Author: Lisa Frankenberger

Parachute Services, Relief Programs, Student Loans

MORE Student Loan NEWS:

45% of 18-35 Year Old NYS Residents Have Student Loan Debt

Parachute Credit Counseling Offers FREE Assistance and Counseling

Bad News: Proposed Loan Forgiveness Program Struck Down by Supreme Court

Payments to Resume on October 1st

Good News:  804,000 Borrowers Will Have Their Loans Automatically Discharged via Income Driven Repayment (IDR) Plans—Program Extended; Parachute Can Help

NEW SAVE Repayment Plan Announced: Most Affordable Plan Ever Created

12 Month Grace Period: Borrowers Will Not Be Penalized for Missing Payments

Millions of Americans will soon resume paying their student loans, whether they want to or not. In their recent 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court rejected the much hoped for, yet controversial, student loan forgiveness proposal.

This means that interest will once again begin accruing on outstanding loan balances this September. Then, on October 1st, payments resume and 44 million Americans will be paying an average of $210 to $314 each month toward their loan balances (according to Wells Fargo).

However, there is hope that there may be other methods to facilitate student loan forgiveness and the U.S. Department of Education is hard at work on various strategies. 

Late last week, the Department of Education announced a few positive steps, beginning with the news that 804,000 borrowers will have $39 billion in Federal loans automatically discharged due to Income Driven Repayment (IDR) Plan/IDR Account Adjustment. This program had disappointed many until very recently when great effort was put into fixing it. More info coming later in this release: many people could benefit so it is suggested that everyone look into it.

The Department of Education also announced the SAVE Plan (Saving on a Valuable Education) which they have called “the most affordable repayment plan ever created.” This new plan will cut monthly payments to $0 for millions of borrowers making $32,800 or less ($67,500 for a family of four) and save all other borrowers at least $1,000 per year. Additionally, it will stop runaway interest that leaves borrowers owing more than their initial loan.

And in a final announcement, in an effort to ease the transition to monthly payments, President Biden and the U.S. Department of Education stated that there will be a 12-month “on-ramp” period starting in October where “missed, partial, or late payments will not lead to negative credit reporting, default, or loans being sent to collection agencies.” Additionally, missed payments will not count toward loan forgiveness under any of the income-driven repayment plans or Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

We are currently facing a unique, unprecedented situation that will significantly impact millions—along with the entire economy–over the next few years.

Since March 2020, borrowers have had a pause in their student loan payments—with no interest accruing–due to the pandemic. This break let those with loans stay current on other bills and obligations, pay down other debt, or for some, build up their savings.  The resumption of loan payments is expected to have an adverse economic impact with a slow down in overall spending and an increase in defaults and forebearances. Never in the history of the federal student loan system have over 40 million borrowers simultaneously resumed repayment after a three-year hiatus.

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), about 20% of student loan borrowers have risk factors that indicate they could struggle when payments resume. More than 1 in 13 student loan borrowers are currently behind on other payment obligations, a rate higher than before the student loan pause started in March 2020 during the pandemic.

Student loan borrowers owe more in other debts now as well. The CFPB found that median scheduled payments on other debt obligations have increased by 24% for borrowers whose student loans will soon become due. In percentage terms, those increases are especially notable for younger borrowers—a whopping 252% increase from $65 to $229.

Income Driven Repayment (IDR) Plan/IDR Account Adjustment

As mentioned earlier, there are positive options available for student loan borrowers. One of these is the the Income Driven Repayment (IDR) Plan/IDR Account Adjustment which was recently extended until December 31, 2023. Income Driven Repayment (IDR) Plans allow borrowers to make payments on their federal student loans according to a formula based on their income and family size—the payments are deliberately meant to be smaller. Ostensibly this program had been in place prior to the pandemic but there were major issues with it, resulting in few people actually receiving the proper help to enroll in this program.

Last year, the U.S. Department of Education implemented IDR Account Adjustment to help student loan borrowers benefit from the program as it was initially intended. The Department worked to remove the confusion surrounding the program, making it more accessible and available to student loan borrowers. It also conducted a one-time adjustment of IDR payments to address past inaccuracies and improved their previous subpar tracking procedures.

On July 14th, the Department of Education began notifying 804,000 borrowers that they  have a total of $39 billion in federal student loans that will be discharded in coming weeks. In total, more than $116.6 billion in student loan forgiveness for more than 3.4 million borrowers has been approved.

In final good news, there is no application required for the IDR Account Adjustment. Borrowers will automatically receive the benefits. A critical element, however, is that borrowers with non-Direct and non-government-held federal student loans need to consolidate those loans into the federal Direct consolidation program in order to benefit from the IDR Account Adjustment.

The U.S. Department of Education advises: “Borrowers who have commercially managed FFEL, Perkins, or Health Education Assistance Loan Program loans should apply for a Direct Consolidation Loan by the end of 2023 to get the full benefits of the one-time account adjustment.” Additional info available here: https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/idr-account-adjustment

Parachute Credit Counseling—formerly known as Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Buffalo (CCCS)— recently announced that they are now offering free Student Loan Counseling—including assistance with the IDR Account Adjustment process and loan consolidation–throughout the eight counties of Western New York along with expert strategies for attaining financial stability.

The experienced, certified financial counselors at Parachute will help WNY residents consolidate their loans and review other potential relief options and changes to existing programs available to help borrowers reduce or eliminate their debt. Now is the time for borrowers to seek free and unbiased counseling. Call 716-712-2060 or visit https://parachutecreditcounseling.org/ for more information on our Student Loan Counseling Program and other financial counseling services we provide.

Parachute Services, Student Loans

Student Loan Update

45% of 18-35 Year Old NYS Residents Have Student Loan Debt

Bad News: Proposed Loan Forgiveness Program Struck Down by Supreme Court

Payments to Resume on October 1st

Good News: 12 Month Grace Period: Borrowers Will Not Be Penalized for Missing Payments

Income Driven Repayment (IDR) Plan Adjustment Extended BUT Help May Be Needed

Parachute Credit Counseling Offers FREE Assistance and Counseling, can help with IDR

Millions of Americans will soon resume paying their student loans, whether they want to or not. In a 6-3 decision on June 30th, the Supreme Court rejected the much hoped for, yet controversial, student loan forgiveness proposal.

There is hope that there may be other methods to facilitate student loan forgiveness but for now, there is much disappointment as interest will once again begin accruing on loan outstanding balances this September. Then, on October 1st, payments resume and 44 million Americans will be paying an average of $210 to $314 each month toward their loan balances (according to Wells Fargo).

In an effort to ease the transition to monthly payments, President Biden and the U.S. Department of Education stated that there will be a 12-month “on-ramp” period starting in October where “missed, partial, or late payments will not lead to negative credit reporting, default, or loans being sent to collection agencies.”

For the past three years, borrowers have had a pause in their student loan payments—with no interest accruing–due to the pandemic. This break let those with loans stay current on other bills and obligations, pay down other debt, or for some, build up their savings.  The resumption of loan payments is expected to have an adverse economic impact with a slow down in overall spending and an increase in defaults and forebearances. Never in the history of the federal student loan system have over 40 million borrowers simultaneously resumed repayment after a three-year hiatus.

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), about 20% of student loan borrowers have risk factors that indicate they could struggle when payments resume. More than 1 in 13 student loan borrowers are currently behind on other payment obligations, a rate higher than before the student loan pause started in March 2020 during the pandemic.

Student loan borrowers owe more in other debts now as well. The CFPB found that median scheduled payments on other debt obligations have increased by 24% for borrowers whose student loans will soon become due. In percentage terms, those increases are especially notable for younger borrowers—a whopping 252% increase from $65 to $229.

Income Driven Repayment (IDR) Plan/IDR Account Adjustment

Although student loan forgiveness is not imminent, there are positive options available for student loan borrowers. One of these is the the Income Driven Repayment (IDR) Plan/IDR Account Adjustment which was recently extended until December 31, 2023. Income Driven Repayment (IDR) Plans allow borrowers to make payments on their federal student loans according to a formula based on their income and family size—the payments are deliberately meant to be smaller. Ostensibly this program had been in place prior to the pandemic but there were major issues with it, resulting in few people actually receiving the proper help to enroll in this program.

Last year, the U.S. Department of Education implemented IDR Account Adjustment to help student loan borrowers benefit from the program as it was initially intended. The Department worked to remove the confusion surrounding the program, making it more accessible and available to student loan borrowers. It also conducted a one-time adjustment of IDR payments to address past inaccuracies and improved their previous subpar tracking procedures.

In final good news, there is no application required for the IDR Account Adjustment. Borrowers will automatically receive the benefits. A critical element, however, is that borrowers with non-Direct and non-government-held federal student loans need to consolidate those loans into the federal Direct consolidation program in order to benefit from the IDR Account Adjustment.

The U.S. Department of Education advises: “Borrowers who have commercially managed FFEL, Perkins, or Health Education Assistance Loan Program loans should apply for a Direct Consolidation Loan by the end of 2023 to get the full benefits of the one-time account adjustment.” Additional info available here: https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/idr-account-adjustment

Parachute Credit Counseling—formerly known as Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Buffalo (CCCS)— recently announced that they are now offering free Student Loan Counseling throughout the eight counties of Western New York along with expert strategies for attaining financial stability.

The experienced, certified financial counselors at Parachute will help WNY residents consolidate their loans and review other potential relief options and changes to existing programs available to help borrowers reduce or eliminate their debt. Now is the time for borrowers to seek free and unbiased counseling.

Call 716-712-2060 or visit https://parachutecreditcounseling.org/services/ for more information on our Student Loan Counseling Program and other financial counseling services we provide.

Credit, Debt, Parachute Services

How to Improve Your Credit Score

Your credit score is a number that lenders use to assess your creditworthiness. It is based on a variety of factors, including your payment history, the amount of debt you have, and the length of your credit history. A good credit score can help you get approved for loans and credit cards with lower interest rates, which can save you money in the long run.

There are a few things you can do to improve your credit score:

  • Pay your bills on time. This is the most important factor in determining your credit score. Make sure to pay your bills in full and on time each month.
  • Keep your credit utilization low. Credit utilization is the amount of debt you have compared to your total available credit. Aim to keep your credit utilization below 30%.
  • Avoid opening too many new accounts. Hard inquiries, which are requests for new credit, can temporarily lower your credit score. Try to limit the number of new accounts you open each year.
  • Get a copy of your credit report and dispute any errors. Review your credit report for any errors, such as accounts that are not yours or late payments that you did not make. Dispute any errors with the credit bureaus.

Improving your credit score takes time and effort, but it is worth it in the long run. By following these tips, you can improve your credit score and get the best possible terms on loans and credit cards.

Here are some additional tips to help you improve your credit score:

  • Get a secured credit card. A secured credit card is a good option for people with bad credit. With a secured credit card, you will need to make a deposit, which will be your credit limit. Using a secured credit card responsibly can help you build your credit history and improve your credit score.
  • Pay down debt. The less debt you have, the better your credit score will be. Make a plan to pay down your debt as quickly as possible.
  • Be patient. It takes time to improve your credit score. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately. Just keep working at it and you will eventually reach your goal.
  • Contact Parachute! Here at Parachute, we offer one-on-one Credit Report Review, and Financial Counseling sessions to review your specific credit situation and can offer individualized results that align with your goals.

www.parachutecreditcounseling.org 716-712-2060

Budget, Parachute Services

How to Budget Your Money: A Beginner’s Guide

Budgeting is a key part of financial management, but it can be difficult to know where to start. This blog post will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to budget your money, so you can take control of your finances and reach your financial goals.

Step 1: Track Your Spending

The first step to budgeting is to track your spending. This will help you see where your money is going and identify areas where you can cut back. There are a number of ways to track your spending, including using a budgeting app, keeping a spreadsheet, or simply writing down your expenses in a notebook.

Step 2: Create a Budget

Once you have tracked your spending, you can create a budget. A budget is simply a plan for how you will spend your money each month. There are a number of different budgeting methods, so find one that works for you. Some popular budgeting methods include the 50/30/20 rule, the envelope method, and zero-based budgeting.

Step 3: Stick to Your Budget

The most important step in budgeting is to stick to your budget. This can be difficult, but there are a number of things you can do to make it easier. First, make sure you have a realistic budget. Don’t try to cut back too much too soon, or you’re likely to give up. Second, automate your budget. This means setting up automatic transfers from your checking account to your savings account. This will help you save money without even thinking about it. Third, track your progress. This will help you stay motivated and see how you’re doing.

Step 4: Review Your Budget Regularly

Your budget should be a living document. That means you should review it regularly and make changes as needed. Your income and expenses may change over time, so your budget should change too.

Step 5: Make a Plan for Overspending

Everyone overspends from time to time. It’s important to have a plan for what you’ll do if you overspend. One option is to have an emergency fund for unexpected expenses. Another option is to transfer money from your savings account to cover the overspending.

Step 6: Reward Yourself

When you reach a financial goal, be sure to reward yourself. This will help you stay motivated and keep working towards your goals.

Budgeting can be a challenge, but it’s worth it. By following the steps in this post, you can take control of your finances and reach your financial goals.

If you’d like more detailed, individualized assistance, contact Parachute Credit Counseling at 716-712-2060 or www.parachutecreditcounseling.org

Debt, Parachute Services, Student Loans

Good News & Bad News with Student Loans: Income Driven Repayment Plan Adjustment Extended; Student Loan Forgiveness Still Blocked By Lawsuit

Loan Consolidation Required–Parachute Credit Counseling Offers FREE Assistance and Counseling

While student loan forgiveness remains on hold for the forseeable future, Income Driven Repayment (IDR) plans are an available opportunity designed to financially assist borrowers and to ultimately reform the student loan system. These plans allow borrowers to make payments on their federal student loans according to a formula based on their income and family size—the payments were deliberately meant to be smaller. Ostensibly this program had been in place but there were major issues in it, resulting in few people actually receiving the proper help.

Last year, IDR Account Adjustment was announced to help student loan borrowers benefit from the program as it was initially intended. The Department of Education will conduct a one-time adjustment of IDR payments to address past inaccuracies and permanently fix IDR payment counting by reforming ED’s IDR tracking procedures going forward.

This past week, the IDR Account Adjustment was extended from May 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.

The IDR Account Adjustment is further planned to remove the confusion surrounding this program and make it more accessible and available to student loan borrowers.

Other Changes include:

  • A retroactive credit toward a borrower’s 20- or 25-year student loan forgiveness term, even if they are not presently in an IDR plan.
  • A credit toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness for qualifying borrowers.
  • A credit for Parent PLUS borrowers.

There is no application required for the IDR Account Adjustment. Borrowers will automatically receive the benefits.

A critical element, however, is that borrowers with non-Direct and non-government-held federal student loans need to consolidate those loans into the federal Direct consolidation program in order to benefit from the IDR Account Adjustment.

The U.S. Department of Education advises: “Borrowers who have commercially managed FFEL, Perkins, or Health Education Assistance Loan Program loans should apply for a Direct Consolidation Loan by the end of 2023 to get the full benefits of the one-time account adjustment.” Additional info available here: https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/idr-account-adjustment

Parachute Credit Counseling—formerly known as Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Buffalo (CCCS)—is the only local nonprofit organization with expertise in student loan consolidation. Parachute recently announced that they are now offering free Student Loan Counseling throughout the eight counties of Western New York along with expert strategies for attaining financial stability.

Credit, Debt, Parachute Services, Uncategorized

Can I Negotiate Credit Card Debt?

Many of us have been there… our credit card debt is mounting. The increased interest rates aren’t helping matters, and we are starting to feel like we need a plan.

When you are first starting out on your path to become debt free, it can be very overwhelming. After internet searches, and reading some articles, you see that debt management and debt settlement come up often. But what is the difference and how do you know what is right for you?

Debt Management Plan (DMP)

Debt Management Plans (DMP) are typically offered by non-profit credit counseling agencies (like Parachute!) It’s a plan between you and the credit counseling agency designed to repay your unsecured debts in full within 5 years or less. The agency will negotiate with your creditors to lower your interest rates, lower monthly payments, and stop fees.  One monthly deposit is made to the credit counseling agency, then your funds are distributed to your creditors every month. You don’t have to be behind on your debt to enroll, and since the companies offering DMPs are typically non-profit, the fees for service are low. You will review your finances, credit and goals with a certified credit counselor who can help you understand your options.

Debt Settlement

Debt Settlement is when your debt is settled for less than the full amount you currently owe, typically in one lump sum payment. You usually cannot settle your debts without being significantly past due, or in default. Any amount of debt forgiven over $600 is considered taxable income by the IRS. For example, if owe $8,000 on a debt, and the creditor agrees to a settlement amount of $5,000, you will owe taxes on the $3,000 forgiven by the creditor. You can negotiate a debt settlement yourself, but there are for-profit companies that you pay to hold your money to save up enough to settle the debt, and to help with negotiations. Fees can be high, and you risk further damaging your credit and lawsuits from creditors that are not willing to settle or wait until you’ve saved enough money to pay the settlement.

What is the difference between a DMP through a credit counseling agency and a Debt Settlement Company?

Credit Counseling Agencies that offer Debt Management PlansDebt settlement companies
Usually non-profit organizationsUsually are for-profit companies that charge a fee for their services. Generally, these companies cannot charge you until after they perform services
Advise you on managing your money and debts and help you budget your paymentsOffer to arrange settlements of your debts with creditors or debt collectors
Reach agreed upon payment plans or agreements with your creditors to ensure that the creditors will not pursue collection efforts or charge late fees while on the planOften have no up-front agreements with creditors. Some creditors will not negotiate with debt settlement companies
Usually do not negotiate any reduction in the amounts you owe – instead, they can lower your overall monthly paymentTypically offer to pay off your debts with a lump sum payment that you save up in an independent account that you control
Do not advise you to stop paying your debt, but may help negotiate your monthly paymentsUsually advise that you stop paying your creditors until a debt settlement is negotiated with creditors, which may damage your credit and result in your being sued
Payment plans do not usually have tax implicationsDebt settlement may involve debt forgiveness, which may have tax implications

As always, your financial situation is unique to YOU! There is no one-size-fits-all solution to resolve debt. In fact, these are only two options that we’ve highlighted here.

In order to start your debt free journey, we encourage you to speak one-on-one with a Certified Financial Counselor who will thoroughly review your income and expenses, explain your credit report and score, analyze your debts, and provide you with expert action steps to resolve your debt. Parachute is here to help! Contact us to start your debt free journey! 716-712-2060 or www.parachutecreditcounseling.org

Dare to be Debt Free!

Budget, Credit, Debt, Parachute Services, Uncategorized

Parachute Celebrates National Consumer Protection Week

Looking to protect yourself from fraud, identity theft, and scams? Wondering about the best way to improve your credit, shop for a used car, or how to maximize your security online?

