Free help near you
Every organization listed here is government-validated — approved by HUD or the DOJ, or funded by the Legal Services Corporation. 1,339 providers across all 50 states and DC.
Pick your state
Your state's foreclosure guide lists every housing counselor, legal aid office, credit counselor and debtor education provider that serves you, next to your state's foreclosure rules. The number beside each state counts the organizations that name that state: HUD housing counselors, legal aid offices, and DOJ credit counselors and debtor education providers listing it. It leaves out the online DOJ providers that serve nearly every state, which are listed below.
Housing counselors (1,019)
Free, confidential counseling from agencies approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies have met federal standards for providing assistance with mortgage delinquency and default resolution, pre-purchase counseling, reverse mortgage counseling, rental counseling, and homeless assistance. Counselors can review your financial situation, help you understand your options, communicate with your mortgage servicer on your behalf, and develop an action plan.
Certification
Each agency is certified by HUD under the Housing Counseling Program (24 CFR Part 214). Counselors must pass a HUD-approved examination and complete continuing education. All counseling is provided at no cost to the homeowner.
Who should use this
Anyone behind on mortgage payments, facing foreclosure, considering a reverse mortgage, preparing to buy a home, or dealing with rental housing issues. HUD counselors are especially valuable early — before you miss payments or receive a foreclosure notice.
Source: HUD Housing Counselor API, data as of 2026-11-06. To see the ones near you, pick your state.
Questions about housing counselors
How much does HUD housing counseling cost?
Foreclosure prevention counseling from a HUD-approved agency is free. Other housing counseling services can carry reasonable fees, and an agency must help you without charge if you cannot afford the fee. Ask about the fee before you start, and be careful if anyone asks for money up front for help with a foreclosure.
What can a HUD-approved counselor help with?
Counselors can help with mortgage delinquency and default resolution, pre-purchase homebuying guidance, reverse mortgage counseling, rental housing issues, and developing a household budget. They can also communicate directly with your mortgage servicer on your behalf.
Should I contact a housing counselor before or after missing a payment?
Before. The earlier you contact a counselor, the more options you have. Counselors can help you negotiate with your servicer before delinquency leads to foreclosure. Even if you're already behind, a counselor can still help — but earlier is better.
Legal aid (125)
Free civil legal assistance for low-income Americans, funded by the Legal Services Corporation.
The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is the single largest funder of civil legal aid in the United States. LSC-funded organizations provide free legal representation to low-income individuals in civil matters including foreclosure defense, debt collection defense, housing disputes, public benefits, family law, and consumer protection. They do not handle criminal cases.
Certification
Each organization receives federal funding through LSC competitive grants under the Legal Services Corporation Act (42 U.S.C. § 2996). Grantees must serve clients at or below 125% of the federal poverty level. Services are provided at no cost to eligible clients.
Who should use this
Low-income individuals facing foreclosure who need legal representation, anyone being sued by debt collectors, tenants facing eviction, people with consumer protection issues, or anyone who needs a lawyer but cannot afford one. Call to ask about income eligibility.
Source: Legal Services Corporation (LSC), data as of 2026-11-06. To see the ones near you, pick your state.
Questions about legal aid
How do I qualify for free legal aid?
LSC-funded organizations generally serve individuals and families with incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty level. Each organization has its own intake process and may have additional criteria. Call and ask about eligibility — many will still help or refer you even if you're slightly above the income threshold.
Can legal aid help me fight a foreclosure?
Yes. Foreclosure defense is one of the most common services legal aid organizations provide. They can review your loan documents for servicer errors, represent you in court, negotiate with your lender, challenge improper foreclosure procedures, and help you explore alternatives like loan modification.
What types of cases do legal aid organizations handle?
Civil cases including foreclosure defense, debt collection lawsuits, housing disputes, eviction defense, public benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI), family law, consumer protection, and immigration. They do NOT handle criminal cases.
Credit counselors (68)
Pre-bankruptcy credit counseling agencies approved by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Before filing for bankruptcy (Chapter 7 or Chapter 13), federal law requires you to complete a credit counseling session with a DOJ-approved agency within 180 days of filing. These agencies evaluate your financial situation, discuss alternatives to bankruptcy, and help you develop a budget. Many also offer debt management plans (DMPs) as a bankruptcy alternative.
Certification
Each agency is approved by the U.S. Department of Justice U.S. Trustee Program under 11 U.S.C. § 111. Agencies must be nonprofit, provide services regardless of ability to pay, and have their curricula reviewed and approved. Fees are typically $10-50, with waivers available for those who cannot afford to pay.
