This is my complete guide to How to Find Free Car Repair for Low Income Families.
It’s not a surprise that cars are an expensive affair which poses a difficulty for various low-income groups which include but are not limited to the unemployed, senior citizens, veterans, single mothers, etc.
Getting car repairs can come as unexpected pangs of financial crisis for these people. How much does an average car repair cost? Are there any organizations that provide free car repair for low-income families? How do I locate emergency car repair assistance near me?
Let’s answer these questions and more.
Introduction: Find Free Car Repair for Low Income Families
Owning a car in one’s name has been considered a luxury for the longest time. Over time, cars have become an indispensable part of the working citizen’s life, more so as a huge helping hand in terms of opportunities for low-income individuals who struggle to make ends meet whilst juggling multiple minimum wage jobs while paying for all their utilities and expenses through this small amount.
The upkeep of a car comes in the form of car maintenance and repair which is surprisingly exorbitant. Various organizations do recognize this issue in addition to the inability of certain groups to afford them and thus provide free car repair for low-income families and individuals.
This article guides you through all the particulars needed to understand and locate the best-suited organizations that provide low-income car repair assistance.
Also Read – How To Get A Free Car From A Dealership
Possible Costs for Maintenance and Car Repair
Before we dive into organizations providing affordable and free car repair for low-income families, let’s first take a brief look into the average amount which is spent on a routine check-up with the mechanic. How much do car repairs cost?
Hundreds of dollars are spent on car repairs at a go which is a considerable chunk of money for people barely making a doable living. You are bound to face issues with your vehicle over time, these can be accidental or due to gradual wear and tear. Let’s discuss a few of these potential expenses.
The engine light of maximum vehicles starts facing issues after prolonged usage which takes around 398 dollars to repair. A vehicle’s bumper is also prone to damage and its repair costs range from four hundred to nine hundred dollars. A car is a heavy machine that needs regular maintenance and service checks.
After travelling twenty thousand miles or more, the average cost of maintenance of a regular vehicle can go as high as fourteen hundred dollars.
These are huge figures which can still go higher under certain circumstances which are a huge price to bear for certain people, especially those who work a minimum wage job through which they pay for basic utilities as well as other additional and emergency bills.
Programs providing free car repair for low-income families are thus a necessity for these citizens. This low-income car repair assistance needs and is tried to be less time-consuming and efficient.
Also Read – Free Car Repairs from United Methodist Church Car Ministry
Nationwide Low-Income Car Repair Assistance
We have established that maintaining cars is an expensive ordeal and we need programs that provide free car repair for low-income families. Have you wondered: How can I locate free car repair for low-income families near me?
You should note that the organizations that provide low-income car repair assistance are either nationwide or local. We’ll be discussing the former first. Before we dive into the specifics of these organizations that provide free car repair for low-income families, it is crucial to note that some of these nationwide organizations like the Salvation Army have subdivisions.
Each subdivision runs on its own rules and regulations that it builds regarding the program. Free car repairs for low-income families are not a part of each division but you can still reach out to them for aid and you might receive help in some other form.
Let’s take a deep dive into nationwide programs and organizations that provide low income car repair assistance:
Catholic Charities
Catholic charities are non-profit organizations that provide various forms of help to those in need. But how do they weigh in the discussion of Nationwide low-income car repair assistance?
Even though catholic charities run locally, they can be found in every state of the country and are thus considered as nationwide resources to obtain free car repair for low-income families. It should be kept in mind that a few catholic charities only extend a helping hand to those who share the same faith as them.
Most charities help all who need it irrespective of their social and religious backgrounds but one should look into the same before applying for low income car repair assistance.
Community Action Agencies
Community Action Agencies can be best understood as local private and public nonprofits that carry out the CAP or Community Action Program which was founded with the aim of helping the needy low-income section of the population.
But does this program provide car repair assistance for low-income citizens? Can Community Action Agencies help in locating free car repair estimates near me?
Most Community Action Agencies are not related to one another but they can be found throughout the United States. Various Community Action Agencies provide help to whoever needs it in the form of bills for utilities, food and nutrition needs and even free car repair for low-income families.
As mentioned above, these Community Action Agencies may differ in mechanism and the form of aid they provide and that should be kept in mind while reaching out to them. In order to find a CAC in your area, you can enter “Community Action Agency” along with the name of your locality in any search engine.
Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC)
JARC stands for Job Access and Reverse Commute. The JARC program was launched to ensure that there are ways for low-income individuals and families to obtain aid for the unique transportation challenges faced by them due to their economic disabilities. They put in their best to ensure that these groups employment opportunities aren’t hindered because of a lack of transportation feasibility.
Does the JARC program’s aid include low-income car repair assistance? Does it provide free car repair for low-income families near me? If so then how?
JARC is a government program that assists low-income citizens with transportation through funds which can be used for providing help regarding public transportation, car repair, emergency breakdowns, etc. It does not provide free car repair for low-income families on its own, instead it gets in touch with local organizations and provides aid through them.
It should be noted that JARC is now seen as an outdated program as the funds supporting it have been perishing over the years but it is still worth looking up while trying to look for low-income car repair assistance.
Lutheran Faith in Action
Faith in Action is a group of volunteers from Our Savior Lutheran Church who try to create a difference in the lives of the needy by helping them in all ways possible. They believe and propagate the idea that service is faith in action.
In the various forms of help that they provide, do they extend free car repair for low-income families?
Yes, they do provide low-income car repair assistance. Contact your nearest Lutheran church
If you’re looking for help, you may want to contact your local Lutheran church to see if they offer this service or if they know and get you in touch with any other local ministry that provides the same.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Recalls
NHTSA stands for National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and can be best understood as an agency of the U.S. Federal government under the department of transportation.
They describe their mission as “Save lives, prevent injuries, reduce vehicle-related crashes’. Does low-income car repair assistance fall under their aid umbrella?
NHTSA doesn’t directly pay for a vehicle’s repairs. Instead, they keep track of recalls of vehicles and the repairs related to these specific recalls are done free of cost most times.
According to federal laws dictating their program, all cars that are upto fifteen years old must be provided with free repairs corresponding to recall-related repairs. Should you not apply for their aid if your car is older than fifteen?
If the repairs needed in your car pose a huge safety hazard, there is a high chance that they will agree to extend their low income car repair assistance program to you too.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, generally pseudonym as TSA is a Protestant church and an international charity with its headquarters in London. TSA is one of the most reliable and widespread Christian charities in the world today with a participant population of over 1.7 million who identify as salvationists and work towards the fulfilment of both the “physical and spiritual needs” of the poor and needy.
The Salvation Army is presently spread over 132 countries. The question that now arises is does TSA provide free car repair for low-income families near me?
There are numerous branches of The Salvation Army and each varies slightly in the way they run and provide aid. Numerous TSA branches do provide affordable and even free car repair for low-income families and individuals. If the funds allow it, you are most definitely going to receive the help you need.
St. Vincent de Paul
St. Vincent de Paul is another worldwide Catholic church and charitable organization. Their financial assistance programs include but are not limited to food pantries, clothing drives and even free car repair for low-income families. But how do they provide low-income car repair assistance?
Like most of St. Vincent de Paul’s financial assistance programs, this one is also operated by local parishes and is provided to those whose circumstances make the repair of the vehicle indispensable. These circumstances can include medical, employment-related distress, etc.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
TANF which stands for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families is a well-known federal assistance program of the U.S. and is best known for providing cash assistance to indigent American families. Does TANF provide car repair assistance for low income and needy families?
TANF is known to provide free car repair for low-income families and individuals in cases where it is deemed a necessity in order to keep you with their employment demands.
Specialized Auto Repair Resources
Out of all low-income groups present in our country today, certain ones feel the heat of these issues the most due to their background and the nature of their personal circumstances.
These groups include army soldiers and veterans. Many organizations work especially for these groups to ensure that their application is not buried under the overwhelming pile of general ones and they exclusively receive the help they deserve. Many low-income car repair assistance programs also recognize them and provide aid centerd on their needs. We have listed a few of them below:
Army Emergency Relief
Soldiers and their families can approach Army Emergency Relief (AER) for zero-interest loans and grants for rent, security deposits, food, and other utilities as well as additional things like funeral expenses and even vehicle repair and maintenance. Even though it is not exactly free car repair for low-income families, it certainly makes it more affordable.
