Do I have to send credit cards payment they ask?

I am 54, disabled and owe over $8000 in credit card debt. My only income is a Social Security disability check. I have no savings or resources. Can I send the credit card companies what I can afford each month instead of what they list as minimum payment? The sum of these payments is placing a tremendous hardship on me. I have kept all payments up to date by going without other things. I tried a credit counseling agency, but the monthy payment they asked for was just a few dollars less than what I was paying. I dropped out. I want to pay my bills. I just can't keep up much longer with the high amount of the payments.
Thank you.

to add that I am in Georgia.