Bankruptcy Counseling and Education

Among key provisions of the new bankruptcy law is a requirement, for the first time, that consumers must participate in credit counseling from an approved, non-profit credit counseling agency prior to filing for bankruptcy.  In addition, consumers who have filed for bankruptcy must participate in a financial education session before their debts are discharged. The required counseling must be provided by an agency or company designated by the United States Trustee’s Office.  These changes took effect on October 17, 2005. 

Housing and Credit Counseling, Inc. (HCCI), a non-profit agency which has been offering consumer credit counseling services in Northeast Kansas for over 20 years, received this designation.  HCCI was the first agency in Northeast Kansas that received that designation.  The service package developed by HCCI to provide the necessary services is designed to be delivered in the community.  The name of the pre-bankruptcy counseling and education program is More Than One Way Out and the pre-discharge class is Live a Richer Life.  HCCI can only issue certificates in the State of Kansas.  See our new online bankruptcy counseling course below.

More Than One Way Out

Our 90-minute More Than One Way Out course covers options for repaying those hard to pay debts NOW!  These classes are open to the public, and the class does qualify as a pre-bankruptcy filing requirement.  You will need to read and sign the pre-bankruptcy counseling disclosure form and bring it with you to class.  This form is in Adobe Reader.  If you don't have the software, download it free prior to attempting to access the file.

Pre-Bankruptcy Counsel

This 90-minute counseling session is available in person or by telephone.  This counseling session is for those who have not attended the More Than One Way Out class.  The session will cover money management, including budgeting, credit, collections, bankruptcy, and alternatives to bankruptcy.  We ask that you read and complete the statement of counseling services and privacy policy forms prior to your in-person session.  If counseled by telephone, read and complete the forms prior to your session, then sign and mail to our office at 1195 SW Buchanan, Suite 101, Topeka, Kansas 66604.  These forms are in Adobe Reader files.  If you don't have the software, download it free prior to attempting to access the files.  An EOUST certificate is awarded at the completion of the session and is valid for 180 days.  Participants will also leave with an Action Plan.

Live a Richer Life

Pre-Discharge Education

This two-hour class meets the requirements that must be completed prior to finalizing a bankruptcy with the Court.  Delivered in a classroom environment, it focuses on decision making, goal setting, budgeting, record keeping, identity theft, insurance, predatory lending, credit building and sound financial choices.  You will need to complete and sign the bankruptcy pre-discharge counseling disclosure form prior to class.  This form is in Adobe Reader.   If you don't have the software, download it free prior to attempting to access the file. 

These sessions are offered the same day as Court at 1 p.m. and occasionally 9 a.m. on certain Thursdays and Saturdays at HCCI in Topeka.  Lawrence classes are held on occasional Saturdays.  Please bring your bankruptcy case number.  An EOUST certificate is awarded at the completion of the session.

NEW!  Online Bankruptcy Counseling Course

NOTE:  Couples can take the online course for the single/couple price, but it will be necessary for each person to take the course individually and separate from each other.  A corporate voucher code must be requested from HCCI in order for the second person to take the online course without being charged.  Please contact HCCI at 785-234-0217 for details.  Also, if you wish to pay for this online course by another method other than by credit or debit card, you must first contact HCCI to get a corporate voucher code.

Before you register and pay for the online bankruptcy course, please review the following notes carefully and read the Bankruptcy Counseling Fees and Disclosure:

1.   HCCI can only issue certificates in the State of Kansas.

2.   Check the system requirements in the Support Section before paying for the session.

3.   Joint filers must conduct their own individual courses using unique email addresses in order to obtain certificates.

4.   If you need any assistance throughout the counseling or education course, you may reach us at

      (800) 383-0217 during normal business hours Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm.

5.   Upon completion, one of our certified counselors will review your material before issuing a certificate. This will include assuring that you completed all of the worksheets and spent an appropriate amount of time on the material. You will be asked to mail or email to hcci@hcci-ks.org or fax (785-234-0237) us a copy of your driver’s license or other valid photo ID to verify your identity. You will also be contacted by the counselor by email or phone prior to receiving your certificate.

Housing and Credit Counseling, Inc.

Bankruptcy Counseling Fees and Disclosure

PRIVACY POLICY:  Housing and Credit Counseling Inc is committed to assuring the privacy of individuals and/or families who have contacted us for assistance. We assure you that all information shared both orally and in writing will be managed within legal and ethical considerations. Your “personal financial information,” such as your total debt information, income, living expenses and personal information concerning your financial circumstances, will be provided to creditors and possibly others with your specific authorization.  Your anonymity will be maintained through the use of your client number or by using aggregate data in all circumstances.

We may also use aggregated case file information for the purpose of evaluating our services, gathering valuable research information and designing future programs. Your anonymity will be maintained through the use of your client number or by using aggregate data in all circumstances.

