How To Get Free Credit Counseling in Connecticut

Find Connecticut Nonprofit Credit Counseling Agencies

You may benefit from beginning your search for a reputable nonprofit Connecticut credit counseling agency by searching specifically for organizations accredited by the NFCC. As accredited, nonprofit organizations are the most likely to approach financial education in ways you can trust, narrowing your search from the start to organizations that fit these criteria is generally a good idea. Also make sure that any organizations that catch your eye employ certified credit counselors, offer a free introductory credit counseling session to new participants, and have educational materials about their services available for your review.   

Information to Research Before Talking to a Connecticut Credit Counseling Agency

Once you’ve found a Connecticut credit counseling organization or two you believe might fit your needs, it’s important to do a little more research before scheduling a free credit counseling and money management session. Just because an organization is accredited doesn’t mean it can’t experience challenges from time to time. It’s therefore a good idea to make sure the accredited organizations that interest you don’t have significantly negative Better Business Bureau ratings and that the Connecticut state attorney general and/or consumer protection agency haven’t alerted the public to any “red flags” related to their operations. Researching whether the organization you want to work with has earned a stellar reputation will allow you to trust in the advice you receive during your Connecticut credit counseling session.  

Questions to Ask the Connecticut Credit Counselor Before Signing Up

Now that you’re confident in the reputation of the organization you’ve chosen to work with, it’s time to call or go online and schedule your Connecticut credit counseling session. When scheduling your session, make sure to confirm the expected duration of your meeting, the location where you’ll be meeting with your credit counselor, and what documents you should bring along to your session. Now is also a good time to ask for the organization’s introductory educational materials. These reference sheets should give you a better sense of how the agency operates, what kinds of post-counseling services it provides (and the cost of those services), and what to expect from your free credit counseling session.

What to Expect During Credit Counseling

Before you arrive for your credit counseling session, take a little time to get your important financial documents in order. You’ll want to bring recent financial paperwork with you so that your credit counselor can get a snapshot of your current financial situation. For example, your credit counselor will benefit from knowing your credit score. By requesting a free copy of your credit report in advance of your meeting, you’ll be able to share both this score and a list of your current debts with your credit counselor.

Whether you’re struggling with student loans and credit card debt or your credit is nearly perfect and you’re newly struggling to make ends meet, your credit counselor will benefit from seeing what your credit breakdown looks like. You’ll also want to bring in recent bank statements, pay stubs, tax returns, and any other documents that will help your credit counselor give you personalized recommendations.

Once you arrive at your session, your credit counselor will look over your financial paperwork and ask you numerous questions about your financial challenges and your financial goals. At the end of your session, you’ll receive an action plan that will help you make informed decisions concerning how best to proceed.  

What Happens After Credit Counseling in Connecticut

After your credit counseling session is complete, you’ll need to decide whether to act on your credit counselor’s recommendations. Depending on your unique circumstances, you may be told that you could benefit from debt consolidation, a debt management program, or filing for consumer bankruptcy.