Frequently Asked Questions

Sound financial education begins with asking good questions. In this section, you will encounter some of our most frequently asked. If you don't find your questions here or need to ask more, just give us a call. That's what we are here for.

Please read about our FAQ's as follows below:

1. What exactly is Consumer Credit Counseling Service?
Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of Chattanooga is a program of the Partnership, a nonprofit community service agency. CCCS was established in 1981 to provide:

• Confidential budget, credit and housing counseling
  Consumers can call and request a counseling appointment with one of our professional, certified counselors to review expenses, income and spending habits.

• Debt management plans to repay creditors
  For consumers who are financially overextended, we offer a debt management plan to help you repay creditors. Many creditors will reduce or waive interest charges when payments are made through CCCS.

• Money management seminars
  Our agency offers education workshops for employee groups, civic groups, church groups or other groups who may be interested on topics such as Budgeting, Money and Credit Management and programs targeted to teens. 

• Telephone counseling services
  Counseling appointments are available via telephone for consumers experiencing time or transportation constraints.

CCCS of Chattanooga is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, Washington, D.C.

2: Is there a cost to CCCS services?
Counseling is free whether you visit us in person or over the phone.

Debt Management Programs work a little differently, and fees are based on a small percentage of your total payment with a maximum of $30. This will be better explained at your initial appointment.

• Bankruptcy Pre-Filing fees are $50 per session and include the certificate.
• Bankruptcy Pre-Discharge & Education is $50 per session and include the certificate. 
• Pre-purchase housing sessions (or first time homebuyer sessions) are $20.
• Reverse Mortgage (HECM) Counseling is $50 per session.
• Most workshops and other educational classes are free.

These fees may be waived based on income.

3. How do I know if my situation is severe enough to contact CCCS?

If you answer yes to two or more of the following questions, it's time to schedule an appointment with CCCS:

• Do you worry about money?
• Are you only able to pay the minimum amount on your credit cards?
• Are you using credit cards for items you used to buy with cash?
• Is your savings cushion inadequate or non-existent?

4. Who can be helped by the CCCS Debt Management Plan (DMP)?

A Debt Management Plan may help many people who are experiencing difficulty making payments to creditors. A DMP allows you to make a single, monthly deposit to CCCS, based on a renegotiated payment plan, which in turn is paid directly to your creditors by CCCS. To find out if you are suited for a DMP, contact CCCS for a budget counseling session with a qualified counselor. You may contact us right here on our website. During your appointment, your counselor will review your budget (income, living expenses and credit obligation) and may recommend a debt management plan. 

5. If I'm on a DMP will my creditors continue to telephone me?

In the majority of cases, we are able to work with creditors towards a positive solution that will satisfy everyone. Once creditors begin to receive regular payments through CCCS, they should stop calling you.

6. How is CCCS funded?

Since creditors have a financial interest in getting paid, most are willing to make a contribution to help fund our agency. These contributions are usually calculated as a percentage of the payments clients make through any DMP. However, clients' accounts with their creditors are always credited with 100% of the amount paid through CCCS, and we will attempt to work with your creditors regardless of whether they contribute to our agency.

Additionally, clients who enter a debt management plan are assessed a fee based on amount of monthly payment - no more than $30 per month. In some cases, these fees may be waived.