New 2026 Edition of Surviving Debt Offers Expanded Resources for People Struggling in Affordability Crisis

April 14, 2026 — Press Release

Free Online Guide Provides New Resources for Dealing with Medical Debt, Student Debt, Disaster Relief, and Property Tax Foreclosures

BOSTON — As families across the country struggle to afford health care, housing, and everyday essentials, the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) has released the 2026 edition of Surviving Debt. This trusted, expert guide provides a comprehensive, easy-to-read overview of how to survive debt, from defending against harassing debt collectors to accessing relief programs. This update includes practical advice to manage medical debt and student loans, recover from the financial consequences of natural disasters, and keep homes in the family, among many other topics. 

Available free online, Surviving Debt provides actionable advice to people and families struggling to maintain financial stability during an affordability crisis. 

“Growing medical debt and ballooning monthly student loan payments are pushing families to the brink,” said Diane Thompson, deputy director and chief advocacy officer at NCLC. “Surviving Debt gives people clear, practical information about their rights and options, so they can chart a path toward financial stability.” 

Written by national experts on consumer law, the 2026 edition of Surviving Debt includes updates and new advice on: 

• Medical debt relief, including updates on Medicaid, Medicare, and marketplace coverage; 
• Student loans and student loan cancellation, including current changes to student loan relief, consolidation, and forgiveness; 
• Property tax guidance and advice on avoiding foreclosure and keeping inherited properties in the family;
• Avoiding car repossessions;
• Natural disaster relief;
• Strategies for dealing with debt collectors; and
• Tips to avoid scams and fraud.

The digital edition of Surviving Debt is free online. It links to free documents and forms, such as a sample “stop contact” letter to send to debt collectors and a “dispute” letter to contest alleged debts. It includes charts to keep track of debts and expenses and help map a path to financial recovery. 

Surviving Debt is also available as a paperback. Bulk pricing is available through www.nclc.org/library. Copies are available for review.

Expert Praise for Surviving Debt:

“The best all-around guide to navigating debt.”

— Business Insider

“A wealth of expert legal advice on dealing with an overwhelming debt burden.”

 — Senator Elizabeth Warren, Founder, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

“Outstanding manual. Seldom is such useful, authoritative information available for so small a price.”

 — Booklist

“A gold mine on topics like how to handle collectors, which debts to pay first, and how collection lawsuits work.”

 — U.S. News and World Report

“Great advice, from the nation’s experts, on how to pull yourself out of debt.”

 — Jane Bryant Quinn

 “The best book available for consumers in financial trouble.”

 — Stephen Brobeck, former Executive Director, Consumer Federation of America