What is Consumer Credit and Budget Counseling, Inc. (cc-bc.com)?

Updated

Consumer Credit and Budget Counseling, Inc. (cc-bc.com) is a nonprofit, nationwide credit counseling agency that also does business as the National Foundation for Debt Management (NFDM). It describes itself as a Premier Multi-State HUD housing counseling agency with offices in New Jersey and Florida. If you are dealing with credit card debt, preparing to buy a home, facing foreclosure, or considering a reverse mortgage, this is the kind of organization you would contact for counseling and education rather than a lender or a debt settlement company.

What the organization is

The site presents CCBC/NFDM as two things at once:

  • A credit and budget counseling agency — it helps consumers who are struggling with credit card debt develop a customized debt management plan.
  • A HUD-approved housing counseling agency — it holds "Premier Multi-State HUD housing counseling agency" status and offers housing counseling and education programs, including online options.

It operates nationally, with physical offices in New Jersey and Florida, and lists a phone number, (844) 458-1857, for getting started.

Services offered

Credit and budget counseling

The core consumer credit service targets people whose credit card bills keep growing along with their balances. If more of each paycheck goes to card payments without reducing the debt, the agency's stated approach is to build a customized debt management plan to eliminate the debt.

Online housing counseling and education

Several programs are delivered online for people who can't attend in-person classes or one-on-one counseling:

Program What it covers
Online Homebuyer Certification Class Homeownership counseling and education certification for prospective buyers
NJ Foreclosure Mediation Help navigating the New Jersey Foreclosure Mediation Program; the site states this service is FREE
Reverse Mortgage Counseling Counseling appointments for homeowners weighing a reverse mortgage decision
Online Landlord Education Certification A course meeting a lender's landlord education certification requirement
Credit Preparation for Homebuying Credit score work with a mortgage broker, using credit tools and "What If" generators to reach a qualifying score
Student Debt Solutions® A platform aimed at helping first-time homebuyers whose student loans block mortgage qualification

Who it is for

Based on the services described, CCBC/NFDM is aimed at consumers who:

  • Carry credit card debt they cannot get ahead of
  • Are preparing to buy a first home and need certification or credit preparation
  • Are behind on a mortgage and want to explore foreclosure mediation
  • Are considering a reverse mortgage and want counseling before deciding
  • Need landlord education certification to satisfy a lender
  • Have student loan balances affecting their ability to qualify for a mortgage

What to know before contacting them

  • The foreclosure mediation service is described as free on the site. No pricing is stated for the other programs, so do not assume they are free — ask about fees when you call or book.
  • HUD approval matters for housing counseling. The agency's stated HUD status is relevant if you need counseling that satisfies a lender, a mediation program, or a certification requirement.
  • Reverse mortgage counseling is a decision-support service, not a product recommendation. The site frames it as helping you gather information to make an informed decision.
  • The credit preparation service involves working with your mortgage broker, so it fits a homebuying timeline rather than general credit repair.

To start, call (844) 458-1857 or use the online booking links for the specific program you need.