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Free Cars for Low Income Families – 5 Options

Free Cars for Low Income Families – 5 Options

Free car programs are available all over the United States, but it can be difficult to separate the real programs from the scams. Fortunately, we’ve done a bunch of research and we’re here to help.

We know what it’s like to need a car for free. In 2018, I’d reached the end of my rope. Our vehicle was held together by duct tape and prayer, and we were told that it needed an expensive $5,000 repair. I didn’t know what we were going to do!

Fortunately, someone told me about the Progressive Keys to Progress vehicle giveaway. My husband is a disabled veteran, so I knew we qualified. I was so excited to apply – and even more excited when I received a call from the organization, asking if we could accept a 5-seat vehicle. Unfortunately, we have five kids and couldn’t make such a small vehicle work for our family so we passed it on to another veteran in need… but it was so exciting to know that we technically won a free car, even if we couldn’t keep it!

If you stick around to the end of this post, I’ll also reveal a few tips that helped us win that free car. Hopefully, you can use these tips to win your own car for free as well!

Why are free cars important?

Obviously, transportation is necessary for low income families to get to work, school, doctor’s appointments and more. Life without a working vehicle can be very difficult, especially in rural areas or areas without reliable public transportation.

Many organizations have recognized this hardship, and that’s why they provide free cars to low income families who need them.

free cars for low income families

5 Nationwide Programs that Provide Free Cars for Low Income Families

There are many legitimate organizations that offer free cars for low income families. All of these programs have specific and unique requirements, so you may not qualify for all of them.

Here are the ones that we’ve personally verified.

Progressive Keys to Progress Giveaway

Every year, Progressive gives away about 100 cars to veterans in need. This is the one that we won in 2017! We’ll give you all the information and show you how we wrote our winning application here.

1-800-Charity-Cars

Since 1996, Charity Cars has been encourage people to donate cars to the organization so the organization can then donate cars to families in need. As America’s #1 car donation charity, Charity Cars has been featured on Oprah, Good Morning America and other major outlets. They are especially known for providing free cars for disabled veterans, victims of domestic violence, families living in shelters and victims of natural disasters.

To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

  • United States resident
  • Age 18+
  • Valid Driver’s License
  • At or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level ($48,600 for a family of 4 in 2016)
  • No sustainable transportation

In order to receive a car, you will need to have access to a computer and internet service. You’ll need to be able to sign up and create an account at www.freecharitycars.org. You’ll complete an application, generate votes to move up the waiting list and remain access on the site.

Working Cars for Working Families

Many organizations that focus on getting free cars to those in need have formed a coalition at workingcarsforworkingfamilies.org. Use their nifty Find a Program tool to find agencies that provide free cars, low cost auto repair or low income auto loans in your area.

A search in the Portland, Oregon, area directs users to contact Ways to Work Inc. at (503) 688-1785 for help obtaining a reliable vehicle. According to the Ways to Work website, “The ability to access affordable loans to purchase, repair, or refinance a car can be life-changing for working parents.  As part of the national Ways to Work program, we’re getting parents on the road when they need it most.”

Ways to Work

When you rely on a vehicle to get to work, losing your transportation can be an absolute disaster. Ways to Work doesn’t provide free cars but they do provide small, low interest loans to qualifying low-income applicants. Loans will be for no longer than 30 months and no more than 8% interest.

To qualify, you must reside in a service area and meet the following criteria:

  • 6 months of continuous employment OR enrolled in a post-high school education program
  • Be an involved parent of dependent child(ren)
  • Unable to obtain conventional loan resources
  • Have enough disposable income to make payments
  • Have a household income that is 80% or less than the area’s median income

To apply, you will need to visit a local loan office. Loan offices are available in 13 states. Click here to find one near you!

Local Programs that Provide Free Cars

Of course, there are many local organizations and programs that help low income families get a car for free as well.

Virginia

We’ve found programs that offer free cars in Virginia!

United Methodist Car Ministry (Northern Virginia only)

The United Methodist Church operates a Car Ministry for the poor, the needy and full time ministry workers. They have provided thousands of vehicles since their founding in 1984. On average, they donate 50-150 vehicles per year.

All vehicles must run well and pass Virginia safety and emission standards before they are given to low income families. The Car Ministry recognizes that providing faulty vehicles that need repair could cause more problems that it would solve, so they are very careful to maintain the quality of their vehicles.

In order to receive a free car from United Methodist Car Ministry, you will need to be referred by a social worker or pastor. You will also need to complete this application.

