How to Get a Free Car

Based on where you live, having a car is a must.

It’s hard to get to work, school, or raise children without a secure and dependable car. And in a number of places, public transportation is not accessible, affordable, or dependable, creating a car the only plausible way to go around.

A lot of people, like unmarried mothers, low-income employees, and disabled individuals, find themselves needing a car but not able to afford one. Luckily, there are organizations that recognize this and attempt to bridge the gap by giving away free cars.

Does the Government Have Free Vehicle Programs?

There are lots of government grants and programs available to help protect your basic needs in the event that you can not provide for yourself or your loved ones. Regrettably, there is not a means to get a free car from the authorities. You will want to go through private charities, organizations, or people to find one.

Despite the fact that you can not get a free car from the authorities, you can get assistance with food, health care, housing, and, sometimes, financial support. Help covering these principles may free up space in your budget to save for your next automobile, particularly if you’re able to get a grant to help offset the price or locate special financing for low-income families.

If you are on government assistance, then you want to be careful. Obtaining a free car could count as”extra income” and make you ineligible for government assistance. You don’t need to get disqualified out of your house or food assistance, so assess the income and asset rules and regulations for those applications before accepting a free vehicle.

Charities That Donate Vehicles to Disabled or Low-Income Individuals

When these organizations get thousands of applications annually, and you do need to demonstrate financial need to qualify for one, if you do, it can make a big difference in your financial situation. Check the eligibility requirements of each organization and do some research to find the one which is the best match for your needs.

1. Cars4Heroes

Cars4Heroes is a 501(c)(3) which offers free used cars to first responders, military veterans, and their families that can not obtain transport for themselves. To apply, you want to complete an application with information including your years of service, the branch of the military or first responder you served in, why you will need the car, and a few other personal information.

Once you apply, your application is kept on file for three decades, so in the event you don’t get one on your first attempt, you may at a later date.

2. Cars4Christmas

Cars4Christmas is run by the exact men and women who run Cars4Heroes, but it provides basic and free transport to all individuals instead of military veterans and first responders. The organization helps individuals whose lives are turned upside down by sickness, death, tragedy, disability, as well as natural disasters.

They get over 20,000 applications annually, and give away around 20 vehicles, dependent on donations. Despite the fact that the odds are slim that you be given a car through this business, it is still worth applying. You may get connected to a private donor that takes an interest in your story or find links to a different organization that can assist you with a vehicle.

3. 800-Charity Cars

1-800-Charity functions with FreeCharityCars to give know how to  get free cars from government to people in need. The former concentrates on accepting donated cars and increasing the funds to offer free cars to people in need while the latter is where those searching for a car can employ.

FreeCharityCars is overwhelmed with applications rather than accepting new ones, but check their site periodically to see when software open again. However, for those seeking to donate a car, you can still do that. 1-800-Charity provides free towing and be certain 100% of the contributions go towards helping people.

Cars that don’t work will be sold or fixed to working state and given away.

4. OnlineCarDonation.org

Part of This WithCauses.org network, Online Car Donation is Just Another charity providing free cars to People in need, including:

• Domestic violence victims
• Individuals with disabilities
• Homeless families living in shelters
• Families Seeking to become self-supporting (getting off government assistance)
• Military families and veterans
• Other non-profit organizations

Their application process is straightforward. You just have to offer some basic biographical information and a description of your requirement. Once you submit your application, it’s reviewed by their employees who also examine the available inventory to ascertain whether they can help.

If you’re selected for a free vehicle, you’ll be contacted within 30 days. If you don’t hear from them, they encourage you to reapply.

5. OnlineCarDonation.com

Online Car Donation intends to give free cars to as many families and people in need as possible. If you need a free used vehicle that’s dependable, this is a excellent option. They also attempt to give away trucks or trucks, and are sometimes able to offer modified vehicles for people with special needs.

You may apply for a free car online, and they ask that you complete the application as completely as possible so that they can make the best determination. They’ll inform you within 30 days of receiving your application if you had been chosen. If you don’t hear from them, they ask that you don’t call and instead use again to be reconsidered.

6. Vehicles for Change

Vehicles for Change is a charity which associates with social service agencies to assist individuals that are on the path to self-sufficiency but want a car to gain access to job opportunities.

