Community-Centered and Nonpartisan
Advocacy means helping decision-makers understand what families experience
UWCT advocacy is grounded in mission, data, lived experience, and the needs of Central Texas residents. It does not require endorsing a political party or candidate. It means educating the public, convening partners, sharing credible information, identifying harmful barriers, and encouraging practical solutions.
This page has been brought forward from an older advocacy campaign
UWCT's former veteran and senior surveys were created for earlier legislative work, and the 2017 federal public-comment deadline has passed. Those expired links have been removed so visitors are not asked to complete closed surveys or submit comments to an inactive campaign.
Why Fair Lending Matters
A quick loan can become a long financial setback
Payday and auto-title products may provide fast access to cash, but the complete cost, repayment structure, renewal pattern, bank-account withdrawals, and risk to a vehicle can create serious consequences for households already under pressure.
Texas OCCC description of licensed credit-access-business products.
The entire amount may sometimes be due in a single payment.
The report notes no statewide maximum loan amount for these products.
A borrower may lose the vehicle and still owe a remaining balance and added costs.
Report published in 2025 using 2024 lending data. Figures describe products arranged through licensed Texas credit access businesses.
Understand the Product
Payday loan and auto-title loan are not the same
PAYDAY LOAN
Repayment tied to income and a bank account
A payday product is generally a short-term, high-cost loan based on the expectation that money will be deposited into the borrower's account.
The borrower should review the total dollar cost, APR, due dates, automatic-payment authorization, late charges, renewal terms, and what happens when the account lacks sufficient funds.
AUTO-TITLE LOAN
The vehicle title secures the debt
A title-loan customer generally must have a vehicle title that can be offered as collateral.
Default may lead to repossession. The borrower may also face a deficiency balance after sale of the vehicle, along with repossession, attorney, or court costs.
Before Signing Any High-Cost Loan
Slow the decision down long enough to see the complete cost
Current Consumer Protections
Know your rights and where to verify them
For covered loans, after two consecutive payment withdrawals fail because of insufficient funds, the lender generally cannot try again unless the consumer provides new, specific authorization or another rule exception applies.
REVIEW CFPB PAYMENT PROTECTIONS →The CFPB explains that a borrower cannot be arrested merely for defaulting, and a lender generally needs a court order before wages can be garnished.
EXPLORE CFPB RIGHTS AND GUIDES →The Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner licenses and regulates covered non-depository lenders and assists with questions and complaints involving payday and auto-title businesses.
VIEW TEXAS CAB INFORMATION →The City of Temple publishes Chapter 41 requirements involving annual registration, monitoring, enforcement, zoning, and other regulations for credit access businesses operating within city limits.
REVIEW CITY OF TEMPLE REQUIREMENTS →Having a Problem With a Loan?
Document the problem and use the correct help channel
TEXAS REGULATOR
OCCC Consumer Assistance
Call 800-538-1579 with questions or file a complaint involving a regulated Texas company.
Try to resolve the issue with the business first and keep contracts, statements, messages, payment records, and written responses.
FILE AN OCCC COMPLAINT →FEDERAL CONSUMER HELP
CFPB Complaint
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints about financial products and services.
The CFPB forwards eligible complaints to the company and generally works to obtain a response.
SUBMIT A CFPB COMPLAINT →ESSENTIAL RESOURCES
Call 2-1-1
When borrowing was driven by rent, utilities, food, transportation, health, or another basic need, 2-1-1 may help identify available alternatives.
Program availability and eligibility vary.
CALL 2-1-1 →UWCT Research Archive · Published 2019
The Effects of Payday and Auto-Title Loans on Texas Veterans
UWCT partnered with Texas Appleseed and United Way of Greater Houston to document veteran experiences. The report reflects a voluntary 2018 survey of 157 Texas veterans or veteran spouses and should be understood as historical research, not a current statewide prevalence study.
Advocacy in Action
Turn concern into informed, constructive participation
Review laws, agency reports, local ordinances, consumer disclosures, and current bill text instead of relying only on social-media summaries.
Lived experience helps leaders understand how repayment terms, vehicle loss, bank fees, income instability, and basic-needs gaps affect real households.
State the issue, explain the community impact, cite the evidence, describe the solution being requested, and identify the action the decision-maker can take.
Follow city agendas, agency actions, and Texas legislation. Thank leaders who respond and continue sharing accurate community information.
VISIT TEXAS LEGISLATURE ONLINE →Policy change and direct service work best together. Help households find immediate resources while addressing the systems that create repeated instability.
Data and Direct Service Together
Explore the UWCT work connected to fair lending
ALICE Research
Understand the gap between wages, the poverty level, and the actual cost of basic household necessities.
EXPLORE ALICE →VITA Tax Preparation
Help eligible households avoid preparation fees and receive applicable refunds and credits.
EXPLORE VITA →Financial Stability
Connect tax help, essential resources, community partnerships, and cost-of-living data.
VIEW FINANCIAL STABILITY →Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding advocacy and fair lending
Is UWCT asking visitors to complete the old surveys?
No. The surveys were created for earlier legislative work and are no longer presented as active. This redesign keeps the resulting historical research while removing expired calls to action.
Does the federal payday rule require lenders to decide that every borrower can repay?
No. The CFPB revoked the rule's mandatory underwriting provisions. The current federal rule primarily includes payment-withdrawal and notice protections for covered loans.
Can a person be arrested simply for not repaying a payday loan?
The CFPB states that a person cannot be arrested merely for defaulting on a payday loan. Threats involving arrest should be documented and reported to the appropriate regulator or legal authority.
Does Temple regulate payday and auto-title businesses locally?
Yes. The City of Temple says its 2015 ordinance created Chapter 41 requirements involving registration, monitoring, enforcement, and regulations for credit access businesses operating within city limits.
Where can a borrower get individual legal advice?
UWCT, the OCCC, and the CFPB provide information and complaint pathways but do not act as a person's private attorney. A borrower seeking legal advice, monetary damages, or representation should contact a qualified attorney or legal-aid organization.
Who should I contact about UWCT advocacy?
Contact United Way of Central Texas at 254-778-8616 or info@uwct.org.
Strong advocacy begins with accurate information and real community experience
Learn the issue, help residents find immediate resources, share credible data, and participate respectfully in the decisions that shape financial stability.
CALL 2-1-1 CONSUMER COMPLAINT HELP CONTACT UWCT