This is my complete guide to How to Get Free Car From Government.
This article takes an in-depth dive into the question: ‘How to obtain an affordable or free car from government programs?’ We are going to be navigating the need of government free car assistance, its eligibility, the documents needed to be submitted to avail this aid, the government programs offering them as well as similar non-government programs.
The latter section of the article will talk about other resources and forms of help which can be useful for those who are thinking or are going to apply for government cars. But, how is this aid provided? Is the car provided on a lease or loan? Or is this government free car assistance in the form of free money from the government to buy a car?
Let’s answer all these questions and more and go through all the particulars required to understand the process of obtaining an affordable or a free car from government programs.
Introduction: Free Car from Government
Cars have been seen as a luxury, a privilege for most for the longest time. But times are changing now, they are not just a means to get around which saves time and makes our life easier, it has become a necessity in the life of the working citizen.
Cars have long crossed its basic purpose of transport and that is why even though the practicality of owning a car has entered the lives of the working class, the financial feasibility of actually owning a car still equals to a luxury for a huge fraction of the population due to financial feasibility of its purchase. This is why many people apply for government cars as they are affordable and sometimes even given for free!
It should be kept in mind that it’s not just the market price of your average car which poses a difficulty but also the periodic and inevitable upkeep and maintenance which adds up to a considerable amount of money on a monthly basis. A detailed analysis of how much it roughly takes to own a car today has been provided below.
I feel it is safe to say that there is a wide gap between the huge population of our country and their need and dream of owning a car. The government as well as various non-government non-profits, both local and international, also recognize this problem and try to provide aid on every level possible.
This is where charity and government free car assistance comes into the picture. There are various forms of aid which are provided so that people can easily obtain free cars from government programs. These forms also include state and federal grants which basically act as free money from the government to buy a car.
Looking up ‘How to apply for government cars?’ spits out endless results and links which can seem puzzling. That’s with good reason as there are a plethora of organizations, counting in the non-profits, religious charities, local institutes and donation programs which provide help extremely similar to government free car assistance.
The huge amount of information which will be presented by any search engine can naturally feel daunting to a person who is looking for said aid and that is why it is best to go through the verified and reliable organization and program’s websites, checking the eligibility and authenticity of all the possibilities, listing down ones that suit your needs and after a thorough research and understanding of the terms and conditions of the private non-profit or government free car assistance programs and start applying to your best suited schemes.
I’ve tried to make this article a one-stop joint for the maximum of these bases needed to get a free car from government programs or non-profit schemes.
Average or Possible Costs of Owning and Maintaining a Car
As mentioned earlier, buying a car is not the only obstacle to the dream of being a car owner. Free cars from government programs and private non-profits, which are going to be discussed in-depth, are working on that.
An additional issue which keeps people from actually taking the leap to even apply for government cars is the huge up-keep and maintenance which is generally not included in the charity or government free car assistance programs providing the vehicles.
Nonetheless, it’s important to understand the general maintenance cost of a car for a person who is looking to apply for government cars to ensure that he or she understands what it is that they are getting into. So how much is the upkeep of a car?
The general estimated cost for repairing and maintenance of vehicles, especially cars, is shockingly high. They can go up to hundreds of dollars per repair! There are certain issues that your vehicle starts facing over time which are practically inevitable to avoid but take a considerable amount of money which can run out of budget for many, especially those who obtained their cars from charity or government free car assistance programs.
For instance, the engine light of cars eventually begins facing issues after prolonged use. To get it repaired, the total cost comes to about 398 U.S. dollars. Even a bumper problem’s repairs can cost from four hundred to nine hundred dollars. Not to forget the general wear and tear i.e. after travelling more than twenty thousand miles, the average maintenance of any vehicle can go up to fourteen hundred dollars!
It should be noted that we haven’t even taken personal or road emergencies into account. Emergencies can hit anyone but they undoubtedly hit the poor the hardest. It can be said that it is quite evident that maintenance and repairs can be a huge burden to certain groups of people, especially those working one or multiple minimum wage jobs through which they pay for basic utilities as well as all their expenses.
