JG Wentworth Debt Relief: OK in a Pinch; Consider Alternatives
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- Max. Loan Amount
- $250,000
- Min. credit score
- Not applicable
Our verdict
This debt relief provider could get you out of debt for less than you owe, but there are no guarantees, and fees can be steep.
JG Wentworth is a financial services firm that specializes in debt relief — aka debt settlement — along with a variety of other financial products. It says the average customer can become debt-free in 24 to 48 months and settle their debts for up to 50% of what they owe. But debt settlement is risky, and there’s no guarantee your creditors will settle. Plus, it’s expensive, with rates as high as 25% of your enrolled debt, and it’ll hurt your credit.
Best for: People on the brink of bankruptcy who don’t feel confident enough to negotiate settlements with creditors.
Pros
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Could settle your debts for less than you owe
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Fees not charged until a debt is settled
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Some private student loans may be eligible
Cons
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Fees up to 25%
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May cause a significant credit score drop
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No guarantee creditors will settle
Is JG Wentworth legit?
JG Wentworth is a legitimate financial services company that’s been in business for more than 30 years. It’s best known for buying out structured settlements and annuities and offering debt relief services. It also gives customers access to other financial products, including personal loans, insurance and credit cards.
What makes JG Wentworth shine?
For customers who are considering bankruptcy, enrolling in JG Wentworth’s debt relief program could provide an alternative way to become debt-free. While there are no guarantees, it’s possible to resolve your debts for less than you owe, giving you a second chance at financial freedom in a shorter time frame.
Where JG Wentworth falls short
Like any other debt relief company, fees can be high — up to 25% of your enrolled debt — and there is no guarantee you’ll be better off afterward. In fact, many customers report being in worse financial shape than when they started the program.
Customer reviews also suggest that JG Wentworth may not be entirely up front about the debt settlement process or the cost. It does provide those details on its website, but you’ll find them in the fine print, not front and center.
How much can I save?
Customers who complete the program could potentially save an average of 43% of what they owe, according to JG Wentworth. However, that figure doesn’t include fees paid to the company, meaning you may only save about 18% if your fee to JG Wentworth is 25%.
But keep in mind there is no guarantee that you’ll save anything at all — you could end up owing more than you started with.
How much does it cost?
After each debt is settled, JG Wentworth says it charges a fee of 18% to 25% of your enrolled debt, which can vary by state and debt load. For example, if you owe $20,000 to your Visa card, you’ll have to pay between $3,600 and $5,000 in fees.
JG Wentworth advertises “no hidden fees,” but it’s not clear if it charges other fees, such as account maintenance or setup fees. Be sure to read your agreement carefully to make sure you understand the total cost of the service.
Will JG Wentworth hurt my credit?
Yes. Part of the debt settlement process is to stop making monthly debt payments. This is because there’s no incentive for creditors to settle for less than you owe if they’re still getting paid. But when you don’t make your payments, that information gets reported to credit bureaus, causing your score to go down.
It’s important to note that payment history is the most heavily weighted part of your credit score. That also means it can do the most damage to your score and could take years to repair.
JG Wentworth details
| Free quote or consultation | Yes |
| Services | Debt relief |
| Minimum Debt | $10,000 |
| Average turnaround | 24 to 48 months |
| Fees | 18% to 25% |
| Types of debt | Most unsecured debts, including credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, lines of credit and some private student loans |
| Direct or third-party negotiations | Direct |
| Availability | Available in: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia |
Before you sign up with a debt relief company
Debt relief companies typically charge a percentage of a customer’s debt or a monthly program fee for their services. And not all companies are transparent about these costs or drawbacks that can negatively affect your credit score. Depending on the company you work with, you might pay other fees for third-party settlement services or setting up new accounts, which can leave you in a worse situation than when you signed up.
Consider alternatives before signing up with a debt relief company:
- Payment extensions. Companies you owe may be willing to extend your payment due date or put you on a longer payment plan if you ask.
- Nonprofit credit counseling. Look for free debt-management help from nonprofit organizations like the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.