Who should use this
Anyone considering filing for bankruptcy (required pre-filing step), anyone struggling with unsecured debt who wants professional guidance on alternatives, or anyone seeking a structured debt management plan.
34 credit counselors serve nearly every state
- $$$$$$0$ Bk Class, Inc. · 877-376-7122
- $$$$$Simple Class, Inc. · 866-742-6259
- 001 Debtorcc, Inc. · 800-610-3920
- 1$ Wiser Consumer Education, Inc. · 877-274-9479
- 123 Credit Counselors, Inc · 888-412-2123
- A Plus Class · 888-533-3423
- Abacus Credit Counseling · 800-516-3834
- Access Counseling, Inc. · 800-205-9297
- Allen Credit and Debt Counseling Agency · 888-415-8173
- American Consumer Credit Counseling, Inc. · 866-826-6924
- American Pacific Financial Services Corp. · 800-682-4007
- Black Hills Children's Ranch, Inc. · 605-348-1608
- Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp. · 800-403-3433
- CC Advising, Inc. · 855-980-6690
- Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Puerto Rico, Inc. · 787-722-8835
- Credit Advisors Foundation · 402-393-3100
- Credit Card Management Services, Inc. d/b/a Debthelper.com · 800-920-2262
- Credit Counseling Center · 833-838-1160
- Cricket Debt Counseling · 503-353-0400
- Debt Education and Certification Foundation · 866-859-7323
- Dollar Learning Foundation, Inc. · 877-366-6070
- Evergreen Financial Counseling · 800-581-3513
- Financial Education Services Inc. · 888-385-9209
- Garden State Consumer Credit Counseling, Inc., d/b/a Navicore Solutions · 732-409-6281
- GreenPath, Inc., dba Greenpath Financial Wellness · 248-553-5400
- InCharge Debt Solutions · 866-729-0049
- Money Management International, Inc. · 877-964-2227
- MoneySharp Credit Counseling Inc. · 866-200-6825
- National Debt Management, Inc. · 248-200-2106
- Stand Sure Counseling Services, Inc. · 877-240-1398
- Take Charge America, Inc. · 623-266-6100
- Test Agency for CCDE 2.2.2, LLC · 301-555-1111
- The Kingdom Ministries, Inc. · 901-552-5131
- Urgent Credit Counseling, Inc. · 866-233-1940
Source: DOJ US Trustee Program — Credit Counseling Agencies, data as of 2026-11-06. To see the ones near you, pick your state.
Questions about credit counselors
Is credit counseling required before filing for bankruptcy?
Yes. Federal law (11 U.S.C. § 109(h)) requires you to complete a credit counseling session with a DOJ-approved agency within 180 days before filing for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. You must file a certificate of completion with your bankruptcy petition.
How much does pre-bankruptcy credit counseling cost?
Typically $10-50. However, agencies are required to provide services regardless of your ability to pay. If you cannot afford the fee, ask about a fee waiver — agencies must consider waiver requests.
Can I do credit counseling online or by phone?
Yes. Many DOJ-approved agencies offer telephone and internet-based counseling in addition to in-person sessions. The service method tags on each listing show which delivery methods an agency supports.
What is the difference between credit counseling and debtor education?
Credit counseling is required BEFORE filing for bankruptcy — a counselor reviews your finances and discusses alternatives. Debtor education is required AFTER filing — a course that covers budgeting and financial management. They are provided by different sets of approved agencies.
Debtor education (127)
Post-filing debtor education courses required to complete the bankruptcy process.
After filing for bankruptcy, federal law requires you to complete a debtor education course before your debts can be discharged. This is separate from the pre-filing credit counseling requirement. The course covers personal financial management topics including budgeting, money management, and the wise use of credit. Most courses can be completed in about 2 hours.
Certification
Each provider is approved by the U.S. Trustee Program under 11 U.S.C. § 111. Providers must offer instruction on budgeting, financial management, and the wise use of credit. Fees are typically $10-50, with waivers available. Alabama and North Carolina are excluded as they are administered by Bankruptcy Administrators rather than the U.S. Trustee.
Who should use this
Anyone who has filed for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy and needs to complete the required post-filing financial management course to receive their discharge.
