A new financial counseling hot line based in Catonsville offers free guidance for those unable or unwilling to come to the Frederick Road offices of Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Maryland and Delaware.

Counselors for CCCS, a nonprofit based at 757 Frederick Road, answered about 80 calls the day the hot line opened in early June, according to Robin McKinney, director of Maryland CASH (Creating Assets, Savings and Help).

The only free, not-for-profit hot line in the state, according to McKinney, is a partnership between CCCS and Maryland CASH and Baltimore CASH, two coalitions of nonprofit organizations that help low- and moderate-income residents with financial issues.

Counselors speak with an average of seven callers a day as of July 11, according to Nina Heck, the director of CCCS.

"You don't have to be in financial trouble to call this hot line," McKinney said. "But if you're in crisis, you can also be helped.

"One of the biggest problems we see is that people are overwhelmed with credit card debt," she said.

Among the issues heard on the hot line are paying off student loans, coping with the cost of housing or a mortgage and spending beyond one's means, according to Jim Godfrey, president and CEO of CCCS of Maryland and Delaware.

"We see people from all walks of life and all ages," Heck said. "It's affecting young to old. It's across the board,"

The fact callers can remain anonymous over the phone helps, he said.

"If they can't make it to our workshop or are embarrassed about where they are right now, or simply because of their work, the hot line provides a flexible option," said Joanna Smith-Ramini, director of Baltimore CASH.

"It really has run the gamut [regarding] income and sophistication of the issue," she said.

"Particularly right now because the economy is tough, food and gas are high ... a lot more people are feeling it and seeking information and budgeting counseling." Smith-Ramini said.

People can arrange face-to-face appointments with one of the CCCS branches, but the hot line offers another option for those who feel less comfortable talking about the issue face to face or who don't want to spend time and gas to have a basic question or two answered.

"I like that idea because we have people with transportation issues, people who are homebound, and if you do something over the phone, people are a lot more open," McKinney said.

The counselors fielding the calls are certified by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.

"We [the counselors at the hot line] are here to help. No one will be judged.

"This is an unbiased service without having someone trying to sell you a product," McKinney said.

The 1-877-254-1097 number is answered Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Calls are free from anywhere in Maryland.

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