Find Help in Massachusetts
123 government-validated organizations serving Massachusetts — housing counselors, credit counselors, debtor education providers, and legal aid offices.
Why Massachusetts Residents Need Help
Massachusetts's overall distress metrics fall near or below national averages, though total debt per capita of $77K stands out. The 123 organizations below serve residents regardless of where the state ranks — individual financial hardship doesn't follow state averages.
Massachusetts's State Distress Index score is 45.6 (Normal), ranking #34 of 51 jurisdictions.
30 of Massachusetts's 37 HUD-approved housing counselors offer foreclosure and default counseling. 21 agencies serve in Spanish, with 11 non-English languages available across all agencies. 6 offer reverse mortgage counseling.
11 of the 38 DOJ-approved credit counselors serving Massachusetts offer in-person sessions, and 35 offer online counseling. For the post-filing debtor education course, 8 of 44 providers offer in-person classes.
Housing Counselors (37)
HUD-approved agencies providing free foreclosure prevention counseling, mortgage assistance, and financial guidance.
ASIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
FINANCIAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATES, INC.
MERRIMACK VALLEY HOUSING PARTNERSHIP
RCAP SOLUTIONS, INC.
Credit Counselors (38)
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 (44)
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 (4)
Federally funded legal aid organizations providing free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals facing foreclosure, debt, and housing issues.
Foreclosure in Massachusetts
Read the full Massachusetts foreclosure law guide — timeline, protections, redemption rights, and anti-deficiency rules.
Most-Complained-About Mortgage Servicer in Massachusetts
Bank Of America, National Association leads with 1,048 CFPB mortgage complaints in Massachusetts (out of 8,414 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 Bank Of America, National Association complaint profile
Massachusetts Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How many verified help providers are in Massachusetts?
There are 123 government-validated organizations serving Massachusetts: 37 HUD-approved housing counselors, 38 DOJ-approved credit counselors, 44 debtor education providers, and 4 LSC-funded legal aid offices. Of the 37 counselors, 30 offer foreclosure prevention services and 21 serve in Spanish.
Are housing counselors in Massachusetts 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. Massachusetts uses non-judicial (trustee sale) foreclosure, with a typical timeline of 9 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 Massachusetts?
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. Massachusetts had 5,085 bankruptcy filings last year (#47 nationally per capita). 68% were Chapter 7 liquidations and 30% were Chapter 13 repayment plans.
How do I qualify for free legal aid in Massachusetts?
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. Massachusetts has 4 LSC-funded legal aid offices — Community Legal Aid, Inc. is one of the primary providers.
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 Massachusetts use?
Massachusetts uses non-judicial (trustee sale) foreclosure. The typical timeline from first missed payment to sale is roughly 6–9 months. Without court oversight, the process moves faster — making early action even more critical. See our full Massachusetts foreclosure law guide for details on protections, redemption rights, and homestead exemptions.
What are the top mortgage complaints in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has 8,414 CFPB mortgage complaints on record across the 30 largest servicers. The most-complained-about servicer is BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION with 1,048 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 BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION's full complaint profile.