Description
Provide counseling to individuals on managing and reducing debt. Assess financial situations, develop and administer debt management plans, negotiate with creditors, and educate clients on budgeting, credit, consolidation options, and bankruptcy alternatives. Monitor progress, maintain records, and ensure compliance with consumer protection laws and program requirements.
- • Advise clients on debt concerns via phone, video, email, chat, or in person.
- • Review income, expenses, assets, debts, and credit reports to assess ability to repay.
- • Calculate disposable income and affordability for debt payments.
- • Create and implement debt management plans and household budgets.
- • Project payoff timelines based on balances, rates, and payments.
- • Explain program rules, fees, creditor concessions, and service pros and cons.
- • Conduct intake interviews to gather financial and personal information.
- • Maintain case files, counseling notes, payment records, and correspondence.
- • Negotiate with creditors for lower interest, waived fees, or adjusted payment terms.
- • Draft recommendations and client agreements for repayment strategies.
- • Prioritize debts to minimize costs and avoid collections, bankruptcy, or foreclosure.
- • Provide educational resources on budgeting, credit use, and debt reduction.
- • Recommend strategies such as consolidation, hardship programs, settlement, or bankruptcy referral when appropriate.
- • Refer clients to legal aid, housing, or social services for non-debt needs.
- • Reassess plans when clients’ income, family, or employment changes.
- • Counsel on mortgage or auto delinquency, repossession, and foreclosure prevention related to debt.
- • Research options to stop garnishments, levies, or asset seizures.
- • Develop action plans to bring delinquent accounts current and resolve collections.
- • Disburse client funds to creditors under approved plans and reconcile accounts.
- • Explain credit scores, credit report disputes, collection practices, and consumer rights.
- • Explain consolidation loans and creditor hardship programs, including eligibility and risks.
- • Investigate payment issues, returned checks, or disputed balances with creditors.
- • Teach workshops on debt management, credit rebuilding, and financial literacy.
- • Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations and agency policies.
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Financial Services
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