There are certain charity or government free car assistance programs which include maintenance in or give out discounts for the same, but it is not common. There are a few programs which provide car repair assistance which will be briefly discussed in a later section of the article.
Why Do People Apply for a Free Car from Government Programs
As mentioned earlier, the entire concept of owning a car has evolved with time. In today’s day and time, owning a car is a game changer when it comes to employment. Owning a car, even a free car from government programs or second-hand ones opens up a realm of employment options which might not have been looked into before on account of lack of physical proximity.
This problem is mainly prevalent among people who juggle multiple jobs and have a lot of travel time accounted into their days. New job opportunities also come up.
Owning a car lets you have an easy side hustle. Some examples of such employment options include but are not limited to jobs of delivery and driving partners, car wrapping for paid ads, etc. In the extremely competitive employment field that low-income groups stay in, not having a car can put anyone at a disadvantage.
To ensure that doesn’t happen on account of monetary status, charity and government free car assistance programs try their best to curate a process which is efficient for general people so they can fulfil their dream of owning a car with ease.
Cars to Be Expected When You Apply for Free Government Cars
The cars provided by government free car assistance programs are not always but rarely new or the latest model. The entire reason why people apply for free government cars is to make ends meet and thus the models of cars provided are fit to do exactly the same: the bare minimum purpose of transportation.
They can be donated cars as well. Keep in mind that this does not mean that cars provided by government free car assistance programs are junk. Every car handed out by the government is thoroughly inspected and goes through a reliable quality check to ensure that it does not pose a safety hazard to the citizen it is given.
The same cannot be said for private non-profit free car assistance programs, even though they do the exact same thing. That is why double-checking the authenticity of these programs is important. Even if you get a vehicle from one of these programs or auto auctions, it is best to have a trusted mechanic go through the entire vehicle to ensure that there are no mechanical issues with it.
A car doesn’t need to be fancy or extravagant in order to fulfil its primary purpose and that is why even a second-hand or basic vehicle given out by government free car assistance programs are blessing to low-income groups.
General Procedure to Follow in Order to Get a Free Car from the Government
Before we go into the details of the step-by-step process which needs to be followed to apply and get a chance to obtain a free car from the government, it should be noted that except for a thing here or there, a broadly similar process of application is observed in charity and non-profit programs as well.
Once you find a government free car assistance program that seems to suit your needs, go through its official website or its local office near you if possible.
The first step should be to ensure the authenticity of the program as scams in the same way charity and government free car assistance programs are quite common, which have been discussed in detail later. Getting in touch with people who have availed these programs is always beneficial but the identity of the person and double-checking the facts being told to you is a must.
The next course of action is to check the terms and conditions as well as the eligibility criteria which will always be explicitly provided. If not, request for a copy and go through each word thoroughly to understand what you are getting into and on what grounds. If you apply for government cars without doing the same, even a slight discrepancy can lead to the disqualification of your application.
While you actually apply for a free car from government programs i.e. filling out the application form, check and then double-check all your details. Even minute errors in form filling can have your application chucked out from consideration.
A question that will be found in all programs while you apply for government cars is regarding the reason you are applying for government free car assistance. This answer can prove to be the deciding factor while the resources are being handed out and that is why it is advisable to be as detailed and honest as it gets here. Keep in mind that exaggerating your plight is wrong on many levels.
Any government free car assistance program or even a charity or non-profit scheme will have you provide documents to back up the claims you make in your applications. Ensure that you have the correct documents ready and they match with the particulars filled in the application.
There are limited funds on the foundation of which each applicant receives a free car from government programs that run separately. The number of applicants to the number of distributed resources are not very favourable and that is why it is best that applicants who apply for government cars look into multiple programs.
A person who wants to maximize his or her chances of actually receiving help should fill the applications of all charity and government free car assistance he or she finds himself or herself to be eligible for.
It is extremely crucial to understand that certain programs state that the applicants should not apply for multiple programs in their terms and conditions. Reading and understanding these terms is extremely instrumental when one begins to apply for government cars to ensure that one’s application doesn’t get rejected on technical grounds.
Eligibility Criteria to Get a Free Car from Government Programs
Just like the application process, the eligibility criteria also tend to differ a bit with each government free car assistance program. These programs target all low-income individuals and families and thus the eligibility criteria is quite broad. The two most common criteria are as follows.
