Easy-to-use, free search for local programs.

Find food assistance, help paying bills, and other free or reduced cost including new programs for the COVID-19 pandemic.

How to look up your credit report, how to solve common problems, and additional resources on consumer financial education.

A new, free service that connects people with a “Financial Navigator” – a person they can talk to about their financial concerns.

Financial Navigators are available at no cost to provide guidance, over the phone, to help residents access available programs and services to manage income loss and other financial concerns they may be experiencing. With one-on-one discussions, they will help to address personal financial issues, identify immediate steps to manage expenses and maximize income, and make referrals to other services such as bill paying assistance, government benefits and other programs that may come from future stimulus package.

Complete the online form to request a phone session with a Financial Navigator. For help with the online form, call 608-266-6300, Mon-Fri 10am–7pm or Sat, 12-5pm.

Organizations across Madison can also refer clients directly to a Financial Navigator by sharing the link or helping them fill out the interest form. Financial navigation sessions are available directly in English, Hmong, and Spanish, with ASL and other languages available through the City’s interpretation services.

Are you working with people pre- or post-release who have criminal records or criminal debt and need help managing their financial challenges? "Focus on Reentry" is a companion guide to the "Your Money, Your Goals" toolkit that can help you help them address financial challenges.

Download a PDF for free or order letter-sized, 3-hole-punched printed copies of this and other free publications from the CFPB.

Upsolve is a nonprofit tool that helps you file bankruptcy for free.

The two main types (called "Chapters") of bankruptcy that individuals filing bankruptcy in Wisconsin typically file under are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. You can file under both without an attorney, though Chapter 13 is complicated enough that you should seek legal counsel, even if that means investing some money for a lawyer.

If your household income falls below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, you can ask the court to waive the filing fee for your Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Wisconsin.