Searching for Credit Counselling

• Discusses the financial status of individuals seeking bankruptcy protection in order to determine how the individuals will be able to pay
• Assists applicants to complete the necessary form that will be submitted to Industry Canada's Insolvency Branch
• Steers applicants to other forms of assistance (such as counselling, proposals if applicable -- bankruptcy is a last resort)

• one-on-one coaching and counselling
• spending plans and budgeting
• support to access banking and income supports
• financial literacy education
• Registered Education Savings Plans (RESP) information and support
• tax preparation clinics (through the Lakehead Social Planning Council)
• support in understanding and accessing COVID-19 supports and payment relief options

• personal money management counselling
• online resources on consumer debt and money management

Stores and maintains credit information about individual Canadian consumers for use by members of the credit reporting agency
* provides credit reports to individuals upon request
* provides information about fraud prevention and assistance

Consumer Website: ocs.transunion.ca provides access to Consumer Disclosure Report, the option to add/modify a Potential Fraud Alert, and open up an Online Dispute
* also provides educational resources and tools to help gain a clear understanding of credit history and the impact of financial behaviour, and guard against identity theft and financial fraud

Credit Report: individuals may obtain their Consumer Disclosure Report (complete account of all the information on your credit report) free of charge online, by mail, in person or by phone

Credit Dispute: individuals who do not recognize information on their credit report, or believe an item may be inaccurate, may request a free investigation
* credit information may be disputed, or personal information updated, online, by phone or by mail (see website for form)

• mediation between debtor and creditor
• consumer debt repayment programs
• consumer credit education including online resources

• www.InspireFinancialLearning.ca -- financial literacy programs and tools for teachers, students and parents

• helps with creating a spending plan to manage living expenses, get finances back on track, consolidate debts in one monthly payment, save thousands of dollars in interest, and stop collection calls from creditors
• provides alternatives to filing for bankruptcy

• Assessment of income and expenses
• Money management advice
• Credit Counselling
• Budgeting assistance
• Debt management program
• Advocacy
• Public education, in-house or out in the community

• qualifications for reduction on electricity costs

• establishment services
• counseling and assistance in immigration procedures
• application for various visas, for permanent residency, work permit, citizenship, sponsorship, etc.

• oaths
• affirmations
• affidavits

• information and advice on immigrant and refugee rights
• guidance on judicial procedures
• defense of rights on various issues

• in-home doctor visits
• nursing and medical services at home

• daycare services
• job search assistance
• job placement and internship
• support for creating and starting a business
• support for training and studies
• counselling services
• rehabilitation and monitoring of probation for minors
• radicalization prevention
• housing support services
• social activities
• interpretation and document translation
• language instruction
• placement assistance for volunteering in Africa and Canada
• financial and administrative assistance for funerary services
• maintenance of a directory for professionals and business men in Canada

• home visits
• transportation and accompaniment
• physical activity
• meditation and relaxation sessions
• foot care
• social outings

• social housing management
• budget management
• employment support
• family support

• financial and administrative support

• obtain a copy of their Credit Report (personal credit history, credit check)
• call if a consumer has been denied credit, submit a dispute
• initiate corrections to errors in their Credit Report