{
  "id": 11247323,
  "title": "How do you qualify for credit card debt consolidation?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/how-do-you-qualify-for-credit-card-debt-consolidation",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-01T17:42:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CBS News",
    "slug": "cbs-news",
    "url": "https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-do-you-qualify-for-credit-card-debt-consolidation/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Debt consolidation can help individuals struggling with credit card debt by combining multiple balances into a single, more manageable loan. However, eligibility criteria vary depending on the type of consolidation.\n\nFor traditional debt consolidation loans, lenders usually require a good to excellent credit score (670 or higher), a debt-to-income ratio of 50% or less, stable income, a stable employment history, and a debt amount within their acceptable range. Secured loans may require collateral, such as home equity.\n\nDebt consolidation programs offered by debt relief companies generally have more lenient requirements. Applicants typically need a minimum unsecured debt amount (around $7,500 to $10,000), demonstrate financial hardship, have some regular income, and possess a fair credit score. Note that secured debts like mortgages or auto loans do not qualify.",
  "summary": "There are a couple of debt consolidation options to consider, each with its own set of requirements for borrowers.",
  "key_points": [
    "Good to excellent credit score (670+) required for traditional loans",
    "Debt-to-income ratio must be 50% or less",
    "Debt consolidation programs have more lenient requirements"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}