Momma Knows Money » car

Need Grant for Car Payment

John Lindsay — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 08:34:32 +0000

I am the executive director for a non-profit dental program in Victorville, CA and am wondering if you can help me (not the program) in payinhg some of my bills. In particular, a car payment. I use the car for the non-profit and the grants that I have don’t pay for transportation. I know it is lame to ask but what the heck. I am always asking for someone else, why not me now?

Car Repair Assistance in Texas

admin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:09:13 +0000

If your car failed an emissions check, you may qualify for $600 in repair assistance through the AirCheck Texas program. There are participating counties and income requirements, and you can find all those details on the website!

Free Cars and Assistance With Auto Expenses

admin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:00:27 +0000

Charity Cars, Inc., is a 501-C-3 non-profit charity. They provide FREE vehicles as well as financial assistance for tag/title/registration fees, automobile repairs, preventative maintenance items like oil changes, hoses, belts, batteries, brakes, tires, automotive warranty coverage, roadside assistance memberships, and the down-payment for auto insurance or even the down-payment for a new or used vehicle!

They can assist with just about anything automotive related as long as the applicant has completed the application, qualifies, and has made the effort to help themselves and others by spreading the word about FREE Charity Cars.

They award vehicles all across America, even Hawaii and Alaska.

Go to Free Charity Cars to apply

Financial Assistance for Housing and Necessary Expenses

admin — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:43:19 +0000

PRISM’s emergency financial assistance provides 0% interest loans to qualifying families and individuals to cover housing costs and/or other necessary expenses in times of financial crisis.

Eligibility Requirements
PRISM is the Hennepin County-designated provider of financial assistance for the primary service area of Golden Valley, Crystal, New Hope, or Robbinsdale, East of 494 in Plymouth (unless referred by a church). To be eligible for services, families and individuals must:

Have been denied assistance by Hennepin County and,
Be requesting assistance for one of the expenses:
- Rent to avoid eviction
- Deposits for mandatory relocations
- Foreclosure assistance in conjunction with other resources
- Car repairs with estimates from PRISM mechanics
- Car insurance, car payments, other job and education related expenses are assessed on a case by case basis

Get more information

Cash for Clunkers Information

admin — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 17:01:51 +0000

Now that this program has been out for a week or so, let’s take a look at it. This is a federal government program . First of all, of course the government was concerned about running through the initial billion dollar funding within the first week – HELLO?!?! They’re giving away money, of course they’re going to run out. Did they think nobody would show up for a free $4,500?? Who was in charge of running the budget projections on this project? Jeez, no wonder the economy is in turmoil. So now it looks like they’re in the process of approving another 2 billion in funding to continue this obviously popular program.

ANYWAY, the program isn’t quite as simple as showing up with a junky car and driving off with a new one. There are rules of course, so let’s look at the basics to see if you qualify:

Your vehicle must be less than 25 years old on the trade-in date
Only purchase or lease of new vehicles qualify
Generally, trade-in vehicles must get 18 or less MPG (some very large pick-up trucks and cargo vans have different requirements)
Trade-in vehicles must be registered and insured continuously for the full year preceding the trade-in
You don’t need a voucher, dealers will apply a credit at purchase
Program runs through Nov 1, 2009 or when the funds are exhausted, whichever comes first.
The program requires the scrapping of your eligible trade-in vehicle, and that the dealer disclose to you an estimate of the scrap value of your trade-in. The scrap value, however minimal, will be in addition to the rebate, and not in place of the rebate.

And another thing to know, you have to have owned the vehicle for at least one year. You should also be sure that you can really afford the new or leased car. Just because you’re getting a big discount doesn’t mean this might be the best decision for you. Be informed and think it through!!

Go to the CARS website for more information

UPDATE: This government program is ending on Monday, August 24, 2009. No more Cash for Clunkers after that date….

California Smog Check Assistance

admin — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:48:18 +0000

The Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) provides financial assistance for qualified consumers whose vehicles fail their biennial (every-other-year) smog check. The statutory authority for CAP is found in the Health and Safety Code and is implemented through regulations adopted by the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR). Participation in CAP programs is limited to available funds.

How do I qualify for CAP?

CAP offers two options for consumers whose vehicles fail their biennial Smog Check:

Repair Assistance: Qualified consumers can receive financial assistance toward emissions-related repairs to help their vehicles pass their smog check inspection. Approved applicants must take their vehicles to a Gold Shield repair station for repairs. Gold Shield stations are licensed smog check facilities that are independently owned and under contract with the State of California. There are two ways to qualify for repair assistance.
- Income Eligible – Qualified consumers whose household incomes meet the income guidelines (derived from the federal poverty guidelines) can receive financial assistance toward emissions-related repairs. A copayment is required and will be applied toward diagnosis and emission-related repairs. The CAP application includes an income eligibility table to help consumers determine if they meet the income requirements.
- Directed Vehicle Eligible – Certain vehicles are directed to Test Only or Gold Shield stations for their initial smog tests. If your Department of Motor Vehicles registration notice requires a test at a Test Only or Gold Shield station, and your vehicle fails, you may qualify for financial assistance toward emissions-related repairs at a Gold Shield repair station. Test Only stations cannot perform repairs. A copayment is required and will be applied toward diagnosis and emission-related repairs.
Vehicle Retirement: Eligible consumers can receive payment to retire their high-polluting vehicle. There are no income or Directed Vehicle eligibility requirements. Approved applicants must take their vehicle to an authorized dismantler. The vehicle must pass a visual and operational inspection before it is retired.

How do I apply?

You must first submit an application. Do not have any repairs done to your vehicle until you are notified that your application has been approved. If you applied for repair assistance, you will then receive an approval letter and a list of participating Gold Shield stations. If you applied for vehicle retirement, you will receive an approval letter and a list of contracted dismantlers.

Where can I get an application?

You can obtain the CAP application (click to download the application) online or by calling the Department of Consumer Affairs Consumer Information Center at 800-952-5210.

Go directly to website for more information and application