Parachute has information for you during National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) — March 5 – 11, 2023 — and any time of the year. NCPW is a time when government agencies, consumer protection groups, and organizations like ours work together to share information about consumer rights and help people learn to spot, report, and avoid scams.

Go to parachutecreditcounseling.org  for more information. Also, visit ftc.gov/ncpw to learn how to get free consumer education materials and read the latest from consumer protection experts.

As always you can reach out to us directly at 716-712-2060 or www.parachutecreditcounseling.org  for your help and education on all things credit, budget and personal debt!

Debt, Parachute Services, Relief Programs, Student Loans

While Long Awaited Student Loan Forgiveness is Blocked By Lawsuit, Parachute Credit Counseling Offers Encouragement and FREE Student Loan Counseling

While Long Awaited Student Loan Forgiveness is Blocked By Lawsuit, Parachute Credit Counseling Offers Encouragement and FREE Student Loan Counseling

The Supreme Court will hear arguments for and against this loan cancellation plan on February 28, 2023

The financial futures of nearly 43 million borrowers across the country are in limbo as the Supreme Court considers the legality of President Biden’s student debt forgiveness program.

President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan, announced in 2022–which provides up to $20,000 in relief to millions of borrowers–faces legal challenges. While many Americans were happy with the new loan forgiveness plan, there is concern that without the root causes of the student debt crisis addressed, there will be no fundamental changes made to a system in great need of repair. Most people on all sides of the issue agree that the present system is broken and will need legislation to fix it. Even without further and far reaching actions at this point, if allowed, student loan forgiveness will still make a big impact among borrowers who are low-income or didn’t finish college and are stuck paying off a loan.

Parachute Credit Counseling—formerly known as Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Buffalo (CCCS)—announced that it is now offering free Student Loan Counseling throughout the eight counties of Western New York along with expert strategies for attaining financial stability. Although payments on federal student loans have been suspended since March 2020, with interest-free relief, they will resume later this year so it is time for all to plan. Despite the current uncertainty, other relief options and changes to existing programs will be available to help borrowers reduce or eliminate their debt. Now is the time for borrowers to seek free and unbiased counseling to understand their options.

Parachute has operated the only Student Loan Counseling Program in Western New York for the past ten years. Right now, the national total student loan debt, including federal and private loans, sits at $1.75 trillion.

About 1 in 6 adults in America holds federal student loan debt. A typical undergraduate finishes school with nearly $25,000 of debt and a monthly payment of $460, which takes an average of 20 years to pay back while accruing $26,000 just in interest. Tuition fees have nearly tripled since 1980, outpacing inflation and wage growth. Student loan repayment is a critical issue that needs much direction.

The situation at this time is: millions of borrowers have already been approved for loan forgiveness, but the government is powerless to act because two federal courts issued nationwide injunctions prohibiting any debt relief under the plan. Most legal analysts expect the Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority to side against the administration, preventing the government from forgiving a cent of student loan debt. There is a real chance, however, that a majority may instead find that the plaintiffs—a group of red states and two disgruntled borrowers—lack standing to sue, which would allow the program to move forward. SHIRIN ALI, FEB 26, 2023—SLATE

While we wait for an answer…Parachute encourages residents to join our FREE Student Loan Counseling Program, staffed by experienced, certified financial counselors.  Call 716-712-2060 or visit https://parachutecreditcounseling.org/  for more information on our program and other financial services we provide.

Parachute Services, Student Loans

Parachute Credit Counseling Receives Major Grant From the Community Service Society to Join the EDCAP Network – Will Offer FREE Student Loan Counseling

Parachute Credit Counseling Receives Major Grant From the Community Service Society to Join the EDCAP Network 

Will Offer FREE Student Loan Counseling

At a Time When Long Awaited Student Loan Forgiveness is Blocked By a Lawsuit

Parachute Credit Counseling—formerly known as Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Buffalo (CCCS)—is now offering free Student Loan Counseling throughout the eight counties of Western New York. Right now, the national total student loan debt (including federal and private loans) sits at $1.75 trillion.

