Disclosures and Fee Waiver Policy
MANDATORY DEBTOR DISCLOSURES
Stand Sure Counseling Services (SSCS) provides credit briefing services as its primary service. SSCS has been approved by the Executive Office for the United States Trustees (EOUST) to issue certificates in compliance with the Bankruptcy code for Pre-Bankruptcy Credit Counseling course. “The United States Trustee has reviewed only the agency’s credit counseling services and its services as a provider of a personal financial management instructional course. The United States Trustee has neither reviewed nor approved any other services the agency provides to clients.” Approval does not endorse or assure the quality of an agency’s services. No other services SSCS may provide have been approved by the Trustee’s office.
Please read this disclosure policy carefully before using the Stand Sure Counseling Services service. By using any such services, you are acknowledging that you have read and understand this policy and that you agree to be bound by its terms. If you do not agree to be bound by its terms, please exit out of this page without accessing our web site or any of our services.
Fees for services:
The fee for SSCS Financial management course is $15.00 for a joint or a single certificate. The Financial Management course is offered online or by phone for the same price.
Funding Sources:
Stand Sure Counseling Services (SSCS) is an Alabama non-profit organization that is funded by fees paid for counseling services and we do not receive funding from any other source.
Fee Waiver Policy:
Stand Sure Counseling Services (SSCS) shall waive any fees if the client can adequately demonstrate that their income is less than 150 percent of the poverty guidelines as established by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) or if the client is receiving pro bono legal representation for their bankruptcy filing. The standard shall be applied to the size of the client’s family for the 48 contiguous states, District of Columbia, Alaska, and Hawaii as shown below.
For more information, please call toll free 877-240-1398
150% of the HHS Poverty Guidelines for 2024*
Annual Basis
| 1 | $22,590 | $28,215 | $25,965 |
| 2 | $30,660 | $38,310 | $35,250 |
| 3 | $38,730 | $48,405 | $44,535 |
| 4 | $46,800 | $58,500 | $53,820 |
| 5 | $54,870 | $68,595 | $63,105 |
| 6 | $62,940 | $78,690 | $72,390 |
| 7 | $71,010 | $88,785 | $81,675 |
| 8 | $79,080 | $98,880 | $90,960 |
| For each additional person add | $8,070 | $10,095 | $9,285 |
* As required by section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 (Pub. L. 97-35 - reauthorized by Pub. L. 105-285, Section 201 (1988)).
Referral fees:
SSCS is prohibited from paying or receiving referral fees for the referral of Debtors.
Qualifications of debtor education Instructors:
All instructors, including respondents to student questions regarding course material have received debt briefing training and/or are under the supervision of a manager certified by the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE). Certification has been verified by SSCS and copies of their certifications have been provided to the US Department of Justice Executive Office for United States Trustees and the Bankruptcy Administrators in North Carolina and Alabama.
Non-Discrimination Policy:
SSCS does not discriminate, withhold or condition service on the basis of gender, age, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, physical ability, or any other protected class. We will also provide free bilingual counseling services or a professional interpreter to any limited English proficient Debtor.
Length of Course
The Financial Management course should take 2 to 3 hours to complete satisfying the post-filing requirement for individuals filing bankruptcy.
Financial Management certificates:
The Executive Office for United States Trustees (“EOUST”) has established a web-based system for the issuance of Certificates of Course Completion. SSCS will comply with all EOUST standards and protocols for the issuance of Certificates. As such, debtors may receive the certificates via electronic mail, via fax, or via First Class Mail. SSCS is obligated to promptly issue debtor’s a certificate of completion upon successful completion of the financial management course. SSCS will issue certificates to debtor only if debtor successfully completes the financial management course. SSCS shall not be responsible for certificates where the Debtor fails to provide an accurate mailing address, email address or fax number. Debtors may also request that certificates be sent directly to their attorney via email or facsimile.
Debt Management Plans:
SSCS does NOT provide “Debt Management Plans” or accept any payments for debt. Debtor has the opportunity to negotiate an alternative payment schedule with regard to each unsecured consumer debt under terms as set forth in 11 U.S.C. 502(k), but SSCS does not assist in those negotiations. SSCS may refer the debtor to another approved Debt Management company and the debtor may incur additional fees in connection with such referral.
Disclosure of Information:
We do not disclose (sell, rent or provide) the personally identifiable information you provide to us online to any third party for any marketing purposes. We do, however, disclose information you provide to the Executive Office for United States Trustees for use in issuing a Certificate of Completion, and your information may be matched against existing publicly accessible databases for identity verification purposes. Client’s information may also be used in connection with the United States Trustee’s oversight of the agency, or during the investigation of complaints, during on-site visits, or during quality of service reviews. Filing for bankruptcy is reported as a matter of public record and may impact your credit reports and scores as well as any other alternatives that we discuss with you. Please check with your legal counsel regarding this matter.