If You Wish to apply for a given car, the company has a lengthy list of requirements that includes:

• Using a verifiable job offer or working at least 30 hours a week
• Using a driver’s license in the country where you live
• No DWIs or DUIs in your driving record
• Ability to Pay for the ongoing cost of car ownership (insurance, fuel, repairs, etc.)
• Ability to pay the fees such as taxes, tags, and name

Vehicles for Change also operates a car award program for people that are members of the spouse social service and job readiness bureaus. The program provides vehicles to qualifying low-income households and promises low-interest loans. Note that you can’t use for this program; your caseworker or cooperating agency must apply on your behalf.

If you reside in the states they associate with (Maryland, Virginia, and Michigan), take some time to explore the connections on the Vehicles for Change website. They list several additional choices for locating a free or inexpensive car in those regions.

7. Good News Garage

Great News Garage is just another location-specific alternative for finding free automobiles, serving those in need in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. If you’re considering their state-funded Wheels to Work programs, you will want to check with every nation’s criteria to determine if you qualify.

They also operate a JumpStart program to provide”refurbished, donated vehicles to qualified working people at an affordable, subsidized cost,” and it was made to help people who don’t qualify for Wheels to Work. Regrettably, JumpStart isn’t accepting new applications at this time, but it is possible to periodically check the site to determine if they have opened up the application procedure.

Additionally, they offer an”Other Transportation Resources” page, which shares links to other businesses that can help you find free or inexpensive transportation choices.

8. Working Cars for Working Families

Run by the National Consumer Law Center, Working Cars for Working households strives to make sure that working families”can get, keep, and use a dependable car at acceptable terms.” They collaborate with a range of different organizations to enhance public policy, data collection, and encourage nonprofits that assist struggling families secure transport.

They’ve a searchable database you may use to locate programs in your area which may be able to supply you with a free or low-cost automobile. You’ll have to examine the needs of each program to discover whether you’re eligible and what the application process looks like.

Other Ways to Get a Free Car

If you do not fulfill the standards for the charities above, you may want to get creative in the way you end up a car. These options will ask you to escape your comfort zone and ask people in your area or people nearest to you for support.

9. Contact your local church

Many local churches have a line item in their budget for benevolence and might be one way to get a free car today. Churches have helped individuals whose houses have flooded, roofs have caved in, cars have stopped working, or for members that are down on their luck.

This option will work best in case you’ve been involved with the church before coming to them in need. If you also require free clothing or assist with utilities or food, the neighborhood church can likely help you.

10. Request a donation from a local dealer

Local dealerships typically don’t donate automobiles directly to people, but you could get lucky if they have an older version or a trade-in that they think will sell. If you are facing hard times, consider writing a letter to the manager of the local dealership describing your circumstances.

Consider doing this at the end of the year during the holiday season when people are feeling more charitable. The dealership may be more open to helping you out, especially if you’re willing to talk about your story publicly.

11. Find a job that provides a car

Although you may need to do a little hunting, there are tasks that will offer you a vehicle, and a few of those might allow you to use it for personal reasons. Jobs like service tech, in-the-field social worker, cable and utility employee, and truck or delivery driver are options to think about.

Should you find a job with this perk, be certain that you check with your employer about their principles for individual use. Find out if you’re able to take the vehicle out of state, who is responsible for regular maintenance, gas and tolls, and if you are permitted to have passengers.

12. Ask friends and family for assistance

If you’re having difficulty finding a free car from charities or social service agencies, think about asking your family and friends for assistance. It may be a huge request to ask people you know for a free car, but they might be able to loan you a car or sell you one for a minimal price.

If you are handy, you may even offer to fix up a person’s old car in exchange for them selling it to you at a lesser cost.

13. Check Craigslist

People often try to eliminate old, broken-down vehicles on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Many times it is more work or not worth the time for them to sell to a dealer, but a private sale can net them a couple hundred bucks. If you are great with cars or know someone who’s that can help you, this could be one way to find a free or cheap used car.

If the car is totally unsalvageable, you could always sell it for parts or scrap metal and put that money towards a car. Just be certain you will get more than you pay before considering this option.

14. Check Goodwill

When most folks think of Goodwill, they think of clothing, books, or baby things. But, people are also able to donate their old cars. You may telephone your local Goodwill to determine if they have any available or take a look at their car auction stock.

Throughout the online auction, you can live anywhere in the country and buy a car from Goodwill. You’ll have to arrange transportation to pick up the vehicle you purchase; they don’t ship or transport automobiles to you.

15. Start a GoFundMe

GoFundMe is another choice for purchasing a car for cheap. If you feel comfortable, share your story about how you ended up on tough times. Emