Financial Empowerment Centers

To find a location near you, and for more information, call the Philadelphia Financial Empowerment Centers Hotline at 1-855-FIN-PHIL (346-7445) or visit us on the web at www.phila.gov/financialempowerment.

Schedule an appointment now for free, one-on-one counseling by calling 1-855-FIN-PHIL.

The city’s Centers help clients take control of their debt, deal with debt collectors, improve their credit, create a budget, find safe and affordable financial products, and much more.

Financial counselors provide sessions on the following financial topics:

• Money Management and Budgeting
• Banking and Basic Financial Transactions
• Credit Reports
• Using Credit Wisely
• Consumer Protection and Debt Collection
• Student Loans
• Bankruptcy
• Negotiation
• Investments and Future Planning
• Homeownership
• Insurance and Benefits

All Philadelphians are eligible to receive the free one-on-one financial counseling. The Centers will support low-income individuals and families, focused particularly on areas with high concentrations of poverty, low educational attainment, new immigrants, new entrants to the workforce, and the working poor.

Yes. None of your information will be shared without your permission. All of our financial counselors are trained in confidentiality.

Counseling sessions are available in the following languages: English, Spanish, French, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Laotian, Portuguese, and Mandingo. We will also work to accommodate other languages as well.

Unlimited. Repeat visits are strongly encouraged.

To schedule your appointment, please be prepared to tell the operator your:

• Name
• Phone number or email address, and
• Availability for a session

The financial counselor will tell you what to bring to the appointment over the phone or in an email prior to the appointment. For your first session, you may be asked to bring your paystubs (at least two months worth if possible), any record of additional income, any bills that you may have, and any letters from creditors.

Here are some examples of how a certified financial counselor may work with you during a session:

• Run your credit report, tell you your credit score, and give you a copy
• Make a budget and create payment plans to help you build savings
• Talk to creditors on your behalf to lower old fees and penalties
• Erase erroneous debts and correct credit histories
• Negotiate with creditors for more favorable payment plans, total debts owed, and ongoing interest rates
• Identify new sources of income such as unclaimed benefits like the childcare tax credit, the earned income tax credit, and others

There are many more services available for you to take advantage of.

Congreso Headquarters
216 W. Somerset Street
Philadelphia, PA 19133
Hours of Operation
Monday: 8am – 6pm
Tuesday: 9am – 7pm
Wednesday: 8am – 6 pm
Thursday: 8am – 7pm
Friday: 8am – 5pm

Municipal Services Building
1401 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Concourse
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Hours of Operation
Monday through Thursday: 9am – 7pm
Friday: 8am – 5pm
Saturday: 9am – 3 pm

The Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians
1617 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Suite 555
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Hours of Operation
Tuesday: 11am – 8 pm
Friday: 9am – 5pm

People’s Emergency Center in the Families First Building
3939 Warren Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Hours of Operation
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 9am – 6pm
Friday: 8am – 5pm

Community College of Philadelphia Main Campus
1700 Spring Garden
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Hours of Operation
Monday, Wednesday: 8am – 5pm

Community Legal Services
1410 W. Erie Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19140
Hours of Operation
Monday, 9 am – 6 pm
Thursday, 8 am – 5 pm
Friday, 8 am – 5 pm

View a google map of the locations.

Please contact the Financial Empowerment Outreach Coordinator, Kelesha Baber, by emailing at [email protected].

Schedule an appointment now for free, one-on-one counseling by calling 1-855-FIN-PHIL.