Institute for Financial Literacy Pro Bono Procedures

The Institute for Financial Literacy is an approved provider* of both pre-bankruptcy filing credit counseling and pre-discharge debtor education in all judicial districts throughout the United States. The Institute offers these services by internet and/or telephone and without regard to a client’s ability to pay.

The Institute automatically waives its fees for clients represented by a pro-bono legal service organization or by an attorney who has waived their legal fee in whole or in part. Normally, a letter or email directly from counsel providing the name and contact information for the client and stating that they are representing the client in question on a pro-bono or reduced fee basis will be sufficient documentation. This documentation must be received before the fee is waived.

Clients for who can document that Social Security or Social Security Disability is the sole income source for the household will also receive an automatic fee waiver. All other clients requesting a fee waiver will be evaluated on a case by case basis, including those receiving Social Security or SSDI but who also have other sources of income. Generally speaking, a client will receive a waiver if their household income falls below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, although each request is considered on its individual merits. Documentation (for example, the Form B3B application for waiver of court fees) will be required.

The Institute also works directly with pro bono legal service organizations to provide them with the ability to directly register clients for services, thus avoiding the need for the client to provide documentation. For more information about the bankruptcy related services of the Institute or its pro bono procedures, please contact our Attorney Relations Coordinator at 207-221-3619 or call toll free at 1-866-662-4932 and follow the prompts.

http://www.freshstartonline.org/

*Approval does not endorse or assure the quality of an Agency’s services.