In all other situations, your information may be released to appropriate individuals or agencies only upon your written request or when our staff has been served by a valid subpoena.

The following privacy practices detail circumstances under which we will release your information to a third party:

1.   We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about our customers or former customers to anyone,

      except as permitted by law.

2.   We may compile data and aggregate information that you give to us, but this information may not be

      disclosed in a manner that would personally identify you in any way.

3.   We may disclose some or all of the information that we collect, as described below, to creditors, or third

      parties that you have authorized who need this information in order for us to assist you after a counseling

      session.
 

4.       We may disclose all of the information that we collect, as described below, to creditors and related financial

      institutions who need this information in order to put you on a debt management program (DMP).

5.   We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you to those employees who need to know that

information to provide services to you. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal regulations to guard your nonpublic personal information.

6.   We collect nonpublic personal information about you from the following sources:

• Information we received from you on our applications or other forms you provide;

• Information about your transactions with us, your creditors, or others; and

• Information we receive from a credit reporting agency.
 

7.  We may disclose the following kinds of nonpublic personal information about you:

• Information we receive from you on applications or other forms, such as your name, address, social security number, assets, and income;

• Information about your transactions with us, your creditors, or others, such as your account balance, payment history, parties to transactions and credit card usage; and

• Information we receive from a credit reporting agency, such as your credit history.

COUNSELING DISCLOSURE AND FEES:  HCCI has over 20 years of experience in helping people with financial issues through educational information and non-judgmental assistance. We will provide a budget analysis that will examine your financial situation, discuss factors that may be the cause of your problems and explore your options for developing a reasonable plan for dealing with them. We will provide you with information to help you choose the option that you feel is best for you. At the conclusion of this session, you will be provided with a certificate that is needed, should you decide to file for bankruptcy. Credit Counseling certificates are valid for 180 days from the date the counseling was completed.

As a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), our agency complies with NFCC’s high standards for quality credit counseling and financial education. This agency is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA), an independent third party organization that reviews and monitors parties that provide social services. We are a non-profit agency in accordance with Section 501©3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Nothing herein shall apply to actions or claims under the provision of the Untied States Bankruptcy Code, 11.U.S.C. 101 et seq.

The consumer credit counselor conducting your interview has been trained and certified in accordance with NFCC standards. While he/she has expertise in helping those with financial problems, he/she cannot provide legal advice. This session is designed to provide you with information and alternatives. It is not intended to take the place of a consultation with an attorney to explore your legal rights and options.

It is essential that you provide us with information that is as accurate and complete as possible.  We may ask you to authorize us to access your credit history. The information you provide concerning your financial condition and status is strictly confidential. Such information would include, but is not limited to: income, debts, credit accounts, earnings, assets and employment data.  We will not disclose any such information that you provide orally or in writing to anyone, except as authorized by you in writing or as required by law, such as in response to a subpoena. We may compile data and aggregate information from data that you give us, but this information will not be disclosed in any manner that would personally identify you. This agency will not provide any information about this session to a credit reporting agency. If you enter into a Debt Management Plan (DMP– that will be explained during this interview) you will be provided with separate agreement and disclosure forms.

To help cover the cost of providing this session to you, this agency charges a fee of $35 (single or couple).  No one is turned away for the inability to pay, however all fees collected help to be able to provide this service. 

This agency also receives funding in the form of grants from entities that support financial counseling, state and governmental units and creditors.  A significant portion of funding for this agency comes from voluntary contributions from creditors who participate in Debt Management Plans.  Since creditors have a financial interest in having debts paid, most are willing to make a contribution to help fund the overall services of this agency.  These contributions are usually calculated as a percentage of payments that are made through a DMP.  Again, should you decide to enter into a DMP, you will receive specific information on how the plan works and how the agency is funded.

§         I authorize Housing and Credit Counseling, Inc. (HCCI) to counsel and instruct me on credit and money

      management.

§         I understand that the decision to implement any suggestions made by HCCI is entirely up to me.

§         I have read and understand the privacy statement. I authorize HCCI to release any and all non-public information it obtains about me to my creditors and any third parties necessary to resolve any matters discussed during my counseling session.

§         If requested, I authorize HCCI to release a copy of my Bankruptcy Certificate to my attorney and will provide the attorney’s name, address and fax # if needed.

§         I further release and authorize all of my creditors to provide non-public information about me to HCCI.

§         I agree to hold HCCI, its officers, diretor4s, agents, employees and volunteer harmless from any claim, suit, action or demand of any kind from my creditors, others or myself. Nothing herein shall apply to actions or claims under the provisions of the United States Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 101 et seq.

 I have read and agree to the above listed terms, conditions and counseling fees.

I have read and agree to the above.  Continue to online counseling.