40 debtor education serve nearly every state
- #WestbayEconomics · 813-966-4503
- $$ Bankruptcy Debtor Education · 866-969-2533
- $$$$$$0$ Bk Class, Inc. · 877-376-7122
- $$$$$Simple Class, Inc. · 866-742-6259
- $10 Debtor Education, LLC · 877-601-4141
- 001 Debtoredu LLC · 800-610-3920
- 1$ Wiser Consumer Education, Inc. · 877-274-9479
- 1stopbk.com Inc. · 888-988-3410
- 247 Bankruptcy Class, Inc. · 866-412-7247
- A Plus Class · 888-533-3423
- Access Counseling, Inc. · 800-205-9297
- Allen Credit and Debt Counseling Agency · 888-415-8173
- American Consumer Credit Counseling, Inc. · 866-826-6924
- American Financial Pathways Corporation · 321-258-4432
- Arbor Investment LTD. · 402-393-0119
- BE Adviser, LLC · 855-976-1700
- BK Class Inc. · 877-460-7337
- Black Hills Children's Ranch, Inc. · 605-348-1608
- Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp. · 800-403-3433
- Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Puerto Rico, Inc. · 787-722-8835
- Credit Card Management Services, Inc. d/b/a Debthelper.com · 800-920-2262
- Credit Counseling Center · 833-838-1160
- Debt Education and Certification Foundation · 866-859-7323
- Dollar Learning Foundation, Inc. · 877-366-6070
- Evergreen Financial Counseling · 800-581-3513
- Financial Education Services Inc. · 888-385-9209
- Garden State Consumer Credit Counseling, Inc., d/b/a Navicore Solutions · 732-409-6281
- InCharge Debt Solutions · 866-729-0049
- Money Management International, Inc. · 877-964-2227
- MoneySharp Credit Counseling Inc. · 866-200-6825
- National Debt Management, Inc. · 248-200-2106
- Parachute Credit Counseling, Inc. · 716-712-2060
- Professional Financial Guidance, LLC · 800-725-4734
- Sage Personal Finance · 800-516-2759
- Second Bankruptcy Course, LLC · 800-554-1147
- Solid Start Financial Education Services, LLC · 866-467-4147
- Stand Sure Counseling Services, Inc. · 877-240-1398
- Take Charge America, Inc. · 623-266-6100
- The Kingdom Ministries, Inc. · 901-552-5131
- Trustees' Education Network, Inc. · 803-252-5646
Source: DOJ US Trustee Program — Debtor Education Providers, data as of 2026-11-06. To see the ones near you, pick your state.
Questions about debtor education
When do I need to take the debtor education course?
After filing your bankruptcy petition but before your debts are discharged. For Chapter 7, this is typically within 60 days of your first meeting of creditors. For Chapter 13, it's before the last payment under your plan. The court will not grant your discharge without the completion certificate.
Is this the same as the pre-filing credit counseling requirement?
No. Credit counseling (pre-filing) and debtor education (post-filing) are two separate requirements. You need both to complete the bankruptcy process. They may be offered by different agencies — make sure you use a provider approved for debtor education, not just credit counseling.
Why are Alabama and North Carolina not listed?
Alabama and North Carolina operate under Bankruptcy Administrators rather than the U.S. Trustee Program. The DOJ's approved provider lists cover only U.S. Trustee districts. Residents of those states should consult their local Bankruptcy Administrator's office for approved providers.
Are you a counselor, attorney, or legal aid provider?
Submit your organization to be listed. Free for government-approved counselors and licensed professionals.
Get Listed →Related Resources
Questions about the directory
How are these providers selected?
We do not select, rate, or rank providers. Every organization listed here was approved or funded by a federal agency: HUD-approved housing counselors, DOJ-approved credit counseling and debtor education agencies, and LSC-funded legal aid grantees.
Are these services free?
Foreclosure prevention counseling from HUD-approved agencies is free (other counseling can carry reasonable fees, and an agency must help you if you cannot afford one). LSC-funded legal aid is free for qualifying low-income individuals. DOJ-approved credit counseling and debtor education courses may charge modest fees (typically $10-50), though fee waivers are available for those who cannot pay.
How often is this data updated?
Listings are refreshed from the source agencies periodically. HUD counselor data comes from the HUD Housing Counselor API. DOJ credit counseling and debtor education lists are parsed from the US Trustee Program's daily XML feeds. LSC legal aid data comes from the LSC's Programs database.
How do I get my organization listed?
Listings come from federal agencies (HUD, DOJ, LSC). If your organization is government-approved or you are a licensed attorney, you can also submit your listing for review. All submissions are reviewed before publication.