- Debt settlement. If you can manage to pay a portion of the bill, offer the collection agency a one-time payment as a settlement. Collection agencies are often willing to accept a lower payment on your debt to close the account.
JG Wentworth contact info
| Phone number | 855-688-9669 |
| Customer service hours | Weekdays: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
| debt@jgwentworth.com | |
| X, formerly Twitter | @jgwentworth |
| JG Wentworth |
How to qualify for JG Wentworth
The company doesn’t specify the qualifications needed to enroll in debt relief, but here’s the common criteria required.
- At least $10,000 in debt
- Have qualifying debts (i.e., unsecured)
- Live in a state that JG Wentworth services
JG Wentworth debt relief isn’t available in all states. If you live somewhere JG Wentworth doesn’t operate, it may be able to connect you with a law firm that handles debt settlement in your state.
How does JG Wentworth work?
You can start the debt relief process online, but you’ll need to speak to someone on the phone to go over the details of your financial situation.
- Complete an initial consultation by phone.
- Read and sign the service agreement if you decide to proceed.
- Make equal monthly payments to a dedicated savings account.
- Wait while JG Wentworth attempts to negotiate your debts for less than you owe.
- Agree to the settlement if you and the creditor can comes to terms. JGW will make payments on your behalf.
How JG Wentworth compares to other providers
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JG Wentworth reviews and complaints
| BBB accredited | Yes |
|---|---|
| BBB rating | A+ |
| BBB customer reviews | 3.12 out of 5 stars, based on 188 customer reviews |
| Trustpilot Score | 4.8 out of 5 stars, based on 17,614 customer reviews. |
| Customer reviews verified as of | 08 July 2025 |
A few people on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) say JG Wentworth has good customer service and is slowly helping them get out of debt. But others say its debt relief service is a waste of time, and it just takes your money and doesn’t help — but they’ll say anything to get you to sign up. Others state they would have been better off negotiating settlements on their own or taking out a debt consolidation loan instead.
The company has many positive reviews on Trustpilot, with customers often praising their representatives by name. But a large volume of good reviews is from people who are just getting started. Others say this program is costing them more than they owe, the process is frustrating and disappointing, and communication is poor. A few say their creditors are now suing them, or they didn’t feel JG Wentworth fully explained the program to them.
What do people on Reddit say?
Risks of debt settlement
Before you commit to a debt relief program, consider these important risks.
- Additional debt. You’ll continue to accrue interest and incur late fees as you go through the process, making your debt burden even higher.
- Damage to credit. When you stop making debt payments, creditors report this information to credit bureaus, which can cause your score to drop dramatically.
- Potential lawsuits. Some creditors — especially large national banks — may decide to sue you rather than settle.
- Tax implications. You may have to pay income taxes on the money you saved.
- No guarantees. Some or all creditors may refuse to settle for less than you owe.
Frequently asked questions
How much does JG Wentworth charge for debt relief?
In one section of its website, it says it charges between 18% and 25% for debt relief, but in the fine print, it simply states that it charges a 25% fee. Be sure to read your contract carefully to make sure you know exactly how much the fee is.
What percentage of your settlement does JG Wentworth take?
For debt relief, JG Wentworth doesn’t take a percentage of your settlement. It takes a percentage of your enrolled debt — the total amount you owe before settling. For example, if your total enrolled debt is $50,000, the company would take 18% to 25% of that, or between $9,000 and $12,500, regardless of what you settle for.
Are there JG Wentworth loans?
Not exactly. In a partnership with MoneyLion, JG Wentworth provides a loan referral service. The company is not a lender and doesn’t make decisions about loan approval.
What’s the JG Wentworth commercial about?
JG Wentworth’s award-winning “Viking Opera” commercial — 877-CASH-NOW — promotes its product, where it offers to buy out your structured settlement, in part or entirely, in exchange for cash. Or, you can also take out cash against your annuity, lottery winnings or future settlements.
Your reviews
Lacey Finder
Writer
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