Save Money & Get Free Stuff

Nicole is the owner and lead researcher for Low Income Relief. She has over 20 years of professional research and writing experience, and she has been solely dedicated to investigating low income topics for the last 10 years. Nicole started Low Income Relief after a personal experience with poverty. When her husband was medically discharged from the US Army, their family experienced tremendous financial hardship. Nicole was able to gather help from multiple community agencies and move into a nearby low income housing unit in just two weeks! Since then, Nicole has been dedicated to helping low income families in crisis. She regularly spends hundreds of hours combing through countless resources to make sure that Low Income Relief has the most comprehensive and complete resource directories on the internet today. Prior to starting Low Income Relief, Nicole worked as a novelist, journalist, ghostwriter and content creator. Her work has been featured in various print and online publications, including USA Today, The Daily Herald, The Chronicle and more. Her work has also been featured by Google for Publishers and other leading industry publications.

Joe

Saturday 17th of February 2024

Today the engine went in our 2014 Hyundai Tucson and we drive for Lyft. I’m supposed to be starting orientation at a new job on Monday at 10am an hour and half away from the motel me an my fiancée are staying at till we find a house to rent. We really need help with transportation to get me to work after that. Until we get our vehicle back. My hours are going to be Sunday through Tuesday 6am-6pm and Wednesday 6am-12 noon Thank You

Catherine Marucci

Monday 19th of February 2024

Hi Joe. It may be worth contacting 211 to see if they know of any resources in your area that can offer support for employment. https://lowincomerelief.com/assistance-with-transportation/

Thomas

Wednesday 14th of February 2024

I am not one to ask for help, but this time am. I could fill out this paper, but I will try to make short. Long story short, My mechanic ruins my block on my honda, January 2023, I slip and fall, I am looking at fusion, P/T for 4 weeks, I go into P/T with a cane, during the 3rd week, one day later on the 3rd week of p/t. I am in a walker, now a rolator. The 3rd gear of my honda goes out( I drive a clutch, 5 speed). The damage of my leg is my left, the clutch, not good. So, I am single, some local help, 1200 a month, looking at a fusion, in a rolator and and a bad engine and transmission. I enjoy a clutch, but now I cannot drive one. I really hate to ask, any help would be great, Just point me in the right direction, and, I can take it from there. Much appreciated,

Thomas

Catherine Marucci

Wednesday 14th of February 2024

Hi Thomas. If the resources above are not helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see if there are any programs in your area that help with vehicles.

Dee Castle

Sunday 11th of February 2024

Hi my name is Dee Castle I have struggled for now it has been the past 3 years. I'm disabled an have had custody of 3 of my gran sons all under the age of 8 now. 2 being awtisic and one of them is non verbal. I need a home I put in for section 8 had but so far haven't heard from them. I have to take the bus to dr,s and all appts and at times pick them up when sick at school. I'm at the end of my rope and have no one but my self they can count on and have been struggling. Is there anything that I can do to make our lives better. We need a home we have to live with someone and they don't understand what awtisic children are and it's heated by kerosene heating its smells an bad on our lungs. My non verble child just turned 3 and it's a nightmare being here but xant leave bc have no transportation thank you Dee Castle from KY

Catherine Marucci

Monday 12th of February 2024

Hi Dee. Raising little kids can definitely be a struggle, even without added stresses. https://lowincomerelief.com/apply-for-disability-for-a-child/ Here are some ideas: https://lowincomerelief.com/financial-help-for-disabled-people/

Jackie

Sunday 28th of January 2024

The working cars for working families link only has 2 actual Minnesota programs for helping with your vehicle or getting a vehicle. The rest are just advertising links or bad websites.

Jane M Smith

Friday 26th of January 2024

Hi, I was just reading your site for the first time, I am in desperate need of a vehicle, although I no longer have children at home. And that is what you seem to look for and point everything towards. Not a criticism at all, just an observation. I also was wondering if you needed any volunteers to look for anything that would help anyone? I'm so tired of not being able to go to work because of physical health issues and my doctors can not sign off on. You are all doing an amazing job!!! One last thing, I really want to go back to school and finish, because due to someone hitting my car, I was in pt, ot and speech therapy for3 years and couldn't finish college, I just don't have an updated laptop and can't afford one. Good Luck to all of you.

Catherine Marucci

Monday 29th of January 2024

Hi Jane. Have you seen these? https://lowincomerelief.com/how-to-get-a-free-tablet-with-ebt/ https://lowincomerelief.com/library-card-secret-benefits/