5 Essential Questions You Need To Ask Your Next Credit Counselor
If you are worried about your credit, you are not alone.
The National Foundation for Credit Counseling’s (NFCC) Q1 2026 Financial Stress Forecast reported that people's financial stress level has nearly doubled since 2021. Many are looking for financial counseling when it comes to their credit. Should you find yourself in this position, there are a few must-asks to prepare ahead of time to ask your credit counselor.
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Make sure you don’t skip these five essential questions for your credit counselor:
1. Are You Certified, and Is Your Agency a Nonprofit?
According to Nika Booth, a personal finance educator and the founder of Debt Free Gonnabe, certification tells you the person is actually trained and not just reading a script.
“Their nonprofit status can give you an idea of whether the agency itself is built to protect you or simply to sell to you,” Booth said.
2. What Results Are Realistic for a Situation Like Mine?
Followed by how long it typically takes to repair the credit of someone in your position, per the advice of Jethro Adedeji, the founder and CEO of Crowned Credit.
“A trustworthy professional will never promise a specific score jump or a guaranteed outcome,” said Adedeji. “If someone guarantees results, that is a red flag, not a selling point. Realistic expectations are what keep you from feeling let down three months in.”
3. How Is My Monthly Payment Split Up?
If you are recommended a debt management plan (DMP), Booth recommends asking what percentage of your monthly fee goes to the agency versus the creditors.
“A DMP rolls your payment into one monthly amount that the agency then distributes among your creditors,” said Booth. “However, they also take a cut, so get that number in writing so you know how much of your monthly payment will actually be applied to your debt.”
4. What Happens If I’m Not Able To Make a Monthly Payment?
President and founder of Family Credit Management, Michael McAuliffe, highlighted how “life happens and any good agency knows and accepts that,” if you end up missing a payment one month.
“They should be able to explain your options, whether that’s making a partial payment, prioritizing certain creditors or working with you to get back on track,” said McAuliffe. “If their answer to this question is simply that you can’t miss a payment, I’d be concerned.”
5. How Are Debt Repayments Prioritized?
Booth proposed the scenario of having both federal student loans and credit card debt, how do prioritize repayment between the two?
“A lot of people carry both and the two compete for the same limited dollars every month,” she said. “Credit counselors are trained on credit card debt and debt management plans, but student loans are a different animal entirely. Especially federal student loans with various repayment plans, forgiveness programs and deferment rules that most credit counselors just aren't trained on.
“If you have both and the counselor is unable to help you prioritize, I recommend getting a second opinion.”
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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