BALANCE Services

Toll-free InfoLine
Members have immediate telephone access to counselors, and can get answers and guidance on a wide variety of money management, personal finance and credit related questions – in English and Spanish.

Credit Report Review
In a credit report review counseling session, we review the content of the member’s credit report and provide education about credit scoring, maintaining or improving the report, correcting inaccuracies, and identity theft. Afterward, the member will receive a plan of action for improving his credit standing and supplementary education materials.

Money Management Counseling
We offer pre-scheduled telephone counseling appointments throughout the day and evening, weekdays and weekends. Each 60-minute session is action-oriented and there is no limit to the number of sessions your members may have. Each results in a written action plan outlining the options, choices, rights and responsibilities discussed during the session.

Debt Management Plans
Often, members we counsel are struggling with debt. Many have high balances and interest rates, pay only the minimum due, and some are using credit to supplement their income. We explore all of the options available for effective debt repayment. If a member is having trouble making ends meet, is receiving collection calls or letters, or is not able to make progress in repaying debt, a Debt Management Plan may be a good option. Through this plan, we consolidate bill payments and request concessions from creditors including lowering payments, re-aging the account, and reducing or eliminating interest and fees. The plan enables consumers to repay their unsecured debt in three to five years.

Housing Education Program
We offer comprehensive pre-purchase education for members striving to buy their first home. We will develop a detailed action plan including tools for money management, savings, debt repayment, and credit report improvement. For those struggling with mortgage payments, we provide early delinquency intervention counseling to help avoid foreclosure. Our counselors will work closely with members to determine the best options available for dealing with missed mortgage payments.

Bankruptcy Prevention
We have bankruptcy prevention specialists on our counseling team. If a counselor identifies a member as being high-risk for bankruptcy filing, a specialist from the Bankruptcy Prevention Unit will follow up with the member. If the member is in short-term financial distress, we may be able to help him establish a temporarily reduced payment plan. Other members are referred to the BPU to learn about the consequences of filing bankruptcy, and to search for any possible available options. Often when members understand the consequences of filing, other options seem far more appealing.

Nationwide Referral Database
It’s not unusual for some members to require services outside the scope of what we provide. To meet these needs, we have developed an extensive national database of referral sources. We never refer to any specific for-profit organization; the database is strictly comprised of social service, consumer assistance, and other non-profit community service organizations.

Educational Resources
Our publications library is regularly updated and made available to your members on our website – in English and Spanish – or in hard copy. A full suite of financial calculators and quarterly newsletters are also available online at www.balancepro.net.