Consumer Credit Counseling Service of the Savannah Area, Inc. (CCCS) is launching a new campaign and diagnostic quiz to help community members identify if they have a debt challenge and to access tips, tool and support. CCCS and four other nonprofit agencies developed the campaign and is launching it as part of a pilot run with support from Prosperity Now to try to reach community members with sustained debt balances earlier.

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Americans hold $13.86 trillion in debt. The share of credit card balances 90+ days delinquent rose to 5.2%, continuing its upward trend. For many in our community, this debt enables homeownership or access to education. But for others, debt can become difficult to manage as households experience emergencies, unexpected expenses or shortfalls in their cash flow. In Savannah, 32.3% of credit card borrowers are using over 75% of their credit limit, an early warning sign of a mounting debt challenge.

Research conducted by The Ohio State University demonstrates the positive client impact of nonprofit credit counseling. Yet, community members with debt challenges often reach out for credit counseling when they are already struggling with collections or are facing utilities shut off or even eviction. A better time for people to reach out is when they are making payments, but those payments are not bringing down their balances. “Our counselors often hear from clients that they wished they’d come in earlier for help addressing their debt, so this project is in response to that need,” said John Wills CCCS President. “We know it can be scary to reach out for support especially if you’re already struggling with a job loss, reduced hours, a divorce or from medical bills. We want community members to know that they are not alone.”