Counseling Services
- 1. Education
Credit Advocates provides counseling, literature, and resources to educate consumers on all aspects of their credit situation. We also provide budgeting tools and information on how to improve a consumer’s credit profile.
- 2. Budgets Developed
Credit Advocates works with consumers to create and develop personal budgets. Credit Advocates has developed a comprehensive budgeting program where consumers can learn how to manage their income and expenses. Our budgeting program is designed to give consumers clarity in determining how to achieve a realistic program of monthly spending.
- 3. Debt Management Plans
The benefits of the Debt Management Plan “DMP” are lowered monthly payments, dramatically reduced interest rates, and waived late & overlimit fees. We take your outstanding credit card bills and consolidate them into one monthly payment. You issue one payment per month to Credit Advocates and each of your creditors receives a portion of your monthly payments. You will still receive your billing statements from your creditors with your payments indicated, so you can monitor your payments easily. The accounts placed in the program would be closed by the consumer.
- 4. Outreach Seminars
Our staff visits institutions directly for at no cost. We provide free literature to the members of the audience regarding personal finance as well as credit and debt management. Presentations focus on issues relevant to the specific audience, which are determined with organizational coordinators. Q&A sessions are given, where consumers questions and concerns are addressed. Free counseling is offered to the attendees. We have experience serving a diverse audience, from participating in employee assistance programs (EAP), conducting classroom seminars, working with family shelters, and addressing community centers with individuals of all ages.
- 5. Public School Outreach
Credit Advocates works with New York public schools to deliver financial literacy programs to students in a classroom setting. Credit Advocates uses lesson plans to inform students from how to open a checking account to starting a career. Students are provided with financial tools, where each lesson is followed by a Q&A session. This procedure allows the counselor to continually improve lesson plans. In addition, pre and post testing are implemented to ensure the effectiveness of programs offered.
- 6. Consumer Credit Counseling Sessions
Credit Advocates is one of the very few New York based credit counseling agencies that offer face-to-face counseling with certified credit counselors. The option of telephone counseling is also able for consumers.
- 7. Pre-Bankruptcy Counseling/Certificate Issuance
Credit Advocates is approved to issue certificates in compliance with the Bankruptcy Code. Approval does not endorse or assure the quality of an Agency’s services. Credit Advocates will provide pre-filing credit counseling to consumers. A thorough assessment of your financial situation including establishing a budget analysis and the options available to help you will be provided. A certificate will be provided upon completion of the counseling session, which will enable you to proceed with the bankruptcy process. Counseling is available by phone or in person.
