Pre-filing Bankruptcy Counseling Instructional Course

Credit Counseling Agency Information

Consumer Debt Counselors

407-599-0057 or 800-820-9232

Disclosures for Credit Counseling

Consumer Debt Counselors, Inc. is non-profit community service agency that is dedicated to providing professional financial education and confidential counseling. Counseling is provided through the internet with telephonic support or in person in our office. All client information is held in strict confidence in compliance with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Privacy Act except as authorized to be released by the client.

Cost of Services : Consumer Debt Counselors charges fees for some of its services in order to cover the costs of providing those services.

The customary fee is the same for either individuals or couples.

Fee Waiver Policy : Consumer Debt Counselors will waive the fees normally received for the provision of pre-bankruptcy filing credit counseling when the client has an income that is less than one hundred and fifty percent (150%) of the poverty guidelines last published by the United Stated Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that are applicable to a family of the size involved in the forty-eight (48) contiguous states. The DHHS poverty guidelines are published as the DHHS website, http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/08poverty.shtml

Please note :

1. The income for comparison to the poverty guidelines is the “Total Combined Income” as reported (or will be reported) on Line 16 of Schedule I of the bankruptcy petition.
2. Non-cash governmental assistance (i.e., food stamps or housing subsidies) will not be included when calculating debtor income.
3. Spousal income is included in the income calculation whether filing jointly or individually, unless the spouses are separated and a joint petition is not filed.
4. The income of any other family member listed on Schedule I as a dependent also will be included in the income calculation.

If you believe you qualify for a fee waiver, please consult your attorney to see if you qualify. If you do not have legal representation, you may talk with a Counselor at 407-599-0057 or 800-820-9232. If you do qualify for a fee waiver, you will be asked to forward a written request for the waiver along with evidence of any and all income to:

Consumer Debt Counselors

Attention: Fee Waivers

222 S. Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 100

Winter Park , FL 32789

Fax: 407-599-5954

Non-Discrimination Policy : Consumer Debt Counselors serves all members of the community. We do not engage in the practice of discrimination in the selection and participation of clients in our programs or services with respect to race, religion, color, gender, national origin, or handicap.

Impact of Counseling on Credit Reports : Consumer Debt Counselors does not notify any credit-reporting bureau of your participation in a credit-counseling session; nor will your creditors know that you have met with a Counselor.

Counselor Qualifications : Counseling sessions are conducted by either a Certified Credit Counselor or a qualified professional counselor. Certification as a counselor requires that the individual enroll in and complete a counselor certification program administered by a third party; i.e., the Association for Financial Counseling Planning Education, the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, or a similar organization. If the Counselor has not completed certification, the counseling session will be reviewed by a qualified financial professional such as a Chartered Financial Consultant. Although a Counselor may answer general questions about bankruptcy, the Counselors at Consumer Debt are not attorneys and cannot provide legal or tax advice. If legal or tax advice is desired, clients are encouraged to seek the appropriate assistance from an attorney or tax professional.

Source of Funding : Consumer Debt Counselors receives the bulk of its funding in the form of grants and contributions from creditors who support the counseling and educational efforts of this agency. Client fees are also received for various services and programs that are offered to the public to help offset the cost of providing such services and programs.

Complaint Resolution : Consumer Debt Counselors is committed to providing the highest quality professional service. However, if you are not satisfied with the services provided or if you want to make a complaint, we ask that you follow these guidelines:

1. Try to resolve the issue with the staff member involved giving him/her specific information about your complaint;
2. If step #1 is not possible or the issue is not resolved to your satisfaction, write or call Tom Hoisington, CLU, ChFC, FICF, Compliance and Quality Manager at 222 S. Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 100, Winter Park, FL 32789;
3. Consumer Debt Counselors may request a meeting with you (in person or by telephone) to seek more information regarding the cause of your dissatisfaction. Consumer Debt Counselors will respond within fifteen (15) days;
4. If your issue is still unresolved, you may appeal in writing directly to the President of Consumer Debt Counselors. After additional fact finding, he will provide a concluding decision to you within fifteen (15) days.

Other Disclosures

Pre-bankruptcy filing credit counseling session is offered regardless of the client's ability to pay. If a client is unable to pay the customary fee, counseling will be provided at a reduced cost, or at no cost, as explained in the Fee Waiver Policy.

Course materials are available through the internet at any time, 365 days a year. If you have questions and wish to speak with a Counselor, our offices are open between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; and, between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon on Saturdays (Eastern Time Zone). Clients calling outside of normal office hours are encouraged to leave a message. A Counselor will cheerfully return the call at the earliest opportunity.

Consumer Debt Counselors does not pay or receive any fees or other consideration for the referral of debtor clients or students to or by this agency.

Upon completion of either the pre-bankruptcy filing credit counseling session, Consumer Debt Counselors will provide a Certificate of Completion to the client.

You may have authorized your attorney to order an online credit counseling briefing on your behalf and further authorized your attorney, in his/her discretion, to share this document with the Bankruptcy Court appointed trustee, to facilitate a more efficient administration of your bankruptcy case. If you want to revoke this authorization, please contact your attorney immediately; or, you may call Consumer Debt Counselors at the telephone number shown above.

To proceed, click “I Agree”.