Debt counseling sees itself as holistic personal help, but it cannot provide financial support to pay off debts. An individual solution is sought together according to the financial and personal circumstances of the person concerned. The aim of debt counseling is to enable individuals to regain an optimistic perspective and active life planning, to strengthen their ability to help themselves by raising awareness of the causes of over-indebtedness. Further assistance includes drawing up an economic and repayment plan, negotiating with creditors, and support with debt restructuring in cooperation with banks.
Debt counseling is offered free of charge. All information provided by those seeking advice is treated in strict confidence.
Debt counseling is a task of the districts and independent cities. They perform this task
- partly through their own municipal debt counseling centers,
- to a large extent through the advice centers of the independent welfare associations (Caritas, Diakonisches Werk, Arbeiterwohlfahrt, Rotes Kreuz, Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband).
You can obtain information about the debt counseling centers in your area from the responsible social welfare administration (social welfare office). You can find a list of debt counselling centers and recognized insolvency counselling centers in Bavaria under "Further links".