- Anyone of or above the age of 18 is eligible to get a free car from government programs.
- The other basic criteria is the most obvious one i.e. income level. All these charity and government free car assistance programs target people who are the neediest of the needy which is reflected in their eligibility criteria. Most programs have their applicants falling under the poverty line. Special attention is given to low-income families who have more than two children i.e. there chances of getting a free car from government programs is more as it is felt they need it more. This doesn’t mean that general low-income individuals are robbed of their resources. A major factor that comes to play is the availability of funds and resources.
It cannot be denied that in the low-income fraction of our population, there are certain groups which face more obstacles and have it harder than the others.
These special groups include but are not limited to disabled people, senior citizens, single mothers, veterans, etc. To ensure that their applications don’t get buried under the pile of general applications of free government car assistance programs, certain charities and government schemes focus on these chosen groups alone, tending to their needs and distributing exclusive resources.
So, while checking the eligibility criteria when you apply for government cars, one should check if he or she falls under any special category as it increases the chances of getting selected even if the particular free car assistance program is not preferential. These special categories can include the following:
- The applicant is a victim of a natural disaster.
- The applicant is disabled or facing severe medical issues.
- The applicant is an elderly citizen.
- The applicant is from a military family who is experiencing hardship as a result of war.
- The applicant’s family is in the process of transitioning from public assistance to work.
- The applicant is a student who is travelling a long distance for educational purposes i.e. coaching or college.
- The applicant belongs to the low-income group i.e. ‘The working poor’, meaning that they fall below the poverty line.
- The applicant is currently living in a transitional shelter.
- The applicant is a survivor of domestic abuse.
Apply for Free Car from Government: Documents Required
In order to get a free car from the government applications, all the details filled in by the applicant need to be backed up and reflected in the required documentation. The same process is also followed by charities and nonprofits. The documentation asked during application will depend upon the particular charity or government free car assistance program.
For instance, programs focusing on one particular social group will call for documentation regarding that realm while others won’t. Nonetheless, once one starts to apply for government cars, one should have the following original documents as well as a couple photocopies:
- Proof of identity of the applicant like his or her passport
- Proof of current employment with minimum hours like the employment letter
- Proof of income which includes all sources including pensions, child support, etc. if applicable
- Proof of lodging or address proof
Free Car from Government Through Federal Grants
Grants can be best understood as sums of money given to people who need it which does not need to be returned. The federal government does give our grants for various automobiles on a yearly basis. These grants act like free money from the government to buy a car or even get repairs in old cars. So how are these federal grants distributed?
These funds are distributed among state and local governing bodies like public transit systems. Some non-profit organizations also receive grant amounts from the government. Once the allocated resources are given out to the distributors, they start their own allocation system of the fractions of the funds provided to them.
The best way to try to get this free money from the government to buy a car is to be in the loop with the grants which can be done online through the federal government grant databases. There are some grants that are available and visible to individuals as well as organizations. Periodically check the website to make sure that you do not miss out on anything. Following is a step-by-step detailed process of obtaining a free car from government through federal grants:
- The applicants should visit the official USA site for grants. Following is the link regarding the same: https://www.grants.gov
- Once the applicant is able to access the homepage of the provided link, he or she should clock on the link at the top of the page namely ‘Search Grants’ which lets the user go through the online database.
- Look at the left side of the loaded page and find the filter tools.
- Click on the box which reads ‘Individual’ in the Eligibility section.
- Press search to perform the action.
- The website will provide you with all transportation grants which can be applied for as an individual applicant.
Free Car from Government Through State Grants
Now that we have understood how to get a free car from the government through federal grants, let’s understand how to do the same using state grants. State grants also act as free money from the government to buy a car. The first step is to look for local government agencies in your area which can be easily found. How do these local agencies help to get a free car from government resources?
These local agencies update people about the relevant information about government grants as well as set up some grants with the help of local donors along with numerous charities.
They connect the needy people, especially the most vulnerable groups like terminally ill or disabled patients, single mothers, veterans, etc. to provide them with government free car assistance and help while they apply for a free car from government resources.
