Best Practices: Ensuring Excellence
- Debt-Free America is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and licensed in all states where business is conducted as required by law.
- Debt-Free America obtains counselor certification conducted by a nationally recognized third party certification program that certifies that all of DFA’s counselors receive proper training and are qualified to provide financial assistance prior to performing counseling services.
- Debt-Free America is ISO 9001:2000 accredited to ensure quality performance in all aspects of business. Biannual audits by an external ISO representative evaluate operating procedures in detail to ensure this agency runs effectively.
- Debt-Free America receives a fiscal audit by an independent accountant at each year end under generally accepted accounting procedures (GAAP) to ensure adherence to the law and demonstrate its ethical business practices. Accurate accounting is maintained throughout the life of a client’s DMP.
- Debt-Free America has established activities which address the support of community money management and credit education, and always strives to reach as many members of the community as possible.
- Debt-Free America provides clients with debt management services regardless of the creditors owed or the amount of client’s outstanding debt.
- Debt-Free America disburses funds no later than 15 days after receipt of valid funds from the client, or by a scheduled disbursement date, whichever is greater. Funds are transmitted utilizing electronic payment processing whenever available.
- Debt-Free America has an inception date policy, which provides for the receipt of client's first payment within six weeks of signing the Application.
- Debt-Free America prohibits a policy requiring debt management plan consumers from being required to utilize additional services.
- Debt-Free America researches any complaint initiated by a client within five business days of receipt of the complaint, and takes appropriate action to resolve the complaint in a timely manner.
(Debt-Free America does not lend money to consumers at any time, and Debt-Free America will not have a financial solution for everyone.)