Find Help in New Jersey
126 government-validated organizations serving New Jersey — housing counselors, credit counselors, debtor education providers, and legal aid offices.
Why New Jersey Residents Need Help
New Jersey shows mixed signals — mortgage delinquency at 1.12% and total debt per capita of $70K stand out above national averages. With $70K in debt per capita, the 126 verified organizations below can help residents navigate these financial pressures.
New Jersey's State Distress Index score is 53.6 (Elevated), ranking #20 of 51 jurisdictions.
26 of New Jersey's 33 HUD-approved housing counselors offer foreclosure and default counseling. 17 agencies serve in Spanish, with 23 non-English languages available across all agencies. 3 offer reverse mortgage counseling.
12 of the 40 DOJ-approved credit counselors serving New Jersey offer in-person sessions, and 36 offer online counseling. For the post-filing debtor education course, 7 of 48 providers offer in-person classes.
Housing Counselors (33)
HUD-approved agencies providing free foreclosure prevention counseling, mortgage assistance, and financial guidance.
NEIGHBORHOODS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE fka NHS of Staten Island
PUERTO RICAN ASSOCIATION FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, INC.
Credit Counselors (40)
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 (48)
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 (5)
Federally funded legal aid organizations providing free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals facing foreclosure, debt, and housing issues.
Foreclosure in New Jersey
Read the full New Jersey foreclosure law guide — timeline, protections, redemption rights, and anti-deficiency rules.
Most-Complained-About Mortgage Servicer in New Jersey
Wells Fargo & Company leads with 2,942 CFPB mortgage complaints in New Jersey (out of 18,064 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
New Jersey Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How many verified help providers are in New Jersey?
There are 126 government-validated organizations serving New Jersey: 33 HUD-approved housing counselors, 40 DOJ-approved credit counselors, 48 debtor education providers, and 5 LSC-funded legal aid offices. Of the 33 counselors, 26 offer foreclosure prevention services and 17 serve in Spanish.
Are housing counselors in New Jersey 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. New Jersey uses judicial (court-supervised) foreclosure, with a typical timeline of 20 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 New Jersey?
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. New Jersey had 14,171 bankruptcy filings last year (#24 nationally per capita). 61% were Chapter 7 liquidations and 36% were Chapter 13 repayment plans.
How do I qualify for free legal aid in New Jersey?
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. New Jersey has 5 LSC-funded legal aid offices — Central Jersey Legal Services, 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 New Jersey use?
New Jersey uses judicial (court-supervised) foreclosure. The typical timeline from first missed payment to sale is roughly 9–20 months. Court oversight means the process takes longer but provides more procedural protections. See our full New Jersey foreclosure law guide for details on protections, redemption rights, and homestead exemptions.
What are the top mortgage complaints in New Jersey?
New Jersey has 18,064 CFPB mortgage complaints on record across the 30 largest servicers. The most-complained-about servicer is WELLS FARGO & COMPANY with 2,942 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.