Category: Parachute Services

Debt, Parachute Services, Student Loans

CCCS Launches New, FREE Student Loan Counseling Program; Joins the Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP) Network

CCCS Launches New, FREE Student Loan Counseling Program; Joins the Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP) Network

Will Help Local Borrowers Access Loan Forgiveness & Navigate Complex Student Loan Repayment System

Shortly after the federal government kicked off their student loan forgiveness application process, Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) announced their newly redesigned, cost free Student Loan Counseling Program to assist local borrowers. While the government’s process is meant to be simple, the complexities of student loans often cause uncertainty, anxiety and frustration.

For the past ten years, CCCS has operated the only Student Loan Counseling Program in Western New York, helping thousands of besieged borrowers tackle what many felt was insurmountable debt. Student loan repayment has long been an obstacle for a significant percentage of the population, particularly for younger people. 45% of 18-35 year olds  currently have student loan debt in New York State. Right now, 2.4 million New York State residents have outstanding loans; a total cumulative debt of over $90 billion.  

In October, the Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP) invited CCCS to join their statewide network after the New York State Legislature increased their funding specifically designated for New York State residents with higher education debt. EDCAP–a program of the Community Service Society of New York (CSS)—and CSS work to make New York State more livable for people facing economic insecurity. CSS created EDCAP as an initiative to help New Yorkers struggling with student debt to navigate the student loan repayment system and regain financial health. In addition to CCCS, EDCAP selected nine other partner organizations throughout the state to serve all of its geographic areas. Seven of these organizations focus on legal services and the other organization is a United Way, indicating that CCCS offers unique and highly regarded services.

CCCS’ collaboration with EDCAP provides CCCS with much needed funding to deliver all student loan counseling services free of charge to WNY residents. EDCAP, in turn, gets a greater and more direct geographic reach into a targeted area. The NYS Department of Financial Services will oversee this project 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.” EDCAP

A slew of information—including announcements of major, sweeping, long awaited changes to student loan forgiveness that require specific, precise action steps–has steadily flowed recently. We designed our Student Loan Counseling Program to guide borrowers through the complicated process that is frequently intricate and quite possibly thorny. Experienced, Certified Financial Counselors understand that many of those coming for help feel overwhelmed, are confused or just plain over it…and are ready to help all. Our new partnership with EDCAP will allow us to serve even more people. We urge everyone to take positive action that will promote financial stability…Contact us at 716-712-2060 or www.parachutecreditcounseling.org for help with student loans or for any type of financial issues. 

Parachute Services

CCCS Seeks Volunteers: Improve the Economic Stability of Niagara County Residents

CCCS Seeks Volunteers: Improve the Economic Stability of Niagara County Residents;

Seeking Tax Preparation Volunteers

Volunteers have 27% higher odds of finding a job after being out of work than non-volunteers

Make A Difference in Your Community—while adding skills to your resume

Between the pandemic and our country’s recent social justice reckoning, the financial insecurity faced by millions of Americans is finally being seen as a systemic issue in need of reform.

An emerging movement for economic justice calls for intervention from the government, employers and nonprofit organizations. Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Niagara (CCCS) and the Niagara County Financial Literacy & Empowerment Coalition are leading the efforts in Niagara County.

And while the work is complex and will take much time, CCCS and the Coalition are beginning part of this ongoing project by announcing that they will once again hold their Free Tax Prep/Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program in Niagara County with sites in Lockport and Niagara Falls.

Volunteers will help low income individuals and families file their taxes—and access eligible tax credits–saving them hundreds of dollars in unnecessary tax preparation fees (Average cost of tax prep=$300 and tax credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit, ranges from $506-$6,269) and avoiding refund anticipation loans and inflated filing fees (typically about $200 per filer—this makes the cost of filing taxes $500 or more!).

CCCS and the Coalition announced today that they are seeking volunteers for a few hours per week February through April 15th2021 to help with its Free Tax Prep Program. Those interested in becoming volunteers are urged to register with CCCS by contacting Robby Dunn at robert.dunn@cccsbuffalo.org by November 30th.  There is no prior experience required. Volunteers will receive free training and be part of a program that helps thousands of households every year. We encourage all those who want to help the individuals and families who are hurting the most to join our team.

