Disasters & Pandemics

COVID Relief

The COVID-19 pandemic created upheaval in people’s lives and exacerbated existing racial and economic inequities. NCLC works to alleviate financial challenges resulting from COVID, to promote solutions that address the increasing inequalities, and to help families navigate their financial lives during turbulent times.

COVID-Driven Arrearages & Rising Energy Prices Increase Risk of Utility Shutoffs

November 8, 2022

This issue brief is being released as Massachusetts households approach a winter harder than any prior for those who struggle to pay the heating bills as they try to keep warm.

Read More about: COVID-Driven Arrearages & Rising Energy Prices Increase Risk of Utility Shutoffs
September 28, 2022
May 1, 2022

Recent

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Brief in Biden v. Nebraska & Brown v. U.S. Department of Education

January 11, 2023

COVID-Driven Arrearages & Rising Energy Prices Increase Risk of Utility Shutoffs

November 8, 2022

More Massachusetts Residents Fall Behind on Utilities, With Record Winter Bills on the Way 

November 8, 2022

Letter to Congress Regarding Just and Reasonable Rates for Incarcerated People During COVID-19

October 13, 2022

A Guide for Advocates to Recent Federal COVID-19 Relief to Help Consumers Pay for Essential Energy, Water, and Broadband Service

September 28, 2022

Group Letter Urging Federally-Backed Investors & the CFPB to Improve Communications for Borrowers with Home Equity

August 31, 2022

Coalition Letter to President Biden Regarding Extending the Pause on Student Loan Payments

June 30, 2022

Group Letter to HUD Regarding the Needed Loan Modification Enhancements to Address Rising Interest Rates

May 31, 2022

Group Letter Calling on President Biden to Cancel Federal Student Debt Immediately Via Executive action

May 27, 2022

Consumer Protection Regulation

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NCLC Welcomes CFPB Director Chopra and Describes Priorities for CFPB

October 5, 2021

Comments to the CFPB Regarding Debt Collection Practices in Connection With the Global COVID-19 Pandemic

May 7, 2021

Follow-Up Letter to September 24 Letter Urging CFPB to Rescind Guidance Permitting Industry to Exceed FCRA Deadlines

March 25, 2021

Group Letter to CFPB Acting Director Uejio regarding Additional Modifications to Debt Collection Rule to Better Protect Consumers

March 3, 2021

Letter Urging CFPB to Prevent or Limit Imminent Rental Evictions and Home Foreclosures in the Private Mortgage Market

March 3, 2021

Racial Justice Priorities for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

February 18, 2021

Group Letter to President Biden Regarding Consumer Protection Priorities for the Next COVID Economic Recovery Package

February 1, 2021

Group Letter to CFPB Urging Prevention of Covid Foreclosures

January 28, 2021

The CFPB Must Issue Emergency Guidance on Debt Collection During the Pandemic

December 1, 2020

Credit Reporting & Data Fairness

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Request that CFPB Prohibit Credit Reporting of Rent Arrears Incurred During COVID-19 Pandemic

May 6, 2021

Follow-Up Letter to September 24 Letter Urging CFPB to Rescind Guidance Permitting Industry to Exceed FCRA Deadlines

March 25, 2021

2021 Credit & Consumer Reporting Priorities to Promote Economic Recovery

December 1, 2020

Letter to CRAs Requesting Translated Credit Reports During COVID-19

October 19, 2020

Support letter for Credit Reporting Provisions of the HEROES Act/S.3508

June 24, 2020

Protecting Credit Reports During the COVID-19 Crisis

April 21, 2020

National Consumer Law Center Advocate Slams Trump Administration Credit Reporting Guidance for Giving Relief to Creditors and Credit Bureaus But Not Consumers During COVID-19 Pandemic

April 1, 2020

Credit Reports and the COVID-19 Crisis: What States Should Do to Help Consumers

March 24, 2020

The Credit Score Pandemic Paradox and Credit Invisibility

February 12, 2020

Criminal Justice

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Letter to Congress Regarding Just and Reasonable Rates for Incarcerated People During COVID-19

October 13, 2022

Group Letter to CT Regarding Prison Phone Justice

September 17, 2020

Amicus Brief in Scholl v. Mnuchin

August 21, 2020

National Consumer Law Center Advocates’ Statement Regarding U.S. House Passage of HEROES Act

May 15, 2020

Testimony of Ariel Nelson regarding H.4652, An Act Regarding Decarceration and COVID-19

May 5, 2020

Letter to the FCC—Protect Incarcerated People

April 7, 2020

Debt & Bankruptcy

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The High Cost of a Fresh Start: A State-by-State Analysis of Court Debt as a Bar to Record Clearing

February 1, 2022

Assisting Consumers with Rental Debt During COVID-19: Legal Aid and Non-Profit Attorneys Share Their Experiences

December 14, 2021

Letter to CFPB Regarding Rental Debt Survey of Legal Aid and Non-Profit Attorneys

December 14, 2021

Letter Regarding Application of CFPB’s Interim Final Rule to the New CDC Eviction Moratorium

August 10, 2021

Group Letter Supporting H.R. 4791, the Protecting Renters from Evictions Act of 2021

July 30, 2021

Summary of COVID Bankruptcy Relief Provisions

March 31, 2021

Coalition Letter to Congress on Immediate Action Needed to Protect Economic Impact Payments from Garnishment

March 8, 2021

Group Letter to CFPB Acting Director Uejio regarding Additional Modifications to Debt Collection Rule to Better Protect Consumers

March 3, 2021

Feed Families, Not Debt Collectors: Protect New Stimulus Payments and Child Tax Credits from Garnishment

March 1, 2021

Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications

View All for Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications
COVID-Driven Arrearages & Rising Energy Prices Increase Risk of Utility Shutoffs

November 8, 2022

More Massachusetts Residents Fall Behind on Utilities, With Record Winter Bills on the Way 

November 8, 2022

A Guide for Advocates to Recent Federal COVID-19 Relief to Help Consumers Pay for Essential Energy, Water, and Broadband Service

September 28, 2022

Group Letter to the Biden Administration Urging Quick Nomination of a 5th FCC Commissioner

June 11, 2021

Congress Must Act: Millions of Families Are At Risk of Losing Utility Service During the COVID-19 Crisis

February 25, 2021

Appendix B: States That Allow Phone Call Followed by Written Certification

February 24, 2021

Appendix C: States with Sample Prompt Reconnection Protection Rules

February 24, 2021

Appendix D: Sample Renewal Provisions of State Serious Illness Rules

February 24, 2021

Appendix E: Sample Notice Provisions of State Serious Illness Protection Notice Rules

February 24, 2021

Equity & Racial Justice

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The High Cost of a Fresh Start: A State-by-State Analysis of Court Debt as a Bar to Record Clearing

February 1, 2022

Group Letter Regarding First Generation Down Payment Assistance

October 26, 2021

Frauds, Scams and COVID-19: How Con Artists Have Targeted Older Americans During the Pandemic

September 23, 2021

Comments Regarding Community Reinvestment Act

February 16, 2021

Group Letter to 117th Congress Urging Strengthening of Safeguards for Taxpayers and Students

February 2, 2021

Leading Civil Rights & Housing Groups Condemn President’s Effort to Gut Fair Housing, Use of Incendiary Racial Rhetoric for Political Gain

July 23, 2020

A Looming Crisis: Black Communities at Greatest Risk

July 1, 2020

Federal, State, and Private Protections for Older Consumers Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic

April 21, 2020

Letter Regarding Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Community Reinvestment Act Regulations

April 8, 2020

Homeownership & Foreclosure

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Group Letter Urging Federally-Backed Investors & the CFPB to Improve Communications for Borrowers with Home Equity

August 31, 2022

Group Letter to HUD Regarding the Needed Loan Modification Enhancements to Address Rising Interest Rates

May 31, 2022

Homeowner Assistance Fund: Overview and FAQs

May 1, 2022

FAQ: Homeowner Assistance Funds and Reverse Mortgages

March 1, 2022

NCLC Model Language to Protect Homeowners Applying for HAF Funds

February 16, 2022

Summary of Foreclosure Alternatives for Borrowers with COVID-19 Hardships

November 18, 2021

IRS Guidance Stating That HAF Assistance Is Not Taxable Income

November 8, 2021

Group Letter to HUD Regarding COVID-19 Waterfall Drafting Table Comments

November 4, 2021

Group Letter Regarding First Generation Down Payment Assistance

October 26, 2021

Robocalls & Texts

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Ex Parte Presentation Letter

April 23, 2020

Consumer Groups Support FCC Allowing Limited Automated Calls Related to COVID-19  from Lenders to Customers

April 10, 2020

Student Loans

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Brief in Biden v. Nebraska & Brown v. U.S. Department of Education

January 11, 2023

Coalition Letter to President Biden Regarding Extending the Pause on Student Loan Payments

June 30, 2022

Group Letter Calling on President Biden to Cancel Federal Student Debt Immediately Via Executive action

May 27, 2022

Group Letter from Over 200 Organizations to President Biden Urging Extension of the Pause on Student Loan Payments

December 8, 2021

Group Letter to the Department of Education Opposing a Return to the Default and Involuntary Collection of Student Loans

November 1, 2021

Almost Two in Three Navient Borrowers Making Payments During COVID-19 Federal Student Loan Payment Pause Are Underwater

August 1, 2021

Coalition Letter to President Biden and Vice President Harris Urging Executive Action to Cancel Student Debt

April 13, 2021

Letter re proposed Regulation X changes which will allow streamlined loan mod offers during and immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic

March 12, 2021

Support of closing the 90/10 loophole in the American Rescue Plan

March 4, 2021

From the NCLC Digital Library

Surviving Debt

A leading resource for over 25 years, this fully updated, 2021 edition of Surviving Debt provides precise, practical, and hard-hitting advice from the nation’s consumer law experts on how to deal with crushing debt affecting millions of Americans.

Learn More