CCCS of Buffalo - Dare to be Debt Free

What is Tuition Insurance? ·         Insurance that can cover and provide reimbursement of financial losses for students who are forced to leave school for unexpected medical reasons, such as serious injury or illness, chronic illness, and mental health conditions. ·         Most insurance plans can refund expenses such as tuition, housing, academic fees, and deposits ·         Estimated cost is $200 in premium for every $10,000 worth of coverage ·         Offered by select insurance providers, and even some schools offer it themselves *Pandemics are typically excluded from the policies, but this year companies may be making exceptions – Likely “You have to become ill, you have to have a positive diagnosis, and your doctor should recommend you leave school” – Quoted by John Fees, co-founder of GradGuard, a tuition insurance provider. W...

The financial impact of the pandemic continues to cause suffering throughout the nation. This time there is a different reason. Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) is now fearing people may suffer from impacts to credit scores due to credit reporting errors—through no fault of their own. At the beginning of the pandemic, lenders and credit reporting systems were inundated with requests for extensions, forbearances etc. The uniqueness of the situation along with its urgency, high emotions and lack of established guidelines may result in inaccuracies recorded on many credit reports. The current situation is that thousands in our region may have substantial errors on their credit reports—and the onus is on consumers to make sure that their credit reports are accurate.   When credit reports show negative information, even if it is a mistake, the consequences can be very detrimental and long lasting. Having negative entries on your credit report can easily m...

Consumer Credit Counseling Service Announces Free Virtual Workshops : “Dollars and Sense”—Budgeting & Debt Control Thursday June 4th at 1:00 pm “Credit Counts”—Managing & Repairing Credit Thursday June 11th at 1:00 pm Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) continues to see people of all financial levels suffer as a result of the pandemic and encourages people to come to us, as soon as possible so we can help them access options for financial relief and provide some much needed encouragement during these times. CCCS will help Western New York residents through free financial checkups by phone and through workshops to be held during June. CCCS has been providing free financial checkups since March and offering Virtual Workshops since April. The “Dollars and Sense”—Budgeting & Debt Control Workshop will be held on Thursday June 4th at 1:00 pm Topics include:   Setting goals Budgeting techniques Creative ways to s...

Veteran Financial Health During the Pandemic-Special Workshop Just for Veterans Thursday May 14 th at 12:00 pm on Zoom Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) and the Veterans One-stop Center of WNY (VOC) urge local veterans to attend a free virtual workshop designed to address their specific financial needs on May 14th. Bank of America is sponsoring the workshop to promote economic mobility among vulnerable populations and has a long-standing commitment to veterans. Veterans and active service members frequently experience financial challenges that are unique to their status, making financial uncertainty an unfortunate part of life for them and their families. The pandemic has intensified the challenges veterans and current military members face, plunging financially insecure veterans into a more intense arena of uncertainty. CCCS and the VOC are providing the Workshop to answer questions and offer guidance, in addition to their ongoing financial counseling for veteran...

Consumer Credit Counseling Service Announces Free Virtual Workshops : P rotect your Financial Health During the Pandemic Wednesday May 6 th 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 14 th 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 W...

Consumer Credit Counseling Service Offers Free “Financial Checkups” Call 716-712-2060 or visit www.consumercreditbuffalo.org The COVID 19 pandemic is impacting people of all financial levels with its most searing effects unleashed on lower and middle income Americans. Hourly wage earners and wide sections of the hospitality industry are no longer receiving income. With the ubiquity of high debt and low savings among the middle class, it is only a matter of time until they too are in a precarious financial situation. According to the Federal Reserve Board, 40% of Americans are unable to cover a $400 unexpected expense. And at this point, it is uncertain if all impacted workers can count on economic stimulus packages, causing stress and anxiety for many. Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) announced today that it will offer free financial checkups by phone and encourages all those concerned with their financial issues to call 712-2060 or visit www.consumer...

Consumer Credit Counseling Service Applauds NYS Student Loan Borrower  Bill of Rights Student Loan Debt Continues to Cause Problems; Only Local Program Available Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) announced a new initiative today, sponsored by the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS), the first ever Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights which outlines protections for New York student loan borrowers. Last month, NYS DFS officials embarked on a statewide tour to advise student borrowers of their rights and hear directly from parents and students about their experiences with paying their loans. This is part of DFS’s “Step Up for Students” program where they hold town hall style events to bring together DFS representatives, including the Department’s newly announced Student Loan Advocate, with student borrowers, their families, college financial aid officers, legislators and the general public to hear and address concerns about the growing issue of st...