We help people make sense of their financial options with compassion, practical guidance, and respect for their faith. Our work has two main parts: free debt counseling and referrals to debt relief providers, and a separate Christian financial counseling service for broader money and stewardship goals.

When we refer you for a loan, debt management plan, settlement program, or legal help, that independent provider delivers the service. FaithWorks helps you understand the choices and take your next step.

Your needs come first in the conversation. We listen to what is happening, discuss the benefits and drawbacks of relevant options, and leave the decision with you. A useful next step might be a provider referral, a conversation with your creditors, a legal consultation, or a plan you work on yourself.

Our Christian values call us to serve with honesty and care. Financial hardship is a reason to offer support, never a reason to question someone’s worth or faith.

Different problems call for different kinds of help. Someone managing high interest while keeping up with payments may need a different approach from someone whose income no longer covers basic expenses.

We consider your budget, debt types, payment status, and priorities when discussing options. Our referral network does not include every provider or product available, and you are welcome to compare other resources before deciding.

Our debt counseling and referral guidance are free, with no obligation to enroll. A lender, credit counseling agency, debt settlement company, or legal provider may charge for its own service.

Christian financial counseling is a separate service with its own pricing. Some sessions may be sponsored through a church, ministry, or grant-supported initiative. Review the counseling page for current arrangements before booking.

We may receive compensation from providers when someone we refer uses an eligible service. Our referral does not add a separate charge to your provider’s price. These relationships help support our free debt guidance.

Our separate Christian financial counseling service is paid for by the person receiving counseling or, when arranged, a sponsoring organization. You can read more on our Funding & Ownership page.

FaithWorks has served individuals and families since 2012. Our founder, Josh Richner, brings more than 15 years of experience in consumer debt. Our Christian financial counseling service offers access to a Certified Christian Financial Counselor.

We use that experience to explain options in everyday language and recognize when a specialist is needed. The provider or attorney you work with brings the qualifications required for its own service. Learn more about FaithWorks.

No. Our debt guidance is open to people of any faith or no faith. Christian values shape how we serve, and you do not need to share our beliefs to be treated with care and respect. Our separate Christian financial counseling service is designed for people who want biblical stewardship included in their money conversations.

FaithWorks Financial is a privately owned, for-profit business with a Christian mission. We are not a government agency and are not affiliated with a government debt relief program. Some credit counseling agencies we refer people to are nonprofits; that is their organizational status, separate from ours.

Availability depends on your state, the service, and the provider’s requirements. A conversation with FaithWorks can help identify which options may be available to you. The provider confirms eligibility, terms, and acceptance before you enroll. A referral is not a guarantee of approval or a particular outcome.

Christian financial counseling brings practical money conversations together with biblical stewardship. You can work through priorities such as spending, saving, giving, and managing debt in a way that reflects your responsibilities and values.

The aim is to help you make thoughtful decisions and identify manageable next steps, with room to discuss both the numbers and the concerns behind them.

Free FaithWorks debt counseling focuses on understanding your debt situation and exploring possible solutions. Christian financial counseling is a separate, scheduled service for broader financial habits and stewardship goals.

A debt management plan is different again: it is administered by a credit counseling agency to repay eligible debts. Booking a Christian financial counseling session does not enroll you in a debt relief program.

No. You may want help building a workable budget, preparing for a change in income, setting family priorities, or making room for saving and giving. You can seek support before a problem becomes a crisis. Bring the money questions that matter to you; you do not need to have everything organized first.

Current session options and prices are available through our counseling page and booking process. Sessions may be paid for individually or covered through an arranged sponsorship. Ask about any available sponsored support if cost is a concern; availability is not guaranteed.

Review the price and what is included before scheduling. Our free debt guidance remains a separate starting point if your main question is how to address existing debt.

A simple list of income, regular expenses, debts, and your main questions is a helpful start. Think about what you would like to change and what already matters most to your household.

Counseling supports everyday financial decisions. Legal advice, tax advice, and investment recommendations require the appropriate professional. If one of those issues comes up, we can help you recognize the need for a separate conversation.

A debt consolidation loan provides new borrowed funds to pay off existing debts. You then repay the new loan according to its terms. It may simplify payments or lower borrowing costs, but it does not erase the amount you owe. FaithWorks is not a lender; lending decisions and loan terms come from the lender.

It may be worth exploring when the payment fits your budget and the full cost improves on your current debts. Compare the annual percentage rate (APR), fees, repayment period, and total amount repaid.

A lower monthly payment can result from stretching payments over more years, which may increase total interest. Consider how you will avoid building new balances on the accounts you pay off.

Possibly, but approval and pricing depend on the lender’s review of factors such as credit history, income, and existing obligations. Missed payments can limit the offers available or make borrowing more expensive. FaithWorks cannot promise approval or a particular rate. If the available terms do not help, you can explore other approaches.