They also have websites which provide details about all their latest grants that are being offered by other regional and local communities as well as other foundations so the applicants can lay down all their potential options easily. Following is a step-by-step guide that can be followed in order to get a free car from government resources in the form of grants:
- The applicant should visit the Grantsmanship Center Site to access and get information about free cars from government resources. The link to The Grantsmanship Center is: https://www.tgci.com/
- After reaching the home page, proceed to choose your state of residence in order to find local organizations, institutes and authorities that are offering free money from the government to buy a car i.e. available grants to get a free car from government resources.
- Once the website provides you with a list of resources and grants through which you can apply for government cars, start checking the eligibility criteria and short-listing the ones you feel you are qualified for.
- In order to actually start your application for free money from the government to buy a car, you will be required to login to their website. Following is the link to their log in portal:https://www.tgci.com/user/login
- Once you are successfully signed up and logged in, you can easily start applying for grants.
Free Money from the Government to Buy a Car
We just discussed government grants which can be best understood as loans provided by the government that do not need to be repaid. So these grants, both federally funded and state-funded act as free money from the government to buy a car. How is this money provided if one is actually selected to receive said grants?
It should be noted that the government does not provide direct cash or a free car from government possession to those who qualify and are selected to receive grants. This grant is provided in the form of credit card money or cheque which can be used only to buy a car. This is done to increase efficiency and minimize malpractice.
Getting a grant or free money from the government to buy a car is not where the process ends. A well-defined and systematic process needs to be followed after an applicant’s selection which is then followed by the submissions and analysis of the required documentation.
If an applicant gets selected for receiving free money from the government to buy a car, he or she receives a fund from $10000 to $50000 for the government processes. It should be noted that government free car assistance programs try to ensure that there is little to no paperwork that needs to be tackled by the selected applicants.
The waiting and processing time for a free car from government programs is also surprisingly low. If an applicant’s application for government free car assistance, he or she can get the process finished in ten to twenty days and receive your free car at the end.
Free Cars from Government Grant Scam
Government free car assistance programs set out to help a huge fraction of the population but there are a few people who try to exploit these policies for their own benefit. These scam programs hold up the pretext of being reliable government free car assistance programs and can seem eerily similar to the real ones. So how to avoid these scams which ensure you receive a free car from government programs?
The thing that needs to be kept in mind if you apply for government cars is that they do not demand any hidden costs or fees. Another thing to be kept in mind is that government free car assistance programs do not accept applications that are submitted through any other organization i.e. a third-party resource other than the applicant himself or herself.
Most people who fall prey to these scams offering ‘free money from the government to buy a car’ aren’t actually well-versed with the process in advance which is why it is advised to take a well-researched and educated step into the application process of a free car from government resources. No money needs to be paid if you apply for government cars from official government free car assistance programs.
It should be kept in mind that all these government free car assistance programs receive a huge number of applications out of which only a few are ultimately selected to receive a car.
All applicants face issues and desperately need a car but the government resources are handed out the neediest of the needy which leaves out a huge fraction of the applicants with no help.
So, if you apply for a free car from government programs, you should also look into charity and nonprofit programs which function similarly to government free car assistance programs. Ensure to check the reliability of these programs before applying to them and look out for signs of scams.
Following is a list of organizations similar to government free car assistance programs which provide affordable and free cars.
1800 Charity Cars Donation Auto
1800 car donations are a well-known program that runs all around the nation. The main aim, as the name suggests, is to provide cars to the needy sections of the society which include low-income individuals and families as well as the unemployed. They work similarly to the government free car assistance programs that we’ve understood before.
Very much like most free cars from government programs, the 1800 charity cars are also second-hand or donated. They try to bridge the much-needed gap between those who have a little too much to those who have nothing and could use the surplus.
This nonprofit institute receives and accepts a wide range of donated vehicles which are inspected, repaired if needed and provided to the poor for a negligible price.
Cars4Christmas
Cars4Christmas is not similar to your regular government free car assistance program as it does not really provide a car but it does provide free transportation facility to those families and individuals who are unable to arrange for it themselves.
