Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

1. Why should I choose CCCS?

2. How can you help me?

3. How are your services designed to meet my needs?

4. What are your fees?

5. How are you funded?

6. What areas do you serve?

7. What are your hours of operation?

8. How long do counseling sessions take?

9. What should I bring to my budget and credit counseling session?

10. Why is it important to work with certified consumer credit counselors?

11. Is counseling confidential?

12. Can a counselor give legal opinions on my options?

Debt Management Program (DMP)

1. What is a Debt Management Program?

2. What are the benefits of a DMP?

3. Will a DMP damage my credit report score?

4. How long will a DMP last?

5. Will I be able to get credit again after being on a DMP?

6. Can CCCS stop legal action and collector phone calls?

7. Can everyone participate in a DMP?

8. What debts are covered in a DMP?

9. Are there any debts CCCS can’t work with?

10. Will most creditors work with CCCS?

11. Do we have to continue to work with the creditors while we are on a DMP?

12. Why will creditors reduce payments through CCCS but not necessarily on an individual basis to me?

13. How do you work with creditors?

Reverse Mortgages

1. Who is Eligible?

2. How They Work

3. What You Get

4. What You Pay

5. What Else You Should Know

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1. Why should I choose CCCS?

For over 50 years, Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) has helped thousands of people learn to manage money, balance their budgets and get out of debt through comprehensive personal finance education and credit counseling.

We are more than just a debt-counseling organization. Our programs and services help people in all stages of their financial lives take the next step towards personal money management success.

Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, we have over 50 local offices in 8 states – Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida, Kansas, Missouri, Indiana and Western Pennsylvania – and help people in additional states through telephone and Internet counseling.

Here’s how we are different:

• Experienced: The nation’s first and oldest consumer credit counseling agency - a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
  
  
• Consumer-focused: Comprehensive, confidential counseling that addresses individual financial situations and identifies options in the person’s best interests
  
  
• Convenient: While more than 60% of CCCS counseling is done in-person at local offices, telephone and Internet counseling also available to meet your scheduling needs.
  
  
• Well-Qualified:
• CCCS counselors certified through the National Foundation for Credit Counseling
• Comprehensive money management programs accredited through the Council on Accreditation for Children and Family Services


• Professional:
• CCCS is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling and the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies
• We are a member in good standing with the Better Business Bureau


• Committed to Communities:
• Local offices
• Financial education and outreach programs
• We’re involved in partnerships to help our communities with issues such as foreclosure prevention, asset-building and financial education in the workplace.

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2. How can you help me?

CCCS helps individuals and families prevent and solve money difficulties. We have the resources, advice and financial solutions you need to help you where ever you are in your financial journey.

At confidential, one-on-one counseling sessions, our certified counselors assist you with all kinds of money-related issues from housing to debt, credit or bankruptcy problems. The information you receive at your session may be enough. If not, we offer other services that might be more beneficial, including workshops and self-help education.

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3. How are your services designed to meet my needs?

Our professional counselors are here for you whether you need help with a debt problem, buying your first home, understanding your credit, or learning how a reverse mortgage works. Every person’s situation is different so whatever action steps or advice CCCS offers will be tailored to fit your specific needs.

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4. What are your fees?

There is no charge for your first general counseling session. If you decide to participate in a Debt Management Program (DMP), the DMP set up fee is $25 and the monthly fee is $25. CCCS will not deny this service due to an inability to pay. Your counselor will discuss this in more detail with you. There may be reasonable fees for some of our other services.

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5. How are you funded?

As a non-profit, we rely on grants, voluntary contributions from creditors who participate in our debt management plans, donations from financial institutions, and client fees for our funding.

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6. What areas do you serve?

Click here to see where CCCS is licensed and has offices. If you live outside our areas, we can refer you to an accredited agency near you.

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7. What are your hours of operation?

We are available by phone Eastern Standard Time:
Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Our office hours vary by location. Please call the office near you for its hours.

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8. How long do counseling sessions take?

A budget and credit counseling session usually lasts about 60-90 minutes.

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9. What should I bring to my initial budget and credit counseling session?

To get the most from your counseling session, it is very important to bring:
Current statements from your creditors - (within the last 60 days)
A current paycheck stub or proof of income
A list and amounts of all your monthly expenses (rent, utilities, food, etc.)

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10. Why is it important to work with certified consumer credit counselors?

Our certified consumer credit counselors are experts who tailor confidential programs to meet each person’s specific needs. They help people understand their situations and help them regain control of their finances. Our counselors have a background in finance and/or counseling, and pass a series of rigorous examinations to ensure that consumers get the best guidance possible.

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11. Is counseling confidential?

Unless we have a client's written permission, counselors don’t discuss a client's financial situation with anyone other than the client, and client records are kept in secure facilities.

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12. Can a counselor give legal opinions on my options?

No. Only an attorney can provide opinions about legal issues. We will certainly discuss any topic, but will not suggest or recommend a specific course of action calling for legal representation.

