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US Financial Relief

General Debt Settlement

A mid-size Southern California settlement company with a decade of experience and standard results — reliable but undifferentiated in a crowded market

3.5
(1,100+ reviews)
Michael Chen Written by Michael Chen, CFA, CFP
Rachel Kim Reviewed by Rachel Kim, JD, CRCM
Updated: March 9, 2026

At a Glance

Founded
2014
Headquarters
Los Angeles, CA
Employees
75-150
Total Resolved
$180M+
Min Debt
$7,500
BBB Rating
A-

Rating Breakdown

Performance Overview

Scores out of 5, based on our editorial analysis

About US Financial Relief

US Financial Relief is a debt settlement company based in Los Angeles, California, founded in 2014. They have resolved approximately $180 million in consumer debt across their decade-plus of operations. The company serves consumers with $7,500 or more in unsecured debt and operates in approximately 38 states. Honest assessment: US Financial Relief is a competent, mid-tier settlement company without a clear differentiating feature. They do not have the volume of Freedom, the ratings of National Debt Relief, the hardship specialization of New Day Financial, or the low fees of budget operators. What they offer is a standard debt settlement service executed adequately by experienced staff. That is not necessarily a criticism. Most consumers just need their debts settled competently and do not need a company with a unique value proposition. US Financial Relief charges 18-25% of enrolled debt on a performance basis and produces settlement results in the 45-52% range. If you end up with them, you will likely get an acceptable outcome. Whether you could do better with a different company depends on your specific debt profile and priorities.

Key Features

Decade of Operations

Operating since 2014 gives them creditor relationships and institutional knowledge that newer companies lack.

Assigned Account Manager

You get a dedicated contact who handles your account throughout the program.

FDIC-Insured Escrow

Monthly deposits are held in an FDIC-insured account in your name.

No Upfront Fees

Performance-based pricing. You pay nothing until settlements are completed and approved.

Free Consultation

Initial debt evaluation is free and covers your options beyond just settlement.

How It Works

1

Free Consultation

Speak with a debt analyst who reviews your debts, income, and options.

2

Program Enrollment

Enroll unsecured debts and set up your monthly deposit schedule.

3

Escrow Building

Deposits accumulate while negotiators begin creditor outreach.

4

Settlement

Debts are negotiated individually. You approve all settlements before payment.

5

Program Completion

Settled debts are paid from escrow. Program runs 24-48 months.

What They Do

  • Debt Settlement
  • Debt Negotiation
  • Creditor Communication
  • Financial Consultation

Debt Types They Take On

  • Credit Cards
  • Medical Bills
  • Personal Loans
  • Store Cards
  • Collections

Fee & Cost Structure

Fee Structure
Performance-based — 18-25% of enrolled debt
Average Fees
20-25%
Timeline
24-48 months

Regulatory & Trust

BBB Rating
A-
CFPB Complaints
48 (last 3 years)
Accreditations
BBB A-
States Served
38 states

Review Summary

3.6
Trustpilot
3.5
Google
1,100+
Total Reviews

Notable Case Studies

Post-Divorce Credit Card Debt

Client assigned $36,000 in joint credit card debt in divorce settlement. Single income of $4,500/month could not support the $1,300/month in combined minimums while covering rent, car payment, and childcare.

All 5 accounts settled at an average of 47%. Total paid including fees (22%): $24,840. Program completed in 30 months with $800/month deposits.

Accumulated Consumer Debt

Client had $24,000 across 4 credit cards from years of gradual overspending. No specific hardship event — just expenses that outpaced income over time. Minimum payments of $760/month were manageable but the debt was barely decreasing due to interest.

Settled at an average of 50%. Total paid including fees (20%): $16,800. Program completed in 24 months.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Decade-plus of operations provides a reasonable track record and established creditor relationships
  • Standard performance-based model with no upfront fees
  • Dedicated account manager provides consistent service throughout the program
  • Free initial consultation evaluates all debt relief options, not just settlement

Cons

  • No clear differentiating feature — standard settlement service without unique methodology or technology
  • Fee range (18-25%) is on the higher end of the industry spectrum, especially the 25% ceiling
  • Settlement percentages (45-52%) are average — larger volume firms typically achieve 40-48%
  • BBB A- rating and no AFCC accreditation
  • Available in only 38 states
  • $180M total resolved puts them well below the scale of industry leaders

User Reviews (10)

3.4
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Showing 10 of 10 reviews
B
Bill
Oct 12, 2025

got me out of debt

Settled $30k in 28 months. That is all I wanted and they delivered. No drama, no surprises.

D
Denise M.
Sep 5, 2025

my rep was good

Account manager Jaime was responsive and straightforward. Settlements were in the high 40s which is what he said to expect. No over-promising.

