 TITLE: How to Get Credit Counseling or Financial Assistance CONTENT: General Credit Counseling\n-------------------------\nCredit counseling agencies offer a variety of free and low-cost services to consumers, such as:\n*   **Credit or debt counseling**: After completing an initial review of your goals and finances, the counselor may work with you to create a budget and explain different debt management options and programs.\n*   **Debt management plan**: If you're overwhelmed with unsecured debt, such as credit card debt, a debt management plan (DMP) may be a good option. With a DMP, you may have to close your credit cards, but a counselor will negotiate with your creditors to get lower interest rates, waive fees and bring past-due accounts current. You'll then make one monthly payment to the credit counselor, who distributes the money to your creditors with the goal of paying off the balances within three to five years.\n*   **Credit report review**: If you have questions about your credit reports or scores, a credit counselor may be able to explain what's in your credit report, look for inaccuracies and give you suggestions for improving your credit.\n*   **Required educational courses**: Some agencies are approved to offer courses that you may need to complete if you want to file for bankruptcy, purchase a home through a government program or get a reverse mortgage.\nReputable credit counseling agencies are generally nonprofits and typically belong to a certification organization such as the National Foundation for Credit Counseling or Financial Counseling Association of America. You can find local and national credit counseling organizations through these resources or by researching the U.S. Department of Justice's list of approved credit counseling agencies. You may be able to work with a certified counselor online, over the phone or in person. END