• Set up workable spending and payment plans, show you ways to reduce spending, increase income, save, and set goals for the future, especially if you are living payday to payday, having problems paying bills, and can't make ends meet.
• Help you decide if a debt consolidation loan is in your best interest.
• Provide information to help you decide if you can afford to buy a home or auto.
• Help you obtain, understand, and dispute errors on your credit report; explain credit scores and your consumer rights.
• If you are unable to handle your debt load on your own and you qualify for a debt management program (DMP), you may be referred to an appropriate credit counseling agency for further assistance with your non-Credit Union debt. A DMP is a plan to help you get out of debt and hopefully avoid bankruptcy. You make one monthly payment to a credit counseling agency who pays each of your creditors. You are charged a monthly fee. The agency negotiates lower interest and payments, if possible. You must agree to not incur any new debt while on the program. To qualify for a DMP, you must have enough income (after living expenses are subtracted from net income) to meet your creditors' minimum required payments.
• If you are past due on your mortgage, or auto payments, or need help paying taxes, the counselor may be able to assist you in making payment arrangements.
• Provide you with several better alternatives, if you are considering bankruptcy