Parachute has operated the only Student Loan Counseling Program in Western New York for the past ten years. Student loan repayment has long been an obstacle, particularly for younger people. Forty-five percent of New York’s 18–35-year-olds carry student loan debt with an average balance of $28,950 and monthly payment of $460. It takes 20 years, on average, to pay off loans accruing $26,000 just in interest.

In welcome news, the Community Service Society of New York (CSS) awarded $100,000 to Parachute to join its Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP) Network. EDCAP helps New Yorkers with student debt to navigate the student loan repayment system and regain financial health. The New York State Department of Financial Services will oversee this grant which comes at “a critical time as borrowers navigate the complex student loan repayment system, try to benefit from the latest relief available, and prepare for payment resumption,” said Carolina Rodriguez, EDCAP’s program director.

President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan, which provides up to $20,000 in relief to millions of borrowers, faces legal challenges. The Supreme Court will hear arguments for and against this loan cancellation plan on Feb. 28, 2023. Although payments on federal student loans have been suspended since March 2020, with interest-free relief, they will resume later this year. Despite this uncertainty, other relief options and changes to existing programs will be available to help borrowers reduce or eliminate their debt. Now is the time for borrowers to seek free and unbiased counseling to understand their options.

Parachute is here to help! Our FREE Student Loan Counseling Program is staffed by experienced and certified financial counselors who are ready to assist residents of Western New York with their student loan issues.  Our new partnership with EDCAP, will allow us to serve even more people. Don’t struggle with student loans alone, take control of your finances and reach out to us for help. Call 716-712-2060 or visit our website www.parachutecreditcounseling.org for more information on our program and financial services.

Parachute Services, Taxes

FREE Tax Prep For Niagara County Residents Beginning January 31st; Locations in Lockport and Niagara Falls

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Buffalo Changes Name to Parachute Credit Counseling, Will Continue to Serve as Guide to Financial Stability and Freedom from Debt

Parachute Credit Counseling—formerly known as Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Buffalo (CCCS)–announced today that they will launch the 9th year of their Niagara County Free Tax Preparation Program on January 31, 2023.

Parachute will use a “Drop Off” process with sites in Niagara Falls atPinnacle Community Services, 1522 Main St. and in Lockport at the Lockport Library, 23 East Avenue.

Individuals must contact Parachute’s main office at 716-712-2060 to schedule a time to drop off their documents.  Certified, trained Parachute tax volunteers then prepare the tax returns remotely. Tax filers will be given a time to go back to the Drop Off site to review their return and provide their signature to e-file the return. They will receive a copy of the completed return as well. Those interested are encouraged to call now—716-712-2060–to set up their drop off appointment as appointments book up very quickly.

Parachute also provides additional free services to the community. Certified Financial Counselors work with people of all economic levels to improve their financial stability. The areas of greatest need include debt repayment assistance, credit repair/repayment, credit report review, student loan assistance, budgeting techniques, small business development and housing/homeownership/foreclosure mitigation. Parachute also offers frequent Free Virtual Workshops on relevant, timely topics.

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Buffalo (CCCS) rebranded to Parachute in December 2022, when they determined they needed a name that better reflected its power and potential.

“We wanted to change our name and logo to reflect our mission of making our clients feel empowered and not embarrassed about their debt,” said Parachute President & CEO Noelle Carter. “It takes courage to make that leap and we are here to be a parachute – a guide – on the journey to financial stability and becoming debt free.” 

Parachute provides the much needed lifeline for many, helping them to smoothly land on the other side of debt.

For more information on Parachute’s service offerings, from one on one counseling sessions to the path to a lifetime free from debt, contact Parachute at 716-712-2060 or visit Home – Parachute (parachutecreditcounseling.org).