and help keep you on track with paying off what you owe. They may be able to get creditors to waive late fees or lower monthly payments.
- DIY plans: If you have good negotiation skills and are dealing with debt collectors, consider a DIY plan. You may be able to set up a repayment plan that works with your budget or reduce your debt.
- Bankruptcy: There are two different types of personal bankruptcy. Chapter 7 could wipe out your debt and give you a fresh start, at the risk of ruining your credit. If you have a lot of debt and a steady income, Chapter 13 might be better for you.
Debt settlement resources
Debt settlement involves negotiating with your creditors to reduce the total you owe. In Alabama, virtually all unsecured debts can be settled. This includes:
- Credit cards
- Department store cards
- Personal loans or lines of credit
- Personal lines of credit
- Old judgments
- Student loans in default
You can settle your debts in two ways:
- Negotiate directly with your creditors
- Use a professional debt settlement company
READ MORE: Debt settlement pros and cons
Debt settlement companies
- Optimal Debt Solutions
- Debt Hero: (205) 623-0015
- Superior Credit Repair: (888) 715-2400
- National Debt Relief
- CuraDebt
- New Era Debt Solutions
- Pacific Debt Relief
Resources for Alabama residents facing hardship
Alabama State has various state and local resources that help residents dealing with economic hardship. These programs can help with things like:
- Rent or mortgage payments
- Utility bills
- Job training
- Child care
- Food and nutrition
- Healthcare
- Legal assistance
Hardship programs
Alabama has several state-specific hardship programs and resources available to individuals in need. Here are just a few:
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Family Assistance Program: Low-income families with dependent children may be eligible for temporary financial assistance. For example, a family of three could receive $215 a month.
- JOBS Program: All 67 counties in Alabama have the JOBS Program, offered through the Department of Human Resources. This program can help parents who are currently receiving financial aid find and maintain employment. It also offers job readiness and skills training resources.
- The Individual and Households Program: Also known as IHP, this program is designed to help residents with things like housing assistance, provisions, small health expenses, and flood insurance.
- Alabama Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program: LIHEAP helps households pay for their energy costs. Eligibility depends on factors such as income, household size, and whether or not the applicant has a disability. To apply, contact your county’s agency. Or find more information on the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs site.
- Alabama Power: This online resource can help connect people in need with utility bills – particularly water and power.
- Emergency Rental Assistance: The Emergency Rental Assistance program helps low-income households with their rent payments. To be eligible, your primary residence must be located in Alabama. You must also make less than 80% of your region’s median income.
- Child Care Centers: There are subsidized child care centers throughout the state for low- to moderate-income families who need access to quality child care while working or in school. These centers are available in nine regions.
Food assistance
Almost half of American families are currently struggling to put food on the table. Alabama has many food banks throughout the state. Feeding Alabama has a comprehensive list of these, but here are some of the main ones:
- Food Bank of North Alabama: 2000 Vernon Ave SW, Huntsville, AL 35805; Phone number: (256) 539-2256
- West Alabama Food Bank: A3160 McFarland Blvd, Northport, AL 35476; (205) 333-5353
- Food Bank of East Alabama: 355 Industry Dr, Auburn, AL 36832; (334) 821-9006
- Feeding the Gulf Coast: 5248 Mobile S St, Theodore, AL 36582; (251) 653-1617
- Wiregrass Area Food Bank: 382 Twitchell Rd, Dothan, AL 36303; (334) 794-9775
Debt collection laws
Income and employment statistics
Many states experienced a major increase in unemployment, including Alabama. In April 2020, the state’s unemployment rate was 13.7%. By August 2022, it had dropped to 2.6%. This is noticeably lower than the national average of 3.5%.
Currently, Alabama is ranked 45th in terms of job growth. In August, there were over 36,000 new jobs created in the state.
Alabama is both a “right-to-work” state and an “employment-at-will” state, meaning:
- Right-to-work: This means new workers have the right to join a union or not upon employment. However, it also means that there are not many protections in place for employees. For example, workers in a right-to-work state receive, on average, $1,500 less each year than in other states.
- Employment-at-will: This means that employers can fire their employees for any reason, or no reason at all. Because of this, employees often experience less job security than in other states. There are a few exceptions to this. For instance, an employer cannot terminate a worker due to discrimination, taking time off for specific reasons (ex. family medical), or leaving for active duty.
How to apply for unemployment benefits
If you need to file for unemployment benefits, fill out an application on the Alabama Department of Labor website. Alternatively, file a claim on the phone here: 1-866-234-5382.
The application process is straightforward and requires a few things, such as:
- Your government ID (ex. driver’s license) and Social Security number
- Mother’s maiden name
- Details about your most recent employment
File as soon as possible since it can take a few weeks for you to receive your first benefits payment.
For more information, refer to the Alabama Department of Labor.
Banking and taxes
Alabama has something called “graduated individual income tax.” This means that the tax rate increases as income does. The rate also changed based on whether you’re married or single.