Operation Homefront
Another organization that provides free or low-income car repair assistance to duty military deployed veterans is Operation Homefront. How does it function?
Let’s talk about eligibility first. In order to avail of aid from Operation Homefront, the applicant needs to be an active-duty military or a deployed, wounded, ill or injured. After qualifying the eligibility criteria, the applicant can obtain aid in the form of child and dependent care, rent payment assistance, low-income car repair assistance, etc.
Local Auto Repair Resources
Some resources providing free car repair for low-income families are confined to their local proximity. These programs and organizations may not be that popular or huge in terms of foundation but they are still a great option for people looking for low-income car repair assistance. But how do I find free car repair for low-income families near me?
Also Read – How to Get My Car Out of Impound for Free Without Insurance
Following Is a List of Reliable Low-Income Car Repair Assistance Resources Along with Their Location
Arizona
- Voluntary Vehicle Repair Program
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is a statewide resource for people looking for low-income car repair assistance and can provide up to 900 dollars toward emissions-related vehicle repairs if the applicant’s vehicle fails its emissions test.
- Auto Repair Good Guys Foundation
If you have ever wondered how to find cheap car mechanics near me, then Auto Repair Good Guys Foundation in Phoenix is your solution. They connect people to local mechanics who provide affordable and low-income car repair assistance.
California
The Bureau of Automotive Repair’s Consumer Assistance Program is a statewide initiative that aims to protect California’s air quality by offering people who pass their eligibility criteria low-income car repair assistance. You can receive $1,200 for repairs and even $1,500 for retiring your vehicle.
The St. Vincent de Paul Thousand Oaks Conference can provide low-income car repair assistance. It should be noted that they extend help to residents of the Conejo Valley who live in the following zip codes: 91359, 91360, 91361, 91362 and 91320.
Connecticut
The British Society provides free car repair for low-income families who are either British, meaning they hold a passport of the United Kingdom or he or she is a child of a British person taking residence in one of the six New England states
Delaware
The Community Resource Center runs an Emergency Needs Program in Sussex County that provides free car repair for low-income families. Find more information on the various forms of aid provided as well as their eligibility criteria on their official website. Is there a Community Resource Center providing emergency car repair assistance near me?
You can find the contact details of your nearest Community Resource Center and enquire about their low-income car repair assistance program.
Georgia
Coastal Plain Area EOA Inc. runs a Minor Car Repair program that provides low income car repair assistance in the form of affordable and free repairs regarding batteries, tires, water hoses, engine belts and other minor repairs. Is there any eligibility criteria to avail this aid?
In order for an applicant to avail of this help, he or she needs to have at least six months of employment at his or her present job. If so they can receive up to 300 dollars in the form of repairs per qualifying vehicle.
Iowa
The DeWitt Referral Center in Clinton County offers varied forms of help within the Central DeWitt Community School District to those who need them the most. Their umbrella of help includes rent assistance, gasoline costs, prescription bills, low-income car repair assistance and more.
Maine
The British Society provides low-income car repair assistance as explained above.
Community Harvest in Kennebunk, Kennebunkport or Arundel provides low income car repair assistance in addition to utility payments, security deposits, etc.
Massachusetts
The British Society provides low-income car repair assistance as explained above.
Michigan
Friends In Deed provides low-income car repair assistance in Ypsilanti.
Here to Help Foundation in Wayne & Oakland Counties is a low-income car repair assistance program that provides grants up to eight hundred dollars.
Michigan Works provides help in various forms which include low-income car repair assistance as well.
Minnesota
The Lift Garage in Minneapolis is a well known local non-profit organization that provides free car repair for low-income families in the area since 2013. They are also known to provide free pre-purchase car inspections and honest advice in terms of potential prospects.
Missouri
Good Samaritan Ministries in Helena provide low-income car repair assistance and other basic forms of charity help like motel vouchers, Christmas gifts, job skills development programs, etc.
Hope Rescue Mission in Missoula can also provide you with low-income car repair assistance if their funds allow it.
Nevada
Emergency Aid of Boulder City in Boulder City provides free car repair for low-income families living in the area and stranded travellers.
New Hampshire
The British Society provides low-income car repair assistance as explained.
