Find a free non-profit credit counseling agency near you, in your state
Find details on local as well as national free not-for-profit credit counseling agencies that help struggling people get out of debt and/or repair credit. The non-profit organizations provide free services to low-income families or people that lack the money to pay for help. While the programs vary by organizations, in general credit counseling agencies offer debt relief from DMP plans, free credit score repair programs, debt consolidation and more. Locate a free credit counselor near you, that operates in your area or a national agency, listed below.
The non-profits are government certified and offer in person, telephone consultations and/or online advice. In addition to enrolling people into debt management plans to help in negotiating with creditors. There are also bankruptcy consultations, budgeting tips, car loan assistance, and tools that help people rebuild credit. In some cases, low income clients will even get free services from legal staff that may often be employed at an agency. The main categories include the following.
While each organization provides several types of support, they all focus on eliminating current debt(s) and ensuring budgeting/financial literacy going forward. As the overall goal of a credit counselor is to help clients regain financial stability.
List of national non-profit free credit counseling agencies
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The major national non-profit credit counseling tends to provide low income and other qualified borrowers assistance across a large number of states. Most of these credit counseling services will also be available online or over the phone, so face to face contact may not always be required.
Most of these non-profit organizations have toll free numbers that consumers can dial for help or a free consultation. Or scroll down to find a local branch in your state. Whether it is budgeting workshops, free debt assistance services, or money saving programs, help is offered. There is also dedicated free credit counseling for veterans or military members.
Advantage Credit Counseling Service offers qualified consumers an effective debt management program that addresses a wide variety of bills, ranging from medical to car loans, BNPL obligations or credit cards. They also help clients rebuild their credit scores. Counselors will clients support as they work to get out of or reduce their debts. They accomplish this by offering, mostly free of charge, debt management plans, confidential credit counseling, and various educational services.
- The Advantage CCS debt management program will help borrowers by reducing interest rates on the money they owe any lenders. There is also help in getting fees waived, entering into payment plans and providing other solutions. They also offer bankruptcy counseling. Dial 866-699-2227.
American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) has a number of debt reduction programs. They have branches across the country, so the staff from the not-for-profit bring a variety of credit counseling experience to clients including over the phone. Credit counselors from ACCC will work one on one with clients to offer them access to numerous financial solutions.
- The programs offered include direct negotiation with creditors or clients can enroll into a free or low cost debt management plan. ACCC also offers free budget counseling, information on hardship programs as well as services that save money. Or apply for bankruptcy, housing or foreclosure counseling, and debt settlements. Call 1-800-769-3571.
Christian credit counseling agencies - There are several non-profits that offer free faith based services. The assistance is open to people of all religions, not just Christian or Catholics. Many of the assistance programs, whether budgeting advice, credit card help, debt management plans, credit repair, or other assistance is similar to other agencies. However the services may be free or focus on living within means/giving back maybe more so than other groups. Continue with faith and Christian based credit counseling.
Better Business Bureau, or the BBB, has details on free non-profit debt and credit counseling organizations. The service will help consumers find the ratings and reviews on an agency before they enter into a debt management plan or other program. The BBB will help people find legitimate bankruptcy consultations, help housing issues such as mortgage delinquency, as well as places that help with excessive credit card and medical debts. Find more details here. https://www.bbb.org/us/category/credit-and-debt-counseling..
Consumer Credit Counseling Services (formerly known as Credit Counseling Centers of America) covers most states. Counselors from this non-profit organization, also referred to as CCCS, can provide people across the nation information on and access to a wide array of consumer credit programs. Borrowers, including low income families, can get free housing counseling, enrollment into debt reduction programs for individuals and families that may be undergoing some form of financial distress. Dial (800) 431-8157 or 1-800-493-2222.
 Consumer Education Services (CES) has free counselors that help people get out of debt and build financial literacy. The non-profit helps people fix their credit, offers housing counseling, information on debt settlement and help with predatory lenders and other services. Call (866) 635-6414
Evergreen Financial Counseling provides a wide variety of free credit counselor services, including pre-bankruptcy advice, help with budgeting and more. They work with lenders, credit card companies, borrowers and attorneys to find a solution. Call 800-581-3513
Financial Counseling Association of America (FCAA) is a nationwide organization of non-profit credit counseling agencies. It is a member focused agency however FCAA can help people find a debt or credit counselor for their specific needs and use their locator service here https://fcaa.org/find-a-credit-counselor/.
GreenPath Financial Wellness is a nationwide agency that offers a wide variety of solutions to struggling consumers, people in debt and homeowners. They have programs that will assist consumers with paying off credit card debts, mortgage payments or home loans, medical bills, and bankruptcy filings. Another focus is on helping a customer rebuild their credit scores, if it is low. The agency can be reached at 1-800-550-1961.