They provide their services in the Midwest regions of Kansas City, Wichita, Omaha, St. Louis and Springfield. Following is Cars 4 Christmas’s official webpage:
http://www.cars4christmas.org/apply-for-a-vehicle.html
Online Car Donations Auto Charity
For a free car from the government application program that gets donated, the donor generally receives a tax deduction which can prove to be really helpful to her or him. Online Car Donations Auto Charity accepts donated vehicles in exchange for tax deductions as well. Their advertisements are targeted towards the hope of people donating their vehicles for those who need it.
The receiving end of this charity is a combination of various needy groups which include self-supporting single moms, disabled people, etc. Not much is known about the outcomes of this program but you can continue reading about it here: http://www.onlinecardonation.org/
Good News Garage
Are you going to apply for a free car from the government? If you are a resident of one of the following places, feel free to contact them: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont Southern and Maine Eastern New York, you should definitely look into the Good News Garage.
It was established in 1996 by Lutheran Social Services. Similar to many successful government free car assistance programs, Good News Garage has provided over five thousand cars to needy families. If you are wishing to donate a free car, call on toll-free 877. GIVE.AUTO (877.448.3288).
To continue reading about Good News Garage on their official website, click on the following link: http://www.goodnewsgarage.org/
Vehicles for Change
This program is extremely similar to your typical non-profit or government free car assistance program or scheme. It accepted vehicles from donors and in exchange, tried to provide them with the best probable tax deduction.
If you are applying for programs in order to get a free car from the government and you are a resident of Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Michigan, you can contact them about their assistance. They focus on people who are trying to stay afloat and be self-sufficient to ensure that their financial handicap doesn’t get in their way of financial stability.
If you found yourself eligible for a free car from the government applications, you will qualify the eligibility criteria here as well. An applicant needs to be employed for at least thirty hours on a weekly basis and should have sufficient funds to pay for the title, tags and taxes on the car they can potentially
To continue reading about Vehicles for Change, click on the following link: http://www.vehiclesforchange.org/
WithCauses.Org
WithCauses.Org has a simple procedure on their official website which states their application process through their form in order to get a chance to receive a free car. Continue reading by clicking on the following link to understand more about withcauses.org: https://www.withcauses.org/
Cars4Heroes
Military members and veterans are national heroes who have a lot of organizations and aided programs which set out to help them in various fields in order to show our respect for their contribution to our nation. Cars4heroes is a program which offers affordable and free cars to these people and their families.
If you are a veteran, active military or their family and you did apply for government cars, you should definitely look up cars4heroes.
Modest Needs
This isn’t your traditional government free car assistance program but it can definitely help if you are going to apply for government cars as it acts as financial back support even in case your applications do not work out.
The concept of Modest Needs is to let people use their side in order for them to post their condition and hardships before they can ask and urge people in order to get a modest amount of donated funds. Following is the official website for Modest Needs: https://www.modestneeds.org/
Working Cars for Working People
This is yet not another traditional government free car assistance program. The main goal of Working Cars for Working People is to encourage and promote the ownership of private trucks and cars. To make that goal achievable for needy groups, they allow and make vehicle loans with reasonable interest rates and special savings accounts so they can buy and own reconditioned cars put out by them.
United Methodist Church Car Ministry
WBU is a well-known international religious organization that is affiliated and connected with a huge number of churches in our country. If their funds and donations allow it, they do give out free and affordable cars to the needy.
The Salvation Army
TSA or The Salvation Army has to be one of the most popular Protestant churches and charities. Both their components run internationally and are well-loved and supported. They support helping everyone irrespective of their background.
They provide help in a plethora of ways which include but are not limited to food, toy and clothing drives, thrift stores, gas coupons, rent financial help, etc. How does it connect to government free car assistance? One of their forms of help includes affordable and free cars and automobiles. But this isn’t prevalent everywhere as it totally depends on the availability of donated vehicles.
St Vincent de Paul
St. Vincent de Paul is another Christian-based church and charity and holds numerous help posts for the poor and needy in the form of drives, stores, financial aid, etc.
Very similar to many religious charities, nonprofit and government free car assistance programs, the St Vincent de Paul charity’s provision of affordable and free cars depends on the funding available to their branches. It should be noted that they give out cars to those who need them for special circumstances like medical issues, employment feasibility, etc.
