Struggling to keep up with your car payments? You’re not alone. Many people face financial hardship that makes it difficult to afford their vehicles. Fortunately, some organizations offer assistance.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Organizations that Give Car Payment Assistance
V.A. Family Caregiver Program
This program offers financial support to veterans’ caregivers, with funds allocated for various needs, including car payments. It is especially beneficial for families where a member has served in the military.
HEN Program (Housing and Essential Needs)
This program provides financial assistance for car payments. It’s aimed at individuals and families facing housing instability or other essential needs.
Guaranteed Income Programs
These programs provide regular, unconditional payments to individuals, which can help manage recurring expenses such as car payments. They aim to reduce financial stress and improve stability.
Vehicles for a Change
This organization helps families achieve financial stability through car donations and re-entry internship programs. It’s a holistic approach to providing mobility and employment opportunities.
Jill’s Wish
Specifically targeted at recently diagnosed breast cancer patients, Jill’s Wish offers up to $1,500 for non-medical living expenses, including car payments. It’s compassionate support for those dealing with health crises.
Annie E. Casey Foundation
This foundation supports a vast nationwide network of low-income car programs, helping individuals secure reliable vehicles at affordable prices and interest rates. It focuses on transportation equity.
Auto Loan Hardship Programs
Various lenders offer these programs, such as Alliant Credit Union, Ally Auto Refinance, CarMax, and Carvana. They assist with payment plans, due date changes, and extensions for those facing financial hardships.
Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC)
A government initiative providing grants for car repair and transportation costs, JARC focuses on helping individuals gain self-sufficiency through improved mobility.
Douglas County Care provides free car repair services and, in some cases, aids individuals by providing them with a car. This program directly addresses transportation needs.
Next Level Church: This church assists explicitly single mothers with free labor for minor auto repairs, recognizing the unique challenges of single-parent households.
Vehicles for a Change
It aims to help families achieve financial stability through car donations and re-entry internship programs. It’s a holistic approach to providing mobility and employment opportunities.
Urban League
It offers indirect financial assistance for various needs, potentially including car-related expenses. This is part of its broader mission to enable economic self-reliance.
Volunteers of America
This national non-profit provides short-term financial aid and resources, potentially for car expenses. It’s a part of their wide range of support services.
Community Action Agencies
These agencies across the U.S. offer help with various needs, including car repairs in some locations. They play a crucial role in local community support.
Working Cars for Working Families
This program assists low-wage working families in obtaining a car. It focuses on distributing cars and making low-interest loans for car purchases.
This includes facilitating matched savings for car down payments and purchases. Over 120 non-profit organizations nationwide are part of this network—Working Cars for Working Families website.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
TANF is a federal assistance program that provides cash to very low-income families for various expenses. Cash payments can be used for car payments. Eligibility and the application process vary by state. To apply for TANF, contact your state’s TANF office.
Cancer Charities – The Pink Fund & Living Beyond Breast Cancer
The Pink Fund provides financial assistance to breast cancer patients, covering essential expenses such as car payments.
Living Beyond Breast Cancer offers similar support. Both organizations have specific eligibility criteria, often related to treatment status and income levels—see the Pink Fund and Living Beyond Breast Cancer websites.
Military & Veterans Charities – Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes & Helping Hands for Freedom
These organizations offer financial assistance, including car payment help, to disabled veterans and military families.
The Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes focuses on veterans who enlisted on or after September 11, 2001. Helping Hands for Freedom caters to veteran families with at least one child at home. Visit the Salute Heroes and Helping Hands for Freedom websites for more information.
Community Action Agencies
These local non-profit organizations provide various assistance forms, including car loan assistance programs.
They offer applications for government grants that assist with car payments and information on low-cost auto loans. To find a community action agency near you, search locally or visit the Community Action Partnership website.
Non-Profit Credit Counseling Agencies
These agencies offer free counseling for low-income clients, help with car payments, negotiate payment plans, and lower interest rates. To find free credit counseling near you, search for certified non-profit credit counseling agencies in your area.
Banks, Credit Unions, Dealerships, and Lenders
Many financial institutions offer auto loan hardship programs, working with borrowers to find payment solutions.
These programs include lowering monthly payments or interest rates, providing deferments, and other support. Contact your loan servicer or lender directly to inquire about available hardship programs.
Churches that Assist with Car Payments
Here are two faith-based organizations that may be able to help with car expenses:
- FAITH Family Assistance Program: This program provides financial assistance for various crises. They may be able to help with car payments or other car-related expenses, offering both immediate and ongoing support.
- Lutheran Faith in Action: This organization focuses on practical support for needy people. In some states, they provide assistance with car repairs.
St. Vincent de Paul Society (SdVP USA)
This Catholic organization assists those in need, including help with car payments for individuals residing within the parish boundaries of an SdVP-affiliated Catholic Church.
The exact contribution provided and the eligibility criteria can vary by location. To seek help, contact the nearest SdVP-affiliated Church. For more information, contact the St. Vincent de Paul USA website.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
This Church provides financial assistance to its members through fast offering donations. The funds are usually reserved for ward members but may help non-members in some situations.
Contact the Relief Society President or Bishop of the congregation in your area for assistance. You can find your nearest community using their Meetinghouse Locator.
How to Qualify for Car Payment Assistance
To qualify for car payment assistance, you’ll typically need to meet specific criteria, which can vary by program. Common requirements include:
- Low income: Most programs assist those with household incomes below a certain percentage of the Federal Poverty Level.
- Employment: Most programs may require you to be employed or actively seeking work.
- Specific circumstances: Some programs prioritize families with children, single parents, veterans, people with disabilities, or those facing hardship.
- Location: Assistance is often limited to residents of specific areas.
Important Note: Each program has its own eligibility rules. Contact the organization directly for the most accurate information.”
Eligibility for Car Payment Assistance
To get car payment assistance, you’ll need to meet specific requirements. These vary by program, but here are some common factors:
- Car ownership: Some programs require owning a car, while others help people acquire one.
- Specific circumstances: Many programs prioritize people facing hardship, like those with medical emergencies, recent job loss, or unexpected financial difficulties.
- Program-specific requirements: Each program has unique requirements. For example, some may require proof of medical needs or military service.
To apply, you’ll generally need to provide documentation such as:
- Tax returns
- Pay stubs
- Employment records
- Proof of residency
- Other relevant documents (may include medical records, military service records, etc.)
Always check with the specific organization for their exact eligibility criteria and required documents.
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