Here’s how Alabama income tax works for single filers:
- 2% for the first $500
- 4% for the next $2,500
- 5% for anything above $3,000
For those who file jointly, the income tax is:
- 2% for the first $1,000
- 4% for the next $5,000
- 5% for anything above $6,000
Sales tax in Alabama is generally 4% for anything classified as entertainment or general use. For a breakdown of different sales and tax rates, check with the Alabama Department of Revenue.
As for banking, 7.6% of Alabama residents were unbanked in 2019. Since the state’s estimated population is 5,039,877, that’s around 383,030 people without a checking or savings account.
Housing market
According to Zillow’s findings, the average home value in Alabama is $215,294 — a 15.8% increase over the past year. This is over $100,000 less than the average home value in the U.S., which is $356,026.
Around 69.2% of Alabama residents own and live in their own home.
The average mortgage payment is $1,147 per month. The average rent payment depends on the city. For example, it’s $1,278 in Birmingham, the most populated city in the state.
Some Alabama residents also benefit from a homestead exemption. Eligibility depends on things like age, whether the homeowner has a qualifying disability, taxable income, and home type.
Retirement in Alabama
The average Alabama resident has $395,563 saved for retirement. To live comfortably during retirement, it’s recommended to have at least $560,062 set aside.
Average insurance premiums
The standard car insurance premium in Alabama is around $1,424 annually. This breaks down to about $118 a month.
As for home insurance, Alabamians spend an average of $1,597 a year for a home valued at $250,000.
Payday lending status: Legal
Payday loans are legal in Alabama, despite the predatory nature of payday lenders.
Alabama does have certain payday loan laws restricting the way lenders operate in the state. For example, there’s a cap on the maximum principal loan amount and interest rates. Unfortunately, these limits don’t protect consumers as much as they should.
Birmingham, Alabama ranked #10 on DebtHammer’s list of U.S. cities with the worst payday lending problems.
Payday loan terms and debt limits
- Maximum loan amount: $500
- Maximum Interest Rate (APR): 456.25% on a 14-day loan with a $100 principal
- Minimum loan term: 10 days
- Maximum loan term: 31 days
Alabama’s statute of limitations on debt
The statute of limitations is the period in which a creditor or debt collector can legally take you to court to try to collect on the debt. Once it expires, the debt becomes time-barred.
In Alabama, the statute of limitations is as follows:
- Mortgage debt: 6 years
- Medical debt: 6 years
- Credit card: 3 years
- Auto loan debt: 4 years
- State tax debt: 10 years
Help for Veterans
Alabama is home to about 359,506 Veterans. Alabama’s Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs offers resources that can help veterans facing unemployment, homelessness, or other financial hardships.
Facilities in Alabama
Alabama has three full-service VA hospitals. They’re located in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and Tuskegee. There are several smaller clinics scattered across the state.
There are 63 Veterans service offices in Alabama. Here are some of the main ones.
Baldwin County Veterans Service Office
- Baldwin County Satellite Courthouse
- 201 East Section Avenue, Foley, AL 36535
- (251) 937-0218
Montgomery/Bullock/Lowndes County Veterans Service Office
- Montgomery Co. Courthouse
- Annex II, 125 Washington Ave Second Floor, Room 220 Montgomery, AL 36102
- (334) 832-1392
Shelby County Veterans Service Office
- 127 1st Street SW, Alabaster, AL 35067
- (205) 624-3162
Marshall County Veterans Service Office
- Marshall County Courthouse
- 424 Blount Avenue, Suite 34 Guntersville, AL 35976
- (256) 571-7761
Looking for a specific office? Check out this service finder map.
Employment resources for Veterans
If you’re a Veteran looking for employment resources, here are some to check out:
- CareerOneStop: This site provides information for those looking for job resources. It has an online portal you can use to find available jobs.
- VeteranRecruiting.com: This is geared towards Veterans and military spouses looking for employment. It also has a virtual recruitment center with online career fairs.
- Helmets to Hardhats: Located throughout the U.S., this program helps active military members and Veterans transition into civilian careers in the construction industry.
- Hiring Our Heroes: Operating nationwide, this program helps Veterans and other associated individuals through networking, career, and education opportunities.
- My Next Move: This site lets you find potential careers based on your skills while in the military. There’s also a section for non-veterans looking for a job.
- Warriors to Work: This program also helps Veterans via career counseling, resume assistance, and more. It’s part of the Wounded Warrior Project.
- Still Serving Veterans: Here, you can find help finding a career and transitioning into civilian life.
The bottom line
Whether you’re looking to get out of debt or want to improve your financial situation, Alabama has many resources and programs that can help. This includes everything from temporary financial hardship relief to job resources for military personnel. Whatever you need, the best thing you can do is be aware of your options — and rights — as an individual.
FAQs
This depends on the type of debt, but most debt can be collected for 3 to 6 years. State tax debt, however, can be collected for 10 years.
It usually begins once you miss a payment. The period can restart if you make a payment at any time.
Alabama is classified as an equitable distribution state. What this means in terms of debt is that any debt accrued during marriage is split between the parties. It may not be a 50/50 split, however.
If your spouse had a specific debt before marriage, or if the debt is strictly tied to them, they are usually responsible for repaying it. When in doubt, gather any related documents and speak with a divorce attorney.
