Pre-Bankruptcy Counseling Disclosure

People who are considering filing for bankruptcy are required to receive “counseling” before filing. Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin, Inc. (Goodwill NCW, We or Us) will do a budget analysis examining your financial situation, discuss factors that may be causing problems, and explore options for developing a reasonable plan for dealing with them. We will provide you with information about bankruptcy, its process, and possible consequences.

1. We charge a fee of $0-$50 per person which includes the generation of the certificate.
2. The fee will be waived if your current income is less than 150 percent of the poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of 42 U.S.C. 9902(2), as adjusted from time to time, for a household or family of the size involved in the fee determination. Please ask us if you have questions about these income levels. No one is turned away if they cannot afford to pay.
3. We provide free bilingual counseling services or professional interpreter assistance to any limited English proficient client.
4. This agency receives financial support from grants from various funders.
5. The consumer credit counselor conducting or supervising this session has been trained and certified in accordance with the National Association of Certified Credit Counselors (NACCC) standards, and while he/she has expertise in helping those with financial problems, he/she cannot provide you with legal advice. In fact, this session is designed to provide you with information and alternatives; it is not intended to take the place of a consultation with an attorney to explore your legal rights and options.
6. We will discuss any potential impacts on credit reports of all alternatives that we discuss with you. The purpose of this session is to provide you with information so that you may chose the option that you think is best. If you decide to declare bankruptcy, it will remain on your credit report for up to 10 years. Budget and credit counseling do not produce a negative impact on credit scores. If you enroll in a Debt Management Program, a notation may appear on your report that you are making payments through a third party and that the account is closed. That notation is at the discretion of the lender. A consumer’s score is not negatively affected simply by enrolling in a DMP. If you should decide to enter a DMP (which will be explained during this session) you will be referred to another agency who handles DMPs.
7. We do not pay or receive referral fees for the referral of clients.
8. It is our obligation to provide a certificate to the client, promptly upon completion of credit counseling services, no later than one business day after completion of counseling and shall issue certificates only in the form approved by the United States Trustee and only from the Certificate Generating System maintained by the United States Trustee.
9. The client has the opportunity to negotiate an alternative payment schedule with regard to each unsecured consumer debt under terms as set forth in 11 U.S.C.502(k), and we may refer the client to another approved agency, and the client may incur additional fees in connection with such a referral.
10. We may disclose client information to the United States Trustee in connection with the oversight of the agency, or during the investigation of complaints, during on-site visits, or during quality-of-service reviews.
11. The United States Trustee has reviewed only the agency’s debtor education and credit counseling services and has neither reviewed nor approved any other services the agency provides to clients.
12. The client will receive a certificate only if the client completes counseling services. The certificate is valid for up to 180 days from date of completion of counseling.

Counseling Agreement

1. Authorization: I authorize Goodwill NCW, a nonprofit organization, and its staff to provide counseling and advice regarding money management and budgeting based on my financial situation. I understand that I may receive follow-up emails and mobile communications during and after services. I agree to provide feedback and updates about the services I receive.
2. Participant Fees (Fees may be waived if your household income is less than 150% of the poverty guidelines. Please call 1-800-366-8161 for waiver.)
   1. Initial Assessment: Free (up to 30 minutes with a certified credit counselor by phone, online, or in person to assess your financial situation and discuss options).
   2. Financial Counseling Appointment: $0-25 per session.
   3. Pre-Bankruptcy Counseling: $0–$50 per person.
   4. Pre-Discharge Education: $0–$25 per person.
3. Bankruptcy Guidance: Counselors can answer questions about bankruptcy but cannot provide legal advice. You may be referred to other services within our organization or to external agencies as appropriate.
4. Confidentiality: All personal money management interviews are confidential. If you choose to pursue one-on-one counseling, your privacy will be protected.
5. Counselor Qualifications: Interviews are conducted by certified or qualified consumer credit counselors. All action plans not completed by a certified counselor will be reviewed by one. Our counselors are trained and certified according to the National Association of Certified Credit Counselors. A qualified counselor has completed training but not all certification requirements.
6. Counseling Services: We offer general financial counseling as well as specialized services in bankruptcy, housing, student loan debt, and educational workshops. You are not required to purchase any additional services to receive counseling.
7. Action Plan: If you choose one-on-one counseling, you will receive a written assessment with a suggested action plan.
8. Grievance Procedure: If you are dissatisfied, you may use Goodwill NCW’s Grievance Procedure.
9. Liability: You are responsible for decisions regarding your financial concerns. Goodwill NCW, its staff, and agents are not liable for any claims or actions resulting from advice or counseling.
10. Non-Discrimination Policy: We serve all community members regardless of race, religion, color, gender, national origin, or disability.
11. Research and Evaluation: Your information may be used for confidential research, and you may be contacted by a neutral third party to evaluate our services.
12. Legal Requirements: We may contact, cooperate, and exchange information with law enforcement, prosecuting agencies, or collection agencies as required by law.

We are a non-profit agency. We are organized and operating in accordance with Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. By clicking “Agree” you are confirming that you have read and understand the disclosures above.

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