New Mexico
Empty Stocking Fund in Santa Fe & Rio Arriba Counties has a fund dedicated to providing help to their locals. They also provide emergency low-income car repair assistance to those facing huge financial or personal circumstances.
North Caroline
Next Level Church in Charlotte has a program which provides low-income car repair assistance to single moms facing financial backlash.
Ohio
Muskingum Economic Opportunity Action Group Inc in Muskingum County has its Emergency Services Program which may be able to assist locals with affordable if not free car repairs.
Oregon
The Carpenter’s Garage in Portland locates a non-profit auto repair shop across the Columbia in Vancouver for you so you can find them with ease.
Rhode Island
The British Society as explained above.
The Community Outreach in Sioux Falls is known to provide transportation assistance and also provide low-income car repair assistance.
Texas
St. Vincent de Paul in Plano also provides required low-income car repair assistance.
The Catholic Community of St. Elizabeth Ann Setonca can provide their locals with low-interest loans from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Mini-Loan Program. These loans range from $500-$2,500 for emergency auto repairs and need to be paid in twelve months.
Virginia
Britepaths in Fairfax County provides low-income car repair assistance to those who are able to obtain a referral from Fairfax County’s Coordinated Services Planning (CSP).
Homestretch Incorporated in Fairfax County also provides free car repair for low-income families in their area.
Washington
The Carpenter’s Garage in Vancouver as explained above.
OSLC Car Shop in Tacoma extends 10-12 free car repairs per month.
West Virginia
EnAct Community Action offers low-income car repair assistance through their Wheel to Work program.
Wisconsin
Operation Help in St. Croix County provides emergency low-income car repair assistance to those locals who have a source of income. An applicant can obtain this aid once in twelve months and three times throughout.
St. Vincent de Paul Wausau provides low-income car repair assistance as described above.
If you were unable to locate a suitable low-income car repair assistance program through the provided list, you can contact United Way through their website or their toll-free hotline 2-1-1. The United Way does not provide free car repair for low-income families on their own but they connect you to organizations that do.
You should describe your situation in detail and provide the details asked and the hotline volunteers help you locate suitable low-income car repair assistance programs along with their contact details. They can assist you through the application process as well.
Also Read – Free Cars for Unemployed: Legit Ways
Frequently Asked Questions
Some frequently asked questions about ‘Free car repair for low-income families have been answered below:
1. How to Find Cheap Car Mechanics Near Me?
You can contact United Way through their site or their toll-free number 2-1-1 or ask your local church for assistance. There are also programs that function exclusively for this purpose i.e. connecting people to affordable and free mechanics in the area.
2. Does Michigan Works Provide Low Income Car Repair Assistance?
Yes. Michigan Works does provide low-income car repair assistance. In a two-parent family, each parent contributing towards the plea’s work participation can receive up to nine hundred dollars for auto repairs.
3. Is There Complicated Paperwork in the Application of Programs Providing Car Repair Assistance for Low-Income Families?
The application process for programs providing car repair assistance for low-income families are kept quite simple. One should keep certain documents ready. These documents should include identity proof, income and employment proof, bank statements indicating financial status, etc.
4. Should I Apply to More Than One Low Income Car Repair Assistance Program?
Most definitely! Most of these programs work on limited funds and donations and thus there is no surety that you will be provided with the aid you are looking for.
Thus, it is advisable to browse through as many low-income car repair assistance programs and apply to all those whose eligibility criteria we seem to be qualifying for.
5. How Can I Find Free Car Repair Estimates Near Me?
Organizations providing low-income car repair assistance programs can definitely help you with this. There are also free car repair estimate calculators online. The link to one such calculator is: https://www.droomdiscovery.com/repair-estimate
Also Read – How to Get Help with Paying Parking or Speeding Traffic Tickets
The Article Comes to an End
Our country is battling poverty on a level so deep that it has penetrated the lives of the low-income citizens to a point that their basic sustainable lifestyle is barely surviving and is standing in shreds today. The government and various non-profits are trying to bridge the financial gap between these groups and their needs.
One such initiative is low-income car repair assistance programs. If looking up, you will find endless links and a pile of information which is difficult to navigate through.
It is natural to feel overwhelmed but a sincere and systematic approach to finding the best suited low-income car repair assistance program is required. Keep in mind that there are ample resources out there and you are bound to receive the help you deserve.