It depends on the provider and the stage of the process. Some providers use a soft credit inquiry for an initial rate check; a formal application may involve a hard inquiry that can affect your score. Read the disclosure before submitting information and ask the lender when a hard inquiry would occur.

The phrase describes the faith-informed guidance someone may be seeking; it does not create a special loan category or guarantee favorable terms. Any offer still needs to be evaluated on its actual costs and requirements. A lender reached through FaithWorks is not necessarily a Christian organization. Your faith is never a substitute for reviewing a loan agreement.

A debt management plan (DMP) is a repayment arrangement administered by a credit counseling agency. You generally send one monthly payment to the agency, which distributes payments to participating creditors. A DMP is not a new loan.

The plan usually repays the full principal, with possible reductions in interest or certain fees. FaithWorks can make an introduction; the agency evaluates and administers the plan.

Credit cards are a common fit. Other unsecured accounts may be accepted depending on the agency and creditor. Mortgages and auto loans generally are not included.

Accounts already in collections may have fewer options, so ask the agency to review the specific creditor and account status. Credit counseling itself can still be useful even when a particular debt cannot go into a plan.

No. You can seek credit counseling while you are current on payments. An agency can review whether your budget can support a plan and whether participating creditors offer useful concessions.

If you are already behind, tell the counselor how far behind each account is and whether you have received collection or court notices. Those details affect what help may be appropriate.

Enrolled credit card accounts are typically closed, and a plan may restrict new credit use. Account closures and other changes can affect your credit score; the result depends on your overall credit history. Ask the agency which accounts must close, how payments will be reported, and whether any exceptions apply to your situation.

Many plans take about three to five years, but your proposed plan should show its own schedule. An initial counseling consultation may be free, while a DMP may have setup and monthly fees. Ask about any fee reductions or waivers.

Before enrolling, have the agency explain the total monthly payment, all fees, creditor participation, and what happens if you miss a payment or need to leave the plan.

Debt settlement means seeking an agreement with a creditor or collector to resolve a debt for less than the full balance. The creditor must agree to the terms.

FaithWorks helps you explore whether this approach deserves consideration and can refer you to an independent settlement provider. That provider manages its program and negotiations. We do not negotiate or settle your accounts ourselves.

It may be considered by someone struggling with unsecured debt who cannot maintain full repayment but can set aside money toward settlements. The type of debt, creditor, hardship, budget, and state all matter.

Compare it with credit counseling, direct creditor assistance, and a bankruptcy consultation where appropriate. If basic living costs already exceed your income, even a reduced program contribution may be unaffordable.

Settlement programs often involve missed creditor payments. That can damage credit, add interest and late fees, and lead to collection activity or lawsuits. Creditors do not have to negotiate, and a program does not prevent them from suing.

Money set aside for a future settlement is not the same as a payment to your creditor. Ask the provider how funds are handled and what support is included if a lawsuit occurs.

No one can guarantee a settlement amount or completion date. Ask the provider for a written estimate that includes its fees, account costs, projected settlements, funding schedule, and assumptions. Evaluate estimated total cost, not just a percentage reduction in debt.

Have the provider explain exactly when each fee is earned and charged, how an offer receives your approval, and how cancellation works. An estimate is not a creditor’s agreement.

Yes. Canceled debt may be taxable income, although exclusions or exceptions may apply, including in some cases involving insolvency or bankruptcy. Your circumstances determine the treatment.

Ask a qualified tax professional how a proposed settlement could affect you and what records to keep. FaithWorks and a settlement provider should not determine your tax treatment. Read the IRS explanation of canceled debt.

We can help you look for legal support related to bankruptcy, collection lawsuits, debt collection practices, and debt concerns while living on a fixed income. The available referral depends on your state and the issue.

FaithWorks is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. An attorney decides whether to accept your matter and explains the scope and cost of any representation.

Yes. You deserve to understand bankruptcy alongside other relevant options. Seeking legal advice does not commit you to filing.

An attorney can explain eligibility, possible protections, debts that may remain, and effects on your property and credit. We respect that this is a personal decision with practical and spiritual dimensions. Our role is to support an informed choice, not make a judgment about your faith.

Fixed Income Advocacy refers here to legal support for people whose limited income may include benefits with collection protections. A legal provider can review the income, assets, debts, and laws involved, and explain what protections or services may apply.

It is not government debt forgiveness and does not automatically erase a balance or prevent a lawsuit. Living on a fixed income alone does not establish that all of your money or property is protected.

Read the court papers promptly and seek help from an attorney licensed in your state or a legal aid organization. Court deadlines matter even if you dispute the debt or are already discussing a settlement. Do not wait for a FaithWorks callback before addressing a deadline.

A referral request does not create legal representation or pause the case. See the CFPB’s guidance on debt collection lawsuits.

Costs depend on the attorney or legal service. Some offer a free initial consultation; others charge. Ask for the fee arrangement and a clear explanation of what is included, especially whether court representation is covered.

A referral alone does not mean an attorney has agreed to represent you. If cost is a barrier, you can also look for a local legal aid organization.