Budget & Credit Counseling FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it cost?

A budget and credit counseling session is free.

How long does it take?

A budget and credit counseling session usually lasts about one hour.

What should I bring to my credit counseling session?

To get the most from your counseling session, it is very important to have the following information on hand:
• Current statements from your creditors
• Current paycheck stub or proof of income
• A list of your monthly living expenses such as rent, utilities, food, car insurance, entertainment, clothing, etc.) and income (paycheck, child support, dividends, etc.).

If you do not have your credit information on hand, we can print a credit report for you and our counselor can review the information with you.

Which debts can you help me with?

Our counselor will address debt on your credit report and other debts such as IRS, collection accounts and medical bills which may not appear on your report. Some debts, however, must be paid directly and may not be included in a debt management plan, such as child support and students loans. Our counselors will work hard to provide you with your overall best options for paying off your entire debt load.

What do you do to keep my personal information confidential and secure?

ClearPoint keeps clients personal information strictly confidential and secure, as outlined in our Privacy Policy. We use current firewall technologies to protect client data from outsiders, as well as passwords and permission levels internally, to restrict access to our proprietary network.

We have developed and implemented policies and procedures to be in full compliance with all federal and state laws concerning privacy.

Will the fact that I sought credit counseling hurt my credit?

No, not at all. If you do not join a Debt Management Plan, the credit bureaus will never know that you sought credit or debt counseling.