Online Budget and Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Disclosures

 

 

Fees

The fee for 1 $ Wiser’s Budget and Credit Counseling is $25.00 ($4.95 additional for joint) for the Internet Delivery Method and $25.00 ($10 additional for joint) for the Telephone Delivery Method. The fee for 1 $ Wiser’s Debtor Education is $25.00 ($4.95 additional for joint) for the Internet Delivery Method and $25.00 ($10 additional for joint) for the Telephone Delivery Method. Credit and Debit card payments made via alternative payment delivery methods will incur a convenience fee of $5.75. The fee for certificate fax and mail services is $11.95 each, immediate certificate delivery is $7.95, service charge is $5.25, multiple certificate copies and revisions upgrade is $25, express DE certificate filing with the BK Court is $16.95, weekend and after hours service upgrade is $8.95, course audio is $12.95, telephone registration services is $6.75, proof of certificate issuance to attorney by email is $7.95, proof that the certificate was filed with the BK Court is $11.95, BK Court case confirmation and/or correction is $14.95, and extended access to course records beyond the mandated two-year time period is $12.95.

Ability to Pay

1 $ Wiser will waive or reduce the Budget and Credit Counseling and Debtor Education fees in whole or in part whenever a client either demonstrates a lack of ability to pay or a client has special circumstances.

A client presumptively lacks the ability to pay the fee if the client's current household income is less than 150% 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.

The presumption shall be rebutted, and 1 $ Wiser may charge the client a reduced fee, if 1 $ Wiser determines, based on income information the client submits, that the client is able to pay the fee in a reduced amount.

If client is requesting a fee waiver or reduced fees, it must be done in writing before registering. 1 $ Wiser collects fees at the time of registration.

The criteria upon which 1 $ Wiser relies in determining a client's eligibility for a fee waiver or reduced fees is based on information submitted by the client. The minimum information required to apply for a fee waiver or fee reduction is:

  1. Client’s name(s), telephone number, and email address
  2. Names, ages, and relationship to client of all members of the family or household over the age of 18
  3. Names, ages, and relationship to client of all members of the household under 18 years old.
  4. Last 2 pay stubs for all adults (18+) in the family or household or proof of public assistance
  5. Last 2 bank statements for each adult (18+) in the family or household
  6. Prior year’s Federal Tax Return if item #4 is not available.

If client’s current household income is more than 150% of the poverty guidelines, they may request a fee reduction.

Send your written request and ALL supporting documents via E-Mail to info@1dollarwiser.com.

Bilingual Counseling Services/Bilingual Instruction

1 $ Wiser offers credit counseling services and debtor education in English and Spanish. 1 $ Wiser will make every effort to refer clients requiring other bilingual counseling services or debtor education to an Agency or Provider on the United State Trustee's list of approved agencies or providers who provides counseling services or debtor education in the language requested by the client.

Agency's Funding Sources

1 $ Wiser is funded by fees received for individual counseling and educational services provided. 1 $ Wiser does not offer Debt Management Plans (DMPs) and does not receive any funds from creditors. If, as part of the credit counseling, a client decides to participate in a Debt Management Plan from another Agency, the client may incur additional fees levied by the other Agency.

Counselor and Instructor Qualifications

All 1 $ Wiser counselors and Instructors have received in-depth training in 1 $ Wiser’s program. They receive continuing education to keep current on changes in consumer financial issues in areas such as healthcare, credit cards, mortgages, etc. They are skilled at helping you understand the materials presented and help you apply the new skills in your life.

Impact on Credit Reports

No information gathered or the results of the credit counseling program will be disclosed to any Credit Reporting Agency. The credit counseling program offered by 1 $ Wiser Consumer Education has no impact on clients' credit reports. HOWEVER, the action(s) you take as a result of the counseling provided may have a negative impact on your credit report. Filing for bankruptcy, entering into a Debt Management Program (DMP), and various other alternatives to bankruptcy may have a negative impact on debtor credit reports. Creditors may report the participation in a Debt Management Program (DMP) to credit reporting agencies which might negatively impact a client’s credit score. Some creditors view the participation in a DMP negatively and may not extend additional lines of credit. While bankruptcy may help erase or pay off past debts; however, those accounts will not disappear from a client’s credit reports. After declaring bankruptcy, all bankruptcy-related accounts, and bankruptcy public records remain on client credit reports and affect credit scores for 7 to 10 years, although their negative impact will lessen over time. A credit report reflecting bankruptcy and a low credit score may restrict certain types of employment and it might also become more difficult to obtain financing for a car, home, or other large purchase.

Consideration for Referrals

Neither 1 $ Wiser nor any of its employees, agents, or partners, receives fees or other consideration for the referral of an individual to 1 $ Wiser’s courses. Neither 1 $ Wiser nor any of its employees, agents, or partners, pays any fees or other consideration for the referral of an individual to 1 $ Wiser’s courses. 1 $ Wiser does not have any fair share agreements.

Certificate of Completion

1 $ Wiser has an obligation to provide a certificate to the client promptly upon completion of counseling services or debtor education.

Opportunity to Negotiate

Under terms set for in 11 U.S.C. 502(k), clients may have the opportunity to negotiate an alternative payment schedule with regard to each of their unsecured consumer debts. 1 $ Wiser does NOT provide that service. If requested, we will make every effort to refer clients requesting debt negotiation services to an agency on the United State Trustee's list of approved agencies who does provide this service. Please note that additional fees in connection with such a referral may be charged by the other agency.

Disclosure of Client Information

1 $ Wiser might disclose information to the United States Trustee in connection with the United States Trustee's oversight of 1 $ Wiser or during investigation of complaints, during on-site visits, or during quality of service reviews.

Annual Review

The United States Trustee's Office has reviewed only 1 $ Wiser’s credit counseling services and its personal financial management instructional course pursuant to 11 U.S.C.111(d). The United States Trustee has neither reviewed nor approved any other services 1 $ Wiser provides to clients.

Receipt of Certificate

A client will receive a certificate only if the client completes the counseling program or the debtor education instructional course.