D
Dan
Aug 30, 2025

medical debt settled well

My medical collections settled at 37% and 40%. Credit cards were higher at 48% and 51%. If you have a lot of medical debt the numbers work out OK. Credit card results were average at best.

A
Anonymous
Jul 25, 2025

worked for me

Worked for me.

L
Laura
Jun 14, 2025

no AFCC accreditation concerns me

After enrolling I realized they are not AFCC accredited. Freedom, National Debt Relief, Pacific Debt — all the companies I should have gone with are AFCC members. US Financial Relief is not. That means less third-party oversight. I completed the program with adequate results but the lack of accreditation would make me choose differently next time.

R
Rob
May 18, 2025

decent

decent

C
Christina
Mar 10, 2025

nothing special

Average settlements, average service, average company. Did the job but I wonder if I could have done better elsewhere. Fees at 22% felt high compared to other quotes I got but I had already enrolled.

F
former user
Jan 30, 2025

higher fees than quoted

Was quoted 20% during the consultation. Final fee structure came in at 23%. The sales person said "it depends on your state and debt types." That may be true but it felt like a bait and switch. Be very clear about the exact percentage before you sign anything.

M
Mike
Dec 22, 2024

meh

Average results for average fees. Not sure what the value proposition is compared to the bigger names. They settled my debts, which is what I paid for, so I cannot complain too much.

T
TERRIBLE SALES CALL
Aug 18, 2024

HIGH PRESSURE sales tactics

The sales call felt like buying a used car. "This rate is only available today." "I have a spot opening up in my portfolio this week." "If you wait your creditors might sue." Classic pressure tactics. When I said I wanted to compare other companies they called me FOUR MORE TIMES over the next two days. Lost any chance of my business with that approach. Desperate is not a good look.

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Frequently Asked Questions

They are a mid-tier operator. Settlement percentages (45-52%) are average, fees (18-25%) are standard to slightly high, and they lack the creditor volume that gives larger firms pre-approved settlement bands. If you need a company that will competently settle your debts, they can do that. If you want the best possible settlement percentages and are willing to research the market, larger companies like Freedom or National Debt Relief generally deliver better numerical outcomes.
They charge 18-25% of enrolled debt. That is on the higher end of the industry range. On $30,000 enrolled at 22%, total fees would be $6,600. A company charging 18% would save you $1,200 on the same enrollment. The fee percentage matters — always get quotes from multiple companies before deciding.
No. They hold a BBB A- rating but do not appear on the AFCC (American Fair Credit Council) membership list. AFCC accreditation requires adherence to a code of conduct and periodic audits. The absence of this accreditation is not necessarily a deal-breaker, but it means one less layer of third-party oversight compared to AFCC-accredited competitors.
Yes. They have operated since 2014, hold a BBB A- rating, and are registered in 38 states. The CFPB complaint count (48 in 3 years) is proportional to their client base. They are a real company providing a real service. Whether they are the best choice among real companies is a separate question.
Based on client reports, credit card settlements typically fall in the 45-52% range. Medical collections settle lower (35-45%). These are average industry results. You may do slightly better on some accounts and slightly worse on others. If you are expecting 35-40% settlements across the board, you are more likely to get those numbers from a high-volume firm.

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Important Debt Relief Disclaimers

  • Debt settlement programs may negatively affect your credit score. When you enroll, you typically stop making payments to creditors, which results in late payments, collections, and potential charge-offs on your credit report.
  • There is no guarantee that a debt settlement company can settle all of your debts or reduce them by a specific amount. Creditors are not required to negotiate or accept settlement offers.
  • Debt settlement fees are typically 15%-25% of the enrolled debt amount. You should not pay fees before a debt has been successfully settled. The FTC prohibits debt settlement companies from charging upfront fees before settling at least one debt.
  • Forgiven debt of $600 or more may be considered taxable income by the IRS. You may receive a Form 1099-C from creditors for canceled debt. Consult a tax professional about potential tax consequences.
  • Creditors may continue collection efforts, including lawsuits, wage garnishment, and bank levies, while you are enrolled in a debt settlement program. A debt settlement company cannot guarantee protection from legal action.
  • Alternatives to debt settlement include debt consolidation loans, credit counseling through nonprofit agencies, debt management plans, and bankruptcy. Consider all options and consult with a licensed financial advisor or attorney before enrolling in any debt relief program.
  • Zogby does not provide debt relief services. We are an independent comparison service. We do not negotiate with creditors on your behalf or manage debt settlement accounts.

This page is informational, not financial or legal advice. Talk to a qualified professional before making any big money decisions.

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We make money from some companies on this page. That doesn't change our rankings -- the editorial team scores every product independently, and the business side has no say in what we recommend.

Last Updated
March 9, 2026
Fact-Checked
March 7, 2026