Goodwill
Goodwill is an American non-profit 501 organization that provides a wide range of help to those who need it. Its Wheels to Work program is one of the most famous car aid programs in the nation, even more than all the other discussed government free car assistance programs!
Their Wheels to Work is a successful car assistance program that tries to ensure that low-income citizens do not face a setback at work or employment opportunities due to a lack of resources for transportation.
They’ve successfully helped a lot of people all around the country!
Other Ways
Now that we’ve discussed the typical charity and government free car assistance programs, let’s take a quick look into some other non-conventional ways which can also help while you apply for government cars.
As told earlier all government free car assistance programs are quite competitive and thus it is best to understand as many sources of help and apply to all to ensure that some sort of aid is ultimately provided to us.
It should be noted that the following methods are not as simple, direct or reliable as when you apply for government cars through programs’ application forms on a huge scale but they are still forms of help which can be pursued to get all the help one can find.
Social Media
The power of social media is undeniable and its use is indispensable. Most social media applications allow people to create profiles and share their life with the world. But how does it get into the discussion of ‘free money from the government to buy a car’?
Social media platforms are a great way to pitch donation pleas. There are numerous websites which let you set up a donation account online for free and all you need to do is share it with as many people as you can and get your plea as much traction as possible.
You will be required to be despicable why you’ve set up this account and this is where you need to and should describe your present circumstances in detail with as many details and descriptions of emotions as possible. However dire your situation seems to be, make sure to never lie in your plea.
The rewards are not as simple as when you apply for government cars from programs but if your story is touching and your plea gets the needed social media attention, you are bound to receive a helpful sum of money.
Local Churches
There are churches in every locality. Every church has a section and a fraction of funds dedicated to help the needy of the community. Their funds are not as huge as many government free car assistance programs but they are still worth asking. If your request is heard, your situation understood and the funds or availability allows it, you are bound to receive help.
Mechanical Workshops
There are many mechanics throughout the country who provide second-hand cars that they repair and refurbish on their own as affordable or sometimes even free vehicles so they become more affordable for the low-income strata of the community.
Not all mechanics provide this form of aid but if you are going to apply for government cars, you should also enquire about these workshops in your area to start creating a backup if your other charity or government free car assistance programs’ applications do not work out.
Online Auto Auctions
Are you about to apply for a free car from government programs but still have a little money to invest in a vehicle, charity and government auto auctions can prove to be perfect for you. The government as well as various charities including The Salvation Army and Goodwill conduct auto auctions where donated vehicles which are touched up are auctioned off to the highest bidder at their auctions.
The final auction price still proves to be lesser than the normal vehicle for sale out there. The vehicles for auction are not necessarily new or even shiny but they do get the job of commuting done which is the should purpose in mind when you apply for government cars or any charity.
Like all government free car assistance programs, these auto auctions only hold up non-faulty vehicles for the needy but it is still advisable to get a mechanic to look at the vehicle before you start using it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some frequently asked questions about ‘Free car from government’ have been answered below:
Is There Such a Thing as a Free Car?
Absolutely, there are numerous sources, both charity non-profit government free car assistance programs do provide cars free of cost if you pass their eligibility criteria.
What Is a Plug-in Grant?
Free money from the government to buy a car is provided in the form of grants. It is possible for applicants to get a discount on the total price of brand-new low-emission vehicles. This can be done using a grant the government gives to vehicle dealerships and manufacturers.
Who Do Cars4heroes Focus Their Aid On?
Cars4heroes provide free and affordable cars to servants of the military, veterans and their families.
The Article Comes to an End
No one can deny the use of cars in today’s life and neither can one deny that cars remain a luxury to a huge population of our country. Having a car can be life-changing for low-income individuals and families. Various charity and government free car assistance programs try to bridge the ever-widening economic gap between these groups of people and their dream of being car owners.
There are endless competition in these government free car assistance programs and that is why it is crucial to understand the various ways of help and apply in all programs one qualifies the eligibility criteria for. There is help for everyone who needs it, all you need to do is diligently apply and hope for the best.
