How We Help

There are a variety of Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies available. When you contact A Family Budget Counseling, Inc., our professionally trained Counselors will help you choose the Consumer Credit Counseling Services that fit your individual needs.

Credit counseling provides a connection between consumers and lenders.  Many people simply do not have the time or skills to negotiate with all creditors they owe money to.

You are someone who could benefit from speaking with one of our Certified Credit Counselors to learn different options to get out of debt. Our counseling sessions are free and the information we provide to you is fitting to your particular circumstances and your particular financial situation. You will also learn about other related subjects which will help you to avoid further debt.

The credit counselor is a professional problem solver:

Our workshop teaches you how to manage your money, set goals, budgeting, understanding the inner workings of a credit card statement, loans, unsecured personal and Home Equity Loans, when a debt collector calls, having great Christmas fun at little cost, and the last resort bankruptcy.

If you're reading this sentence right now, then you have already taken the FIRST step in deciding to become DEBT FREE!

The SECOND step is a more of a proactive role that MUST be taken by YOU. Because the first step is always the hardest, the steps to follow are relatively simple and you will have guidance with each one. You will be required to complete an Enrollment Application. Upon completion you are NOT obligate to enroll. Rather, its purpose is to assist the Credit Counselor assigned in performing a complete Budget Analysis to see if you in fact qualify for our Debt Management Program (DMP).

If you qualify the enrollment process will begin. Your Credit Counselor will have already calculated a new monthly payment amount. The next step is determining a monthly payment due date. Once this date is agreed upon, your payment should arrive into our payment center on or about the same time each month. Upon receipt of your first payment, AFBC will contact each of your creditors. After they have accepted the new payment terms interest rates will be *adjusted accordingly and if accounts are past due, many will “re-age” or bring your accounts current.

Once accepted, your new monthly payment arrangement will remain the same throughout the duration of the program.

While enrolled in the DMP you will continue to receive monthly statements from each individual creditor on the program. You will also be receiving a monthly Trust Report generated from AFBC. DO NOT throw either of these documents away. It is strongly recommended that each client compare OUR Trust Report with the creditor statements to make sure each payment has posted correctly. After thoroughly checking, simply file them away.

*Please note some creditors may require consecutive payments prior to any interest rate adjustments.

Credit Counseling Process Flow Chart

Financial Education and counseling offered to the consumer

  1. Consumer offered Free Education & Counseling
    1. The advantages/disadvantages of consumer credit counseling discussed
    2. Extensive budget analysis completed with client, covering income, expenses, liabilities and assets
    3. Educational tools used for educational counseling
    4. All possible solutions to the situation discussed with clients
    5. Root cause for debt investigated and an action plan discussed
    6. Free monthly newsletter and educational programs offered
    7. Referral to other resources as needed
  2. Consumers that are either not suitable or not interested in a DMP
    1. Free monthly newsletter and educational program offered
    2. Referred to agencies web site for Educational materials
    3. Referral to other resources as needed
  3. Client suitable for a Debt Management not interested in a DMP Plan
    1. Monthly payment calculated
    2. DMP requirements reviewed again with clients for suitability to consumer needs
    3. Documentation sent to consumer for signature(s) and completion
    4. Referral to other resources as needed
    5. Client returns signed client agreement documentation
    6.  Full review of client documentation undertaken for completeness and accuracy

Free education programs offered and provided for the general public and clients