20 Incredible Low Income Auto Loans with 0% Interest & More

Struggling to get to work? Programs like On the Road and Ways to Work offer incredible low income auto loans. Some of these programs offer 0% interest, low down payments, and other perks to get you going again. One of them only charges $1 for a car!

Don’t forget to check out our list of agencies that offer free cars or free car repairs as well!

Nationwide Low Income Auto Loans

In this section, we’ll explore low income auto loans that are available nationwide. For other options near you, check out the local section below.

Charity Motors

Charity Motors sells donated vehicles to raise money for charities. They sell vehicles at auctions in California, Colorado, Michigan, Maryland and Texas. Low income buyers can get a 50% discount on a used vehicle when they purchase it at a Charity Motors auction.

In order to be eligible, you must meet these requirements:

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must qualify as low income. You can provide proof of income, or just proof of participation in a means-tested program like Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, SSI or SSDI. Full time students are also eligible.

Once your application is approved, you’ll receive a low income buyer number that you can us for up to one year. Just take the number to one of their auctions and bid on a car.

On the Road Lending

This organization provides affordable car loans to people who are credit challenged. The goal is to give people an alternative to high-interest predatory loans.

You may be able to get a loan from On the Road Lending if you live in one of these states:

• Alabama
• Georgia
• Florida
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• North Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• West Virginia

If you’d like to apply, use the loan application on their website.

Local Low Income Auto Loans

Nationwide programs are a great start but local programs often give the best support. They understand the unique needs of your community. Let’s explore some resources to help you find low income auto loan programs near you!

Alabama

Caring Cars (Huntsville & Madison County)

Family Services Center can provide low income families a very low-cost car through their Caring Cars program. This program is for low income families who are currently employed and have a minor child in their home.

Although this program is not free, they do provide a 0% interest loan with a small down payment. The car’s price is also significantly below market value, which makes it much more affordable than other options. You can access the Caring Cars Application on their website.

California

KEYS Auto Program (Contra Costa County)

If you get CalWORKS benefits and can’t get an auto loan from other sources, your CalWORKS case manager may be able to refer you to the KEYS Auto Program. This program provides a low-cost loan of up to $6,000 to help you get a vehicle.

Hand Up Cars (San Diego County)

Low income families who have at least one child in San Diego County may be able to receive a low-cost loan of up to $10,000 to purchase a reliable vehicle. This program is organized by Jewish Family Services. You’ll also get one-on-one coaching to help with credit repair and financial goal setting. If you’re interested, click the contact us online button on the Hand Up Cars page.

DriveForward (San Mateo)

Need reliable transportation in San Mateo? If your income is under $101,000, check out the Drive Forward program for affordable car loans. Start the process with their online interest form.

Maryland

Second Chances Garage (Frederick County)

This organization provides low-cost vehicles to low income people in Frederick County. You must be employed, at least 21 years old, and working with a partner agency. You must be referred by one of their agency partners in order to participate.

Minnesota

Wheel Get There

This program sells donated cars at a steep discount. Most low income buyers pay between $40 and $700, although this does not include taxes, license or transfer fees. In order to qualify, you must be a low income person over age 18 who lives in the MVAC service area. Their area includes Blue Earth, Brown, LaSueur, Faribault, Martin, Sibley, Nicollet, Waseca, and Watonwan Counties. You’ll need to contact the organization to see what vehicles are available.

Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties

This organization provides low-cost car loans of up to $6,000 for working low income families who live in their service area. This program is called the Car Ownership Program.

New Jersey

NORWESCAP

NORWESCAP appears to have a program that provides matching funds to help you purchase your first car. This program is only mentioned briefly on their What We Do page, so you’ll need to contact them for details.

New York

Wheels to Work (Otsego County)

The Wheels to Work program helps low income families buy cheap vehicles. They also fund vehicle repairs. To qualify, you must be eligible for TANF. You can apply with the Opportunities for Otsego organization.

Catholic Charities

Many Catholic Charities agencies offer a Wheels for Work program. These programs offer low-interest loans for affordable used vehicles.

North Carolina

Working Wheels (Asheville & Surrounding Areas)

This program provides low-cost vehicles for low income families who need help getting a dependable vehicle. This program does not provide a handout. They require you to save enough money to purchase a discounted vehicle. You’ll need to get a referral from a participating agency to get started.

Wheels 4 Hope (Triangle and Triad)

Wheels 4 Hope provides low-cost vehicles for low income people in the Triangle and Triad areas. You will have to pay $500 for the car, transfer fees and taxes. You will also have to attend an orientation. There, you’ll learn about the program, warranty information and basic car care. In order to get started, you need to get a referral from a participating agency.

The CARes Project Inc.

If you’ve struggled to get an auto loan, you may be able to get a low-interest car loan from The CARes Project. This program also provides help with budgeting, money management and more. You must live in Forsyth, Davidson or Davie Counties in order to qualify. This program allows you to apply online.

Pennsylvania

Lighthouse Car Connections (Butler & Northern Allegheny County)

The Lighthouse Car Connections program helps low income working people get a vehicle. Before you get the vehicle, you must participate in their program and save at least $1,000 for the purchase of your vehicle. You can apply before you complete those steps, though. Reach out on the Lighthouse website.

Virginia

Responsible Rides by Freedom First

Connect with a low-interest auto loan from Responsible Rides. You’ll need to reach out to the Responsible Rides Coordinator via email or phone call for additional details.

Wisconsin

Jumpstart Affordable Car Loan

The JumpStart program can help you get a low-interest loan from WESTconsin Credit Union. You may be eligible if you live in Barron, Chippewa, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, or St. Croix counties. There is a $500 participation fee and a 5% down payment required at closing. You can download the application on the WESTCAP website.

Work ‘n’ Wheels

It appears that most Community Action Councils around the state offer some variation of the Work ‘n’ Wheels program. This program provides a low-cost loan for working individuals and families who meet the income guidelines. It appears the interest rate is actually zero for these loans, but the details may vary by agency.

• Couleecap provides zero interest loans for eligible buyers. They serve Crawford, LaCrosse, Monroe and Vernon Counties. You can apply on their website.
• SWCAP provides up to $6,000 toward your vehicle purchase with a 0% interest loan. This agency serves Dane, Grant, Green, Iowa, Lafayette, Richland and Sauk counties. You can apply on the SWCAP website.
• WDEOC provides up to $8,000 toward your vehicle purchase and up to $2,500 to help with vehicle repairs. This program is available in Buffalo, Jackson, Eau Clair and Trempealeau counties. To start your application, complete the intake form on the WD EOC website.

West Virginia

Good News Mountaineer Garage

This organization charges just $1 for the cars they provide! You must qualify for TANF and participate in the West Virginia WORKS program to qualify. They will ask you to pay $1 toward the car and participate in a maintenance class. If you qualify, you will need to ask your WV WORKS caseworker for a referral to the WV WORKS car program.

Relief Recap

The journey to reliable transportation might have some bumps along the way, but don’t lose hope. There are many options available to you, like the providers in this list. You may also be eligible for a free car or free car repair as well.

Nicole Thelin

Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.