Uncategorized Archives

We’re Hiring a Financial Wellness Specialist!

We are excited to announce an opportunity to join the Parachute Team as a Financial Wellness Specialist. Please spread the word!

A Financial Wellness Specialist’s primary responsibility is to conduct counseling sessions with individuals and families regarding budgeting, debt and credit issues. A Specialist will provide financial education and guidance while recommending various educational and community programs in order to improve clients’ financial situations. Financial Wellness Specialist’s empower clients to take control of their financial lives, in an empathetic and compassionate manner, while always accounting for what will be in the client’s best interest based on the client’s unique situation. Financial Wellness Specialist’s also provide Counseling Intake support at the initial contact point for clients and all general incoming calls, requiring patience and positive energy. Financial Wellness Specialists answer incoming calls, direct calls, greet clients and guests in-person at reception window.

Qualifications:

Strong teamwork skills essential
Knowledge of computer applications, with proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Ability to multi-task
Must be able to work efficiently under strict deadlines/timeframes
Must attain educational certifications, as required
Position requires attention to detail and basic math/accounting skills
Prior case management and/or counseling experience helpful, or experience within Agency
Associate and/or Bachelor Degree preferred

About Parachute

Parachute is a non-profit, full-service credit counseling agency, providing confidential financial guidance, financial education, counseling and credit repayment assistance to consumers since 1965. Parachute helps consumers trim expenses, develop a spending plan and repay debts. Counseling is available at our Main Office in West Seneca, by telephone and online.

Hourly rate range for this position is $17.00 – $20.00. Individual compensation is based on various factors unique to each candidate, including skill set, experience, qualifications and other job-related reasons. We offer growth opportunities for professional development along with hourly pay increases. Other benefits include:

401(k) Plan
Paid Holidays
Paid Personal Time Off (PTO)
Life and Disability Insurance
Health Insurance
Remote work availability one day a week with supplemental throughout the year

Please send resumes to: robert.dunn@parachutecredit.org

Parachute Services, Uncategorized

We’re Hiring a Client Care Specialist!

We are excited to announce an opportunity to join the Parachute Team as a Client Care Specialist. Please spread the word!

Job Description

Job Title: Client Care Specialist (full-time)

Supervisor: Executive Vice President

Summary

Client Care Specialists are the contact for most clients and creditors on a Debt Management Plan (DMP) with Parachute. A Specialist’s responsibilities include contact with clients and creditors, answering questions, addressing concerns, responding to proposals or other issues, assisting in the maintenance of other responsibilities and working proactively by collaborating with co-workers to better achieve successful completions of future active clients.

Qualifications

Strong teamwork skills essential
Knowledge of computer applications, with proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Ability to multi-task
Must be able to work efficiently under strict deadlines
Must attain educational certifications, as required
Position requires attention to detail and basic math/accounting skills
Prior case management and/or counseling experience helpful, or experience within Agency
Associate and/or bachelor’s degree preferred

About Parachute

Hourly rate range for this position is $16.00 – $19.00. Individual compensation is based on various factors unique to each candidate, including skill set, experience, qualifications and other job-related reasons. Other benefits include:

401(k) Plan
Paid Holidays
Paid Personal Time Off (PTO)
Life and Disability Insurance
Health Insurance
Remote work availability one day a week with supplemental throughout the year

Please send résumés to: scott.laughlin@parachutecredit.org

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 Plans	Debt settlement companies
Usually non-profit organizations	Usually 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 payments	Offer 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 plan	Often 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 payment	Typically 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 payments	Usually 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 implications	Debt 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!

Credit, Debt, Parachute Services, Uncategorized

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Buffalo is Now Parachute Credit Counseling

Parachute Credit Counseling provides services to help clients “dare to be debt free”

BUFFALO, NY (December 7, 2022) – Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Buffalo announced it has changed its name to Parachute Credit Counseling to illustrate the agency’s commitment toward being a guide on their client’s journey to “dare to be debt free.” Clients will still get the same quality service they have relied on for more than 50 years, but now with a new look.

“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 Credit Counseling mission is to be the most trusted guide on an individual’s journey to becoming debt free. With the right tools and a strategically mapped out plan, clients can make a smooth soft landing on the other side of debt.

Parachute Credit Counseling is a nonprofit agency offering financial counseling, debt management, student loan counseling, financial coaching, credit report review, reverse mortgage counseling, pre-purchase homebuyer counseling, delinquency housing counseling, and small business credit counseling. The agency offers services in 18 states and the District of Columbia.

For more information about upcoming workshops and the services Parachute offers, visit the website at (insert new website here) or call 716-712-2060 to set up an appointment at any of the locations.

ABOUT PARACHUTE Parachute Credit Counseling, formerly, Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Buffalo, Inc. is a nonprofit agency established in 1965 to provide the best strategies to help people master their credit. Parachute is a member of the of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling and an A+ member of the Better Business Bureau. It is also a certified HUD counseling agency, licensed budget planner through the NYS Department of Financial Services, Executive Office of the U.S. Trustees approved for certified bankruptcy counseling sessions and accredited by Council on Accreditation of Services for Families & Children (COA), Inc. Parachute is based in Buffalo, NY, but offers services in Arkansas, Alaska, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, West Virginia, Washington, & Wyoming.