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CCNW can help you take that first step toward regaining control of your financial situation. By contacting CCNW, you can:
- Meet with a trained, professional credit counselor who will evaluate your financial situation.
- Get a clear picture of your finances and learn what options are available.
- Learn about consumer educational opportunities and resources.
Take advantage of CCNW's free, confidential counseling--a new approach to managing your finances may be all that is needed to solve your financial problems!
Please call 800.244.1183 ext 100 to learn more or to schedule a telephone or in-person counseling appointment. To access online procedures and forms, please click here.
If you believe that its needed, CCNW Counselors can help you set up a Debt Management Plan (DMP). With a DMP, counselors negotiate with creditors to help lower your monthly payments and, in some case, secure lower interest rates. Some creditors will allow re-aging of accounts, which can stop late fees and help in addressing over limit conditions.
Our Certified Counselors work with you to develop a personalized money management plan that will address both your necessary living expenses and payment of your debt.
Advantages of a Debt Management Plan include:
- The ability to become debt-free and realize your financial goals!
- A repayment plan that can help you if you don’t qualify for bankruptcy
- The convenience of making only one monthly deposit--we do all the work of distributing the payments to your creditors.
- A realistic monthly spending plan.
- A way to learn valuable money management skills.
To learn more about Debt Management Plans and how to select the right agency, please go to www.ftc.gov and click on the For Consumers section.
The following are common questions when considering debt counseling. If you have any other questions that aren't answered here or elsewhere on our web site, please feel free to e-mail us at answers@ccnw.org or call us at 800-244-1183 ext 100.
What are the benefits of working with CCNW?
CCNW will mediate between you and all of your creditors. Unlike many other Credit Counseling agencies, we address all your debt, not just credit card issues. This should immediately help lower your stress. We may be able get concessions from the creditors to lower your interest. We may negotiate lower payments. You make one easy monthly payment to us, and CCNW distributes the money to all of your creditors on your behalf. As a CCNW Debt Management Plan client, you can access your account status online at any time.
How much will a Debt Management Plan with CCNW cost me?
If a Debt Management Plan is the right solution for you, CCNW has a one-time initiation fee of $25. In addition to starting your plan, this fee also covers educational materials and courses available to you as a Debt Management Plan client. CCNW charges monthly maintenance fees on a sliding scale from $15 to $50 depending upon the amount of debt administered.
It’s always smart to comparison shop at least three providers of any service or product you think you want. The same is true for Credit Counseling Agencies and Debt Management Plan providers. Be sure to get exact answers about how much a DMP will really cost. Many unscrupulous agencies keep your first DMP payment as a "Voluntary Contribution" and do not send the payment to your creditors. This practice can cost you hundreds of dollars. Many other agencies will also charge you high monthly fees for your DMP. We do not charge a fee per creditor nor do we charge a percentage of your total consumer debt as a monthly fee.
Can you stop legal action and collector phone calls?
CCNW can not stop legal action. However, if there is pending legal action, and no filings have taken place, we can often prevent legal actions through negotiation with a creditor. CCNW can eliminate most harassing phone calls. Once a plan has been agreed to by all parties, calls should cease. However, in case of continued harassment, CCNW will work with you to put an end to the harassment. CCNW Counselors and Educators will help you become aware of the rights afforded you by the Federal Government regarding Credit Transactions.
Are most creditors willing to work with your agency?
Yes, most creditors work with CCNW. We have many standing agreements with credit grantors and financial institutions regarding hardship and special circumstances. If we don’t have an existing relationship or agreement with a creditor, your counselor will contact the creditor and attempt to work out an equitable agreement.
What happens in a counseling session? Is counseling confidential?
A counseling session is a confidential, private consultation with a certified financial counselor. In the appointment, your counselor will ask you many questions regarding your living expenses in order to find a household money management plan that works for you. Once a money management plan to cover living costs is completed, your counselor will work with you to examine your consumer debt and offer you options on how to address your situation. The goal of each session is to find a way for you to be debt-free in a reasonable amount of time. Clients can often find a way, with a money management plan or asset review, to control debt. If you do not have enough income to cover basic living expenses and consumer debt, we will inform you of other possible options. Each situation is unique and the advice and information you receive will be tailored to fit your specific needs.
Are CCNW counselors qualified? What is their background?
CCNW Counselors are all certified through a series of examinations administered by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. All CCNW Counselors must receive Certification within one year of their hiring date and must meet continuing education standards to maintain their certification.
How will a Debt Management Plan (DMP) affect my credit?
Debt Management Plans can negatively affect your credit rating and scores. Unless a person’s credit is already damaged, our counselors don’t normally suggest entering into a Debt Management Plan. CCNW does not report to any credit bureau or credit reporting agency. However, most large creditors will report your participation in a Debt Management Plan to a credit reporting bureau.
A Debt Management Plan will affect your ability to get credit from some financial institutions. You should not be applying for new credit or using credit cards while you are on a plan. After all, your goal is to be debt-free. Most businesses will not extend new credit while you are on a DMP.
Can I have only the bills that are causing me problems in my DMP?
No, all bills must be included in your Debt Management Plan. Creditors stipulate that all accounts be included in a program.
If I enroll in a DMP, can I continue to use my credit cards?
No, you cannot continue to use your credit cards. If you continue to use credit, you will be defeating the purpose of a Debt Management Plan. The goal is to be debt free. There are some exceptions to this rule, which include unexpected emergencies such as medical costs, family emergencies, emergency transportation needs and business expenses for self-employed people.
Can CCNW repair my credit report?
No, CCNW cannot repair your credit report. However, we can give you the tools, information, and advice on how you can improve your own credit report and credit score. There are many "credit repair" scams out there. Your counselor can advise you on how not to be taken advantage by these dishonest companies. We want to give you the knowledge and skills to help you improve your credit without costing you a fortune. Life is expensive enough without paying for fraudulent services.
If you have any other questions that aren't answered here or elsewhere on our web site, please feel free to e-mail us at answers@ccnw.org or call us at 800.244.1183. | 
Credit Report Counseling & Education 
