In partnership with Neighborhood Centers, Inc.
WE CAN HELP!
If you...
- Are facing possible foreclosure
- Are in trouble with debt or credit cards
- Have lost income and need help paying your bills
- Need to fix bad credit
- Want to buy a home
BFA can help you:
- find out about available programs and how to qualify for them
- successfully talk with your lenders / creditors
- learn what you can do by yourself, what you need professional help for, and what you should look for in a professional
- find trustworthy professional help if you need it
- SAVE MONEY by understanding your options and what actions make sense in your individual situation
- learn the details you need to know in order to get control of your situation and stop it from getting worse!
HAS BFA HELPED YOU? If so, please consider making a donation -- no matter how small! -- to help support our work. (You can also buy a copy of our book, if you'd like.) Click the button below to donate, and THANK YOU!
Who Are We?
We are a Michigan Nonprofit Corporation with several years of experience helping educate and inform Michigan residents who are in financial trouble.
We have spoken at Town Hall Meetings and Seminars, and were recently featured on television on the popular Greg Gilbert Show. We wrote an informational book called "Everything You Need to Know if You're in Financial Trouble in Michigan" (click here to learn more about the book), and have published several articles on topics that concern people who've lost jobs or income, got a bad mortgage, or need other financial help.
We focus on getting clear, reliable information into the hands of the people who need it.
How Do I Get Help?
There are several ways to get BFA's help. Which one works for you depends on your situation and how you're most comfortable getting information about your finances. We strive to have a lot of options, so that you can get the kind of help you need.
In Person
We offer comprehensive individual counseling, face-to-face with an expert who has done research on your specific situation. This is ideal for people who do not have a firm budget or a good grasp on all the aspects of their financial situation, or who may need more explanation or have very many questions. One-on-one counseling includes a complete budget, supporting materials as necessary, and about one full hour of counseling with the goal of producing an action plan for handling your situation in the short, medium and long term. There is a small fee, determined on a sliding scale based on income, for a face-to-face counseling session.
To set up an appointment, call us at (734) 736-1775.
On the Phone
If you have a specific question, such as how to address an aspect of your financial situation or how to find a trustworthy professional to help you, you can give us a call and a counselor will be happy to answer your questions. We maintain up-to-date information in our office about all available programs, laws, procedures and more, and can usually answer your questions right away. In the event that we don't have the answer you're looking for, though, our talented research team can usually find it quickly. There is no charge for getting help over the phone, but please understand that our call-volumes can be heavy, and you may have to leave a message and wait for someone to call you back. We do apologize if this causes any inconveneince.
You can call us anytime at (734) 736-1775. Our office hours are 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, but feel free to leave us a message anytime and someone will get back with you as soon as possible.
By Email
If you're more comfortable with a computer, and willing to ask your question by email, this can be a very good way to get a quick answer.
Simply email service@bfa-mi.com, and a counselor will get back with you within a day or two.
Our Book
For the do-it-yourself types, or anyone who would benefit from having detailed information on hand (for yourself or to share with others), we've published the book "Everything You Need to Know if You're in Financial Trouble in Michigan." It includes explanations of and detailed planning guides for addressing problems with mortgages, credit and debt problems, and general financial issues. We've tried to focus on the "nitty-gritty" details that really make a difference, such as tips for talking to mortgage companies, and which order to pay your bills in if you can't pay them all. You can purchase the book as a paperback, or a low-cost downloadable file to read on your computer (PDF). Plus, by purchasing a copy, you'll be helping support our work helping others! Click here to see the book, and thank you!
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