Financial Counseling and Debt Management
General Information
Debt Management assistance is intended to help our clients become good financial managers of their income. To become good financial managers, they must first be able to meet their financial obligations. Sacrifice and austerity on the part of the client is essential. Debt Management assistance does not aim to return an insolvent person to an absolutely normal way of life. Debt Management does assist by helping to create the minimum essential financial condition to allow the person to live frugally while paying off obligations in a responsible manner. Debt Management assistance generates sufficient cash flow to permit a livable budget, repayment of debt, and the provision for modest savings to meet future needs.
Total debt consolidation loans are not authorized.
Authorized Assistance
Examples of assistance that may be provided as Financial Counseling and Debt Management include:
Professional, confidential, financial planning and counseling. Available to all CGMA clients. Applying for a loan or grant from CGMA is not required to receive counseling.
Assistance when faced with exceptional financial circumstances and unable to receive financial assistance from commercial institutions
Representatives may:
Personally provide counseling.
Direct the client to other sources within the Coast Guard for counseling, including the various financial management programs available through CG Work-Life. Direct the client to other government sources for counseling. Direct the client to a participating federal credit union for counseling.
Direct the client to a commercial counseling organization such as Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) or similar programs offered through other organizations.
Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS)
CGMA is willing to become a partner with the client by giving the minimum financial assistance needed to allow the client to enter a Debt Management Program with Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) or a similar program through another debt/credit management agency.
CCCS services are provided by Members of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC).
To find the CCCS office nearest you, click here Member Agency Locator or call: 1-800-388-2227 for 24-hour automated office listings.
Forms are available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer, you may download it free by clicking here Get Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Applications
Applications are available: Online
Need More Information?
More detailed information concerning Financial Counseling and Debt Management is contained in Section 3-C-6 of the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Manual.
Contact your local Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Representative for assistance or additional information.
“We Look After Our Own”