InCharge Debt Solutions - This non-profit focuses on medical and credit card debt as well as people with short term loans, such as BNPL or title loans. Everything from settlement to payment plans may be provided. They offer options to help consumers get out of debt. They are also a member of the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies, as are most of the other agencies listed here. One of the programs they encourage is debt arbitration. Call them at 1-800-565-8953.
Money Management International (MMI) claims to be the largest full service non-profit agency in the United States. MMI will provide assistance over both the internet and the phone. Like many of the other non-profit credit counseling organizations that operate locally or nationally, they also offer credit card help, bankruptcy advice, and education on guidance.
- Borrowers can also get both medical and credit card debt management assistance. The staff from the non-profit MMI also help with auto loan payments. There is also several mortgage and free foreclosure counseling programs. Phone 866-889-9347.
National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) coordinates many of the regional, state, and nationally based credit counseling agencies. Most counselors across the nation are accredited with this non-profit organization, and are a full fledged member.
- The programs they administer provide bankruptcy assistance, debt reduction programs, tips on getting out of student debt, and general information on options that are available to clients. NFCC also helps clients repair their credit. The phone number is 1-800-388-2227
Pioneer Credit Counseling - This agency operates nationwide and is focused on faith based principles. The credit counseling programs they offer are supported by Christian beliefs, but borrowers from any religion can get help. They provide debt reduction as well as management plans, and counseling to qualified families and individuals across the country. Call them at 800-888-1596 or 866-210-3591.
Springboard or Credit.org - They help people repair their credit and improve their FICO scores for free. Families may have access to lower interest rates on any future money they borrow as a result of the services. They also offer debt management plans on a limited basis. But this agency focuses on empowering people to solve their own financial difficulties. Phone 1 (800) 431-8157 or (800).431.8456.
Take Charge America - This organization has as its mission the goal of enabling people to solve their financial problems and to provide borrowers in need of help with the tools that they need to make good financial choices later in life. To this end they offer short term debt relief programs, and also longer term credit counseling as well as debt assistance to help people become self-sufficient over the long term. Call 866-528-0588 for a referral to a local branch.
There are hundreds of other national and regional non-profit credit counseling agencies in this country, some of which may be near you. They will offer free consultations, and maybe even full scale assistance, to low income families that need debt help. They assist with mortgages, credit cards, medical bills, budgeting, and provide other support. More information is at www.nfcc.org, and they help connect individuals to certified and approved credit counselors.
Additional debt relief programs from free credit counselors
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It is critical to have emergency savings. While this can be challenging for a low income family or one living in debt, non-profit credit counseling agencies can provide help. Counselors offer advice, information on opening a savings account, and assist the under-banked among others with building savings. It is critical to have money set aside, and learn how to do this. Find how to start or increase emergency savings.
Free Personal Financial Literacy is a partner website that teaches adults, kids, and entire families about finances. Learn how to invest into stocks or your retirement using only cents or dollars, get help budgeting and repairing credit, use technology to save and invest, and so much more. Continue with Financial Literacy Help.
Free and non-profit investment apps are an option as well. They will be automated tools that provide advice on saving, budgeting, investing (including for retirement) and many other services. The technology tools are created by banks, non-profit credit counseling companies, brokerages, and other companies. The services are also great for low income and struggling families. Learn how low income families can invest.
Military OneSource Program - This government program is administered by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. Members of the US military, veterans, and their family members, can enroll into free credit counseling sessions that is provided in part by the government.
- The service is offered for members who are based in the United States and also oversees. Clients will be able to meet with a non-profit counselor to get help with debt reduction, credit repair, mediation sessions, and even mortgage delinquency assistance. Confidential advice is offered either face to face or through telephone consultations. More on Military OneSource.
Each counselor will review the household’s financial situation, and then provide them with the options that are best for their family. For example, they may suggest the client pursue programs offered by credit card issuers that provide the borrower with credit card help. Most of the non-profit agencies have also created their own debt management plans. At the end of the day any client will be provided with various solutions and options.
Local, free non-profit credit counseling agencies near you by state
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The above is a listing of some of the main national credit counseling agencies. There are many other local non-profits too listed by state below. While each agency may offer its own services, all of the clients will typically find some common themes with some needs, such as credit card help, always in high demand. Most will also provide borrowers with direct one on one access (phone, in person, etc.) to a dedicated counselor. In addition to the options listed above and by state below, try the Federal Government approved list of approved credit counseling agencies by state.
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Kentucky
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
Want to read what other people are facing or doing around credit and debt help? If you are struggling to get out of debt or rebuild/improve your finances the non-profits above may of course help. But regular people, from across the country, also share resources, tips, and suggestions on living within means. Try our Discussion Forum on credit counseling to hear real examples from people across the country and share resources and more.
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