Find Help in Wisconsin
119 government-validated organizations serving Wisconsin — housing counselors, credit counselors, debtor education providers, and legal aid offices.
Why Wisconsin Residents Need Help
Wisconsin's distress metrics fall below national averages across the board, but financial hardship is individual — not statistical. The 119 organizations below serve Wisconsin residents dealing with mortgage trouble, debt collection, or bankruptcy regardless of statewide trends.
Wisconsin's State Distress Index score is 38.6 (Normal), ranking #43 of 51 jurisdictions.
15 of Wisconsin's 22 HUD-approved housing counselors offer foreclosure and default counseling. 11 agencies serve in Spanish, with 5 non-English languages available across all agencies. 3 offer reverse mortgage counseling.
16 of the 43 DOJ-approved credit counselors serving Wisconsin offer in-person sessions, and 37 offer online counseling. For the post-filing debtor education course, 11 of 52 providers offer in-person classes.
Housing Counselors (22)
HUD-approved agencies providing free foreclosure prevention counseling, mortgage assistance, and financial guidance.
CITY OF KENOSHA HOUSING AUTHORITY
LA CASA DE ESPERANZA, INC.
NEIGHBORWORKS BLACKHAWK REGION - NHS OF BELOIT, INC.
Credit Counselors (43)
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 (52)
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 (2)
Federally funded legal aid organizations providing free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals facing foreclosure, debt, and housing issues.
Foreclosure in Wisconsin
Read the full Wisconsin foreclosure law guide — timeline, protections, redemption rights, and anti-deficiency rules.
Most-Complained-About Mortgage Servicer in Wisconsin
Wells Fargo & Company leads with 491 CFPB mortgage complaints in Wisconsin (out of 4,038 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
Wisconsin Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How many verified help providers are in Wisconsin?
There are 119 government-validated organizations serving Wisconsin: 22 HUD-approved housing counselors, 43 DOJ-approved credit counselors, 52 debtor education providers, and 2 LSC-funded legal aid offices. Of the 22 counselors, 15 offer foreclosure prevention services and 11 serve in Spanish.
Are housing counselors in Wisconsin 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. Wisconsin uses judicial (court-supervised) 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 Wisconsin?
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. Wisconsin had 10,171 bankruptcy filings last year (#21 nationally per capita). 65% were Chapter 7 liquidations and 35% were Chapter 13 repayment plans.
How do I qualify for free legal aid in Wisconsin?
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. Wisconsin has 2 LSC-funded legal aid offices — Judicare Legal Aid 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 Wisconsin use?
Wisconsin uses judicial (court-supervised) foreclosure. The typical timeline from first missed payment to sale is roughly 9–15 months. Court oversight means the process takes longer but provides more procedural protections. See our full Wisconsin foreclosure law guide for details on protections, redemption rights, and homestead exemptions.
What are the top mortgage complaints in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin has 4,038 CFPB mortgage complaints on record across the 30 largest servicers. The most-complained-about servicer is WELLS FARGO & COMPANY with 491 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.