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Debt Management Program (DMP)

1. What is a Debt Management Program (DMP)?

A Debt Management Program is a voluntary debt repayment program that serves the dual role of helping people repay their unsecured debts and helping creditors receive the money owed to them. Typical debts included in a DMP are credit cards, medical bills, and collection accounts. A comprehensive initial session determines if this program is a suitable option. CCCS negotiates an agreement with creditors to accept a new monthly payment amount. The client sends the total monthly payment to CCCS who distributes the payments to the creditors on a monthly basis.

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2. What are the benefits of a DMP?

Most people find that a Debt Management Program provides a structured way to continue making payments on unsecured debts during a time of financial upheaval.

Once the payment arrangements are in place, collection calls generally stop.

Many creditors will reduce or eliminate interest/late fees for clients paying through the Debt Management Program. Some creditors will reage a delinquent account back to a current status after three consecutive payments.

Clients can make weekly, biweekly or monthly payments to CCCS or choose to have the payment automatically withdrawn from a checking or saving s account for even more convenience.

Throughout the DMP program, clients have counselor, customer services, and research staff to answer questions and assist them to complete the payment program successfully.

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3. Will a DMP affect my credit report and credit score?

How credit reports or access to new credit will be affected in the future depends on the view of the prospective creditor. Some creditors will see enrollment in a DMP as negative, but others will regard it as a sincere and responsible attempt to satisfy one's financial obligations.

Typically, repaying your debts through a DMP gradually improves your credit score. Most, but not all, creditors will change your account status from past due to current once they accept your DMP and receive three consecutive on time payments.
 
According to Fair, Isaac & Company, the creators of the scoring system used to determine a person’s credit worthiness, the system ignores any reference to your enrollment in a Debt Management Program.
 


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4. How long does a DMP last?

Our clients average 3 years to repay 100% of what they owe. In some cases, the repayment time can take 4-5 years. During your counseling session, your counselor will estimate your payoff time.

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5. Will I be able to get credit again after being on a DMP?

For most clients, the answer is yes. However, some creditors may attempt to charge clients in these situations slightly higher fees. So be sure to shop around for the best interest rate and terms.
 
It is important to note that many of our clients actually find their credit improves after they successfully complete a DMP. This results in a higher credit score that enables you to get better terms on loans, credit cards, etc.

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6. Can CCCS stop legal action and collector phone calls?

In most cases, if you join our DMP, CCCS works toward a positive solution that will satisfy both creditors and clients. This may stop certain legal proceedings. But only as long as you continue making on-time payments through CCCS. The key is to meet with us as soon as possible. Some calls may continue but creditor questions can be referred to CCCS.

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7. Can everyone participate in a DMP?

Our DMP is not for everyone. A third of our clients just need some guidance to handle their own affairs. This includes reviewing their budgets, discussing options and exploring resources outside of CCCS services. Some families don't qualify for a DMP because they don't have enough income to put toward their debt after paying their monthly living expenses. If this is the case, we can help them understand their financial options.

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8. What debts are covered in a DMP?

DMPS mostly deal with credit card balances, collections, medical bills and other types of unsecured debts. Secured debts, such as car loans or home mortgages, are not included in a DMP. By helping clients reduce their unsecured monthly debt, we often make it easier for them to meet their secured debt payments.

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9. Are there any debts CCCS can’t work with?

We can’t help with some personal loans or utility bills on your current residence. Usually, we can’t help with parking and traffic tickets, bounced checks, or student loans. In addition, most cash advance companies don’t participate in our program, but we can often suggest repayment options.

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10. Will most creditors work with CCCS?

Yes. while most creditors are not equipped to make individual arrangements with each consumer, they are supportive of CCCS. Creditors also recognize the need for the financial education we offer. Our professional counselors can evaluate your situation and recommend a solution to your financial problems.

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11. Do we have to continue to work with the creditors while we are on a DMP?

While you’re in the DMP, we ask that you keep in touch with your creditors and respond to them in a positive way. Let them know you’re using our services and give them the information they request. However, don’t make any arrangements that conflict with your DMP. Call us or have the creditor call us if you have a money emergency and need to change your payments.

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12. Why will creditors reduce payments through CCCS but not necessarily on an individual basis to me?

We serve as a neutral third party and our program is accepted and endorsed by most creditors. We have a good working relationship with the creditor community. Creditors will make concessions through CCCS because they know we treat all creditors equally and have a reputation for offering complete budget counseling. And they know CCCS only sets up repayment programs for those who have a realistic chance for success.

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13. How do you work with creditors?

CCCS proposes a payment in writing to your creditors. If one is not accepted, we will negotiate on your behalf to get acceptance as close to the proposed amount as possible. CCCS certified counselors continue communications with creditors to confirm acceptance of proposed payments and continued cooperation.

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Reverse Mortgages

1. Who is Eligible?

One owner must be at least 62 years old. At least one owner must live in the home for the majority of the year. Single family dwellings are eligible. Most programs also accept 2 to 4 unit owner-occupied dwellings, along with some condominiums and manufactured homes. Cooperatives and mobile homes are usually not eligible.

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