Please read the following statements carefully so that you will understand the procedures for the counseling session. For simplification the singular is used even when the plural may apply.
The agency will provide a free confidential comprehensive personal money management interview. Clients responsible to give the agency accurate information, to the best of my abilities, regarding all income, expenses, and debt.
The interview will be conducted by a certified consumer credit counselor or qualified professional counselor. All action plans, not conducted by a certified consumer credit counselor, will be reviewed by a certified consumer credit counselor.
Clients can utilize the Client Complaint Procedure, if requested, a copy of policy and procedure is available on request.
Most of the agency's funding comes from creditors participating in Debt Management Plans. Since creditors have a financial interest in getting paid, they are sometimes willing to make a contribution (up to 15 percent of each payment received) to help fund the agency. However, client's accounts with their creditors will always be credited with one hundred percent (100%) of the amount paid.
CCCS will work with all creditors regardless of whether or not they contribute to your agency.
Clients will hold the agency, its employees, agents and volunteers harmless from any claim, suit, action or demand of my creditors, themselves, or any other person resulting from advice or counseling. Nothing herein shall apply to actions or claims under the provisions of the United States Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 101 et seq.
Clients will be given a written assessment outlining a suggested client action plan which will be based on the following options:
Client will handle any financial concerns on their own.
Client may choose to enroll, if they qualify, in the agency's Debt Management Plan that addresses most unsecured and some secured debt and CCCS may obtain a copy of their credit report. (Receipt of the financial counseling services does not automatically guarantee that clients can participate in the agency's Debt Management Plan.) A small monthly fee of not more than $35, a setup fee of up to $25 (for Oregon residents only), and a one-time education fee of $15 (for Oregon residents) $40 (for California residents) is asked of each client. All fees are voluntary and participation is not denied to clients who indicate that they cannot or prefer not to pay.
Under the Debt Management Plan the agency serves as a neutral third party in negotiating with creditors to liquidate financial obligations. The agency provides counseling on managing secured debt, but only includes unsecured debt on a Debt Management Plan.
Participation in a debt management repayment program may change information on a clients' credit report. If a clients' credit report reflects that they have paid creditors as agreed in the past, a debt management plan could have a negative impact on a credit worthiness decision by a potential creditor, landlord, or employer in the future. Although CCCS does not report to credit reporting agencies, creditors may report that a client is on a debt repayment plan, and may not be paying as originally agreed although they have accepted the reduced payment.
Debts repaid through a debt management plan, may be able to be discharged through bankruptcy. Counselors cannot provide legal advice.
Clients will be referred to the other services of the organization, another agency, or agencies as appropriate that may be able to assist with particular problems that have been identified. Clients have the right to use or reject the suggested referrals.
Please indicate you have read and understand each provision.
