Preferred Debtor Counseling Carinthia

Priority Debt Counseling Carinthia offers all private individuals residing in Carinthia – adolescents and adults – free, confidential, and solution-oriented support in cases of indebtedness. At the locations in Klagenfurt and Villach, qualified counselors are available to develop clear courses of action in the face of impending or existing over-indebtedness. As the only state-recognized provider of this social project, the measure enables comprehensive support, ranging from the analysis of the financial situation through the development of individual regulation concepts to representation in judicial debt settlement proceedings. Those seeking advice benefit from "help for self-help" in the sense of an empowerment approach, where voluntariness, equal treatment, and confidentiality are central principles.

The State of Carinthia continuously and indefinitely funds this direct measure from the beginning of 2021 through a grant under the Carinthian Social Assistance Act (§ 3 para. 3, § 19 K-SHG 2021). The goal is to prevent social emergencies as well as to strengthen incentives and opportunities for employment through preventive counseling services. This preserves or restores social integration and economic independence of indebted persons. Eligible for funding are all private individuals, except members of the Chamber of Agriculture and the Chamber of Commerce, who enter into a contractual agreement in accordance with legal provisions and ensure the appropriate use of funds. Applications can be submitted at any time, allowing affected persons access to this important social service without deadline pressure.