Parachute Services

Consumer Credit Counseling Service Announces Free Virtual Workshops

Consumer Credit Counseling Service Announces Free Virtual Workshops:
Protect your Financial Health During the Pandemic
Wednesday May 6th at 1:00 pm
Protect your Financial Health During the Pandemic–Special Workshop Just for Veterans
In Partnership with the Veterans One Stop Center of WNY/Sponsored By Bank of America
Thursday May 14th at 12:00 pm
Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) has been experiencing the impact of the pandemic since its ugly beginning. Over the past six weeks, we have worked with hundreds of area residents from various financial situations who have been deeply affected by current events. The sudden and profound shock to an individual and to a family’s well being is overwhelming.
CCCS urges Western New York residents to come to us for help: through free financial checkups by phone and through workshops to be held during May.
CCCS has been providing free financial checkups since March and is now offering Virtual Workshops.
The Protect Your Financial Health During the Pandemic Workshop will be held on Wednesday, May 6th at 1:00 pm. It will include an overview of relief options and benefits with information about:
  • Economic Stimulus Checks
  • Unemployment Benefits
  • Community Resources & Benefits
  • Mortgage Relief Options
  • Student Loan Payment Options
  • Car Loans & Credit Card Payment Options
  • Protecting Your Credit Score
  • Emergency Budgeting Tips
To register for the workshop, you must email cccs@cccsbuffalo.org.
This workshop will also be held on May 14th BUT is limited to veterans only.
For those interested in a free financial checkup by phone, call 712-2060. A Certified Financial Counselor will help address your financial concerns during these extraordinary times and can assist in creating an emergency budget.  CCCS urges you to take some positive action that will help quell anxiety and potentially alleviate fears.
About CCCS
CCCS is a non-profit, full-service credit counseling agency, providing confidential financial guidance, financial education, counseling and credit repayment assistance to consumers since 1965.  CCCS of Buffalo helps consumers trim expenses, develop a spending plan and repay debts.  Counseling is available at our Main Office in West Seneca, in one of our Satellite Offices, by telephone and via Internet.
Parachute Services

Know the Difference!

And we keep growing! Now able to help residents in Louisiana, Washington and Hawaii 🌴 become debt free! Call 1-800-926-9685 or visit us at consumercreditbuffalo.org.

Know the difference between Debt Management and Debt Settlement, and take advantage of the financial education and non-biased advice of a non-profit such as CCCS/Money Mentors. Our appointments are not consultations or a sales pitch, it is a true analysis of your unique financial situation and an honest review of what the pros and cons are to your various options to become debt free.
🤩Louisiana
🤩Washington
🤩Hawaii
✔️New York
✔️D.C.
✔️Oklahoma
✔️West Virginia
✔️North Carolina
✔️Arkansas
✔️Wyoming
✔️Alaska

Parachute Services

We’re On a Mission!

By Noelle Carter
 

CCCS of Buffalo is on a Mission. We are determined to ensure everyone has access to  financial counseling, from an expert who is looking out for their clients’ best interest, and not the bottom line of a large company’s profits. Unfortunately, for-profit companies have large advertising budgets and prey on consumers who are desperate, and in need of a cure-all for their financial troubles. The messages they convey to draw consumers in inevitably leads to a case of overpromising, and under delivering.
 

To help spread the word of CCCS of Buffalo’s local presence as a leading financial counseling agency, who has been providing financial counseling for over 50 years, we enlisted help from one of our clients, who best to tell the story of the help we are able to deliver than a member of the WNY community?! Christina struggled with crippling credit card debt until she got help from CCCS of Buffalo. She made that brave phone call, and now, just over 4 years later, Christina is credit card debt free.

 
Keep a lookout, and an ear out, for Christina on the radio and in online ads. Help us join the battle against companies who are looking to take advantage of consumers who are in a vulnerable financial position, and let them know there is a NONPROFIT agency right in their backyard, ready and willing to help. Services cover anything from credit card debt, housing issues, credit issues, student loan repayment difficulties, homebuyer education and beyond.
If you, or someone you know is looking for financial advice, pick up the phone and call CCCS of Buffalo for honest advice, with no judgment attached.……716-712-2060 or 1-800-926-9685