Find Help in Rhode Island
89 government-validated organizations serving Rhode Island — housing counselors, credit counselors, debtor education providers, and legal aid offices.
Why Rhode Island Residents Need Help
Rhode Island's overall distress metrics fall near or below national averages, though mortgage delinquency at 1% stands out. The 89 organizations below serve residents regardless of where the state ranks — individual financial hardship doesn't follow state averages.
Rhode Island's State Distress Index score is 49.7 (Normal), ranking #27 of 51 jurisdictions.
3 of Rhode Island's 5 HUD-approved housing counselors offer foreclosure and default counseling. 4 agencies serve in Spanish, with 5 non-English languages available across all agencies.
11 of the 38 DOJ-approved credit counselors serving Rhode Island offer in-person sessions, and 34 offer online counseling. For the post-filing debtor education course, 8 of 45 providers offer in-person classes.
Housing Counselors (5)
HUD-approved agencies providing free foreclosure prevention counseling, mortgage assistance, and financial guidance.
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 (45)
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 Rhode Island
Read the full Rhode Island foreclosure law guide — timeline, protections, redemption rights, and anti-deficiency rules.
Most-Complained-About Mortgage Servicer in Rhode Island
Wells Fargo & Company leads with 126 CFPB mortgage complaints in Rhode Island (out of 1,308 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
Rhode Island Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How many verified help providers are in Rhode Island?
There are 89 government-validated organizations serving Rhode Island: 5 HUD-approved housing counselors, 38 DOJ-approved credit counselors, 45 debtor education providers, and 1 LSC-funded legal aid offices. Of the 5 counselors, 3 offer foreclosure prevention services and 4 serve in Spanish.
Are housing counselors in Rhode Island 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. Rhode Island uses non-judicial (trustee sale) foreclosure, with a typical timeline of 15 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 Rhode Island?
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. Rhode Island had 1,077 bankruptcy filings last year (#37 nationally per capita). 73% were Chapter 7 liquidations and 26% were Chapter 13 repayment plans.
How do I qualify for free legal aid in Rhode Island?
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. Rhode Island has 1 LSC-funded legal aid office — Rhode Island Legal Services, Inc. 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 Rhode Island use?
Rhode Island uses non-judicial (trustee sale) foreclosure. The typical timeline from first missed payment to sale is roughly 9–15 months. Lenders may choose either path, so timelines vary. See our full Rhode Island foreclosure law guide for details on protections, redemption rights, and homestead exemptions.
What are the top mortgage complaints in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island has 1,308 CFPB mortgage complaints on record across the 30 largest servicers. The most-complained-about servicer is WELLS FARGO & COMPANY with 126 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.