BAEC Bulletin | September/October 2023 | 11
In the Public Service Student Loan Debt Consumer Assistance Program at NLS NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVICES
and forbearances. Our trained staff can show consumers how to get out of default to prevent wage garnishments, social security offsets and tax intercepts. We can also mediate issues with loan servicers and lenders. We have already assisted many WNY borrowers with many of these issues and would like to help attorneys with student loan debt as well. Our assistance is confidential and unbiased as well as free. Neighborhood Legal Services student debt counselors can assist borrowers in Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Wyoming, and Orleans counties. If you or anyone you know needs help or information on their student loans, please have them call Neighborhood Legal Services at (716)847-0650 ext. 445 and leave a message to get assistance. Borrowers can also come into our Buffalo office at 237 Main Street, Suite 400 from 12-4 p.m. on Thursdays for our open clinic hours. “ While the Supreme Court struck down Biden’s plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt, this decision does not have any effect on the timing or availability of these new programs. ”
Millions of New Yorkers, including forty-five percent of those under age 35, have student loan debt. During the pandemic, most of these borrowers received a break on their federal loans because of the payment pause instituted by the US Department of Education as part of the public health emergency. This pause allowed borrowers to be free from payment without any interest accruing. This student loan payment pause ends in October with interest again accruing on loans beginning in September. This means that millions of borrowers with federal student loans must begin repaying their loans after more than a three- year payment pause. Many borrowers will not be prepared to resume this payment. There is good news. The Biden Administration’s Department of Education has created several new programs and policies to make managing student loan debt easier and more affordable. While the Supreme Court struck down Biden’s plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt, this decision does not have any effect on the timing or availability of these new programs. There are now many more affordable repayment plans as well as ways to discharge and obtain loan forgiveness. Navigating these new plans and programs is complicated but Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc. can help. Neighborhood Legal Services received a grant from the Community Service Society late last year that allows our trained staff attorneys and student debt counselors to assist anyone with student loan debt regardless of income or resources. Our trained debt counselors can help folks for FREE! We are part of the Education Debt Consumer Assistance program (EDCAP). EDCAP was created to help New Yorkers navigate the student loan repayment system and maintain their financial health. This program is funded by New York State. Neighborhood Legal Services can help you determine your best repayment plan and access loan forgiveness, cancellation, and discharge programs. We can also help you apply for loan consolidation, deferments,
AUTHORS: KAREN WELCH KRISTEN O’CONNOR MERCEDEES REES
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