Find Help in Iowa
100 government-validated organizations serving Iowa — housing counselors, credit counselors, debtor education providers, and legal aid offices.
Why Iowa Residents Need Help
Iowa's distress metrics fall below national averages across the board, but financial hardship is individual — not statistical. The 100 organizations below serve Iowa residents dealing with mortgage trouble, debt collection, or bankruptcy regardless of statewide trends.
Iowa's State Distress Index score is 41.3 (Normal), ranking #39 of 51 jurisdictions.
6 of Iowa's 11 HUD-approved housing counselors offer foreclosure and default counseling. 3 agencies serve in Spanish, with 6 non-English languages available across all agencies. 1 offers reverse mortgage counseling.
14 of the 41 DOJ-approved credit counselors serving Iowa offer in-person sessions, and 37 offer online counseling. For the post-filing debtor education course, 9 of 47 providers offer in-person classes.
Housing Counselors (11)
HUD-approved agencies providing free foreclosure prevention counseling, mortgage assistance, and financial guidance.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF DUBUQUE
CCCS OF ROCHESTER-NORTHEASTERN IOWA
HORIZONS, A FAMILY SERVICE ALLIANCE (HORIZONS CCCS)
Credit Counselors (41)
DOJ-approved agencies providing the required pre-filing credit counseling for bankruptcy, plus general debt management plans.
American Consumer Credit Counseling, Inc.
Springboard Nonprofit Consumer Credit Management, Inc. DBA credit.org
Debtor Education (47)
DOJ-approved providers for the required post-filing debtor education course in bankruptcy proceedings.
Springboard Nonprofit Consumer Credit Management, Inc. DBA credit.org
Legal Aid (1)
Federally funded legal aid organizations providing free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals facing foreclosure, debt, and housing issues.
Foreclosure in Iowa
Read the full Iowa foreclosure law guide — timeline, protections, redemption rights, and anti-deficiency rules.
Most-Complained-About Mortgage Servicer in Iowa
Wells Fargo & Company leads with 190 CFPB mortgage complaints in Iowa (out of 1,269 total across all servicers). If you're having issues with your servicer, a HUD-approved counselor can help you navigate the complaint process.
File a CFPB complaint · View full Wells Fargo & Company complaint profile
Iowa Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How many verified help providers are in Iowa?
There are 100 government-validated organizations serving Iowa: 11 HUD-approved housing counselors, 41 DOJ-approved credit counselors, 47 debtor education providers, and 1 LSC-funded legal aid offices. Of the 11 counselors, 6 offer foreclosure prevention services and 3 serve in Spanish.
Are housing counselors in Iowa free?
Yes. HUD-approved housing counselors provide free, confidential assistance. They can help you understand your options if you're behind on your mortgage, facing foreclosure, or dealing with a reverse mortgage. Iowa uses non-judicial (trustee sale) foreclosure, with a typical timeline of 12 months. The earlier you contact a counselor, the more options you'll have. Call 1-800-569-4287 to reach one.
What is the difference between credit counseling and debtor education in Iowa?
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, money management, and using credit wisely. Both are provided by DOJ-approved agencies. Iowa had 3,738 bankruptcy filings last year (#33 nationally per capita). 82% were Chapter 7 liquidations and 17% were Chapter 13 repayment plans.
How do I qualify for free legal aid in Iowa?
LSC-funded legal aid is available to low-income individuals, typically those earning below 125% of the federal poverty level. Each organization has its own intake process — call and ask about eligibility. Many can help with foreclosure defense, debt collection harassment, and housing disputes. Iowa has 1 LSC-funded legal aid office — Iowa Legal Aid is the primary provider.
How current is this directory data?
Provider listings are pulled from federal government databases: HUD's Housing Counselor API, the DOJ US Trustee Program's approved agency feeds, and the Legal Services Corporation's grantee database. Data is refreshed periodically from these official sources.
What type of foreclosure does Iowa use?
Iowa uses non-judicial (trustee sale) foreclosure. The typical timeline from first missed payment to sale is roughly 3–12 months. Lenders may choose either path, so timelines vary. See our full Iowa foreclosure law guide for details on protections, redemption rights, and homestead exemptions.
What are the top mortgage complaints in Iowa?
Iowa has 1,269 CFPB mortgage complaints on record across the 30 largest servicers. The most-complained-about servicer is WELLS FARGO & COMPANY with 190 complaints. If you're having issues with your servicer, a HUD-approved counselor can help you navigate the complaint process, or you can file a CFPB complaint directly. See WELLS FARGO & COMPANY's full complaint profile.