Bankruptcy Counseling and Debtor Education Disclosure

Bankruptcy Counseling includePre-filing Credit Counseling – Credit.org is authorized by the Executive Office for U.S. Trustees “EOUST" or the Bankruptcy Administrator to provide Pre-filing Credit Counseling required by the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (“BAPCPA”) for anyone filing personal bankruptcy. Credit.org is approved to issue certificates in compliance with the Bankruptcy Code. Approval does not endorse or assure the quality of an Agency’s services. Does not pay or receive fee or other consideration for referral of clients.Pre-discharge Debtor Education Counseling – BAPCPA also requires bankruptcy filers to complete a course on Personal Financial Management after filing for bankruptcy but before receiving a final discharge. Credit.org is approved to issue certificates in compliance with the Bankruptcy Code. Approval does not endorse or assure the quality of a Provider’s services.All credit.org counselors/educators providing these services have three to five years of experience in counseling, education, lending or a credit-related field. Credit.org’s counselors/educators are required to obtain certification through the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, and continue to remain certified to offer these services.Client/Debtor shall be issued counseling/debtor education certificates only upon completion of the instructional education as required by the BAPCPA. Credit.org offers counseling services in English and Spanish, interpreter assistance may also be available in other languages upon request.Counseling services are available to any member of the community without regard to race, religion, national origin, gender, social position, handicap, financial status or ability to pay.Fee Waiver & Fee Reduction Policy – Services for both Pre-filing Credit Counseling and Predischarge Debtor Education come with applicable fees. However, it is important to note that our services are available to all, regardless of their ability to pay. Therefore, fees can be waived or reduced for clients facing financial challenges. A client has the opportunity to negotiate an alternative payment schedule. However, because Credit.org does not have the ability to create a payment schedule, and will either waive or reduce the fee upon the request from a client facing financial challenges, the client can be referred to another agency. Credit.org does not charge additional fees in connection with the referral. If your household income is less than 150 percent of the poverty guidelines as periodically updated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, you may qualify for a fee adjustment. The term “client household” includes the individual client, spouse (unless separated and not filing jointly), and any dependents. To request a fee waiver or reduction, you need to submit your most recent income statement or tax return via fax to 951-783-1302 or email to [email protected] after completing the course registration. You will need to include your client's identification number, first and last name, household size, and the course you plan to complete. Upon receiving the necessary documentation, we encourage you to contact us to confirm your request and proceed with the counseling requirements.Pre-filing Credit CounselingThe fee for Pre-filing Credit Counseling is $49.00 for counseling by telephone or in person and $45.00 over the internet. This fee is for either single or joint counseling. Credit.org has an obligation to provide a certificate of completion promptly within one (1) business day of completing the Pre-filing Credit Counseling course and will be valid one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of completion of counseling. We do not charge an additional fee to generate your certificate. Credit.org receives funding from government entities and sponsored enterprises, foundations, and corporations who support our counseling and educational services and programs, including voluntary contributions from creditors for clients enrolled in our debt management plans (“DMP”). A debt management plan is a structured arrangement between you and your creditors, facilitated by a credit counseling agency, to help you repay outstanding debts through lower interest rates, reduced fees, and a consolidated monthly payment. Involvement with a debt management plan could be reflected on your credit report in a favorable or unfavorable way according to creditor’s reporting policies. If a DMP is considered a separate agreement and other documents will be provided, and additional fees may be incurred which will be explained during the DMP enrollment process. Enlisting the assistance of credit counseling with Credit.org prior to filing for bankruptcy does not adversely affect your credit reports. We are committed to maintaining confidentiality, refraining from disclosing any information shared during credit counseling, including the consideration of filing for bankruptcy, unless specifically permitted by you or mandated by law. However, choosing to proceed with bankruptcy does carry negative consequences for your credit reports and does not address inaccuracies such as missed payments. Importantly, bankruptcy becomes a public record, prominently displayed on your credit reports. It’s crucial to understand that declaring bankruptcy has lasting effects, lingering on your credit report for 7-10 years, impacting your ability to secure new credit cards or loans with favorable terms.Pre-discharge Debtor EducationThe fee for Pre-discharge Debtor Education Instruction is $49.00 by telephone or in-person, or $35.00 through the internet. This fee is for either single or joint instruction. Credit.org has an obligation to provide a certificate of completion promptly within three (3) business days of completing the Pre-discharge Debtor Education course. We do not charge an additional fee to generate your certificate.Credit.org does not pay or receive fees or other consideration for the referral of counseling or debtor education students. All information provided by a student is kept confidential unless authorized by the student or as required by law. Internet Pre-discharge Debtor Education Instruction courses are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by accessing www.bkhelp.org. For Pre-discharge Debtor Education course availability by telephone and/or classroom education courses, please contact us at 888-425-3453. Students must spend a minimum of two (2) hours participating in the Pre-discharge Debtor Education course.

Consent Credit.org takes your privacy seriously. By clicking I (We) Agree on this page you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and to share your information. You agree to be contacted at the phone number and email provided (autodialing, text and pre-recorded messaging) via landline, mobile device (including SMS and MMS) and/or email, even if your phone number is currently listed on any state, federal or corporate Do Not Call list. Consent is not required as a condition to purchase a good/service and standard message and data rates may apply.Privacy PolicyOur agency is committed to assuring the privacy of individuals and/or families who have contacted us for assistance.  All “nonpublic personal information” shared both orally and in writing such as name, address, telephone number, assets, liabilities and any other personal information concerning a client’s finances will be managed within legal and ethical considerations. Nonpublic personal financial information will not be released to any entity except under circumstances which we may release information to a third party as permitted by law.

Credit.org might disclose information to the Executive Office of the United States Trustee in connection with the Executive Office of the United States Trustee’s oversight of the agency, the Banckruptcy Administrator, or during the investigation of complaints, during on-site visits, or during quality-of-service reviews. The Executive Office of the United States Trustee or Bankruptcy Administrator had reviewed only the agency's credit counseling services and its service as a provider of a personal financial management instruction course, and the Executive Office of the United States Trustee or Bankruptcy Administrator has neither reviewed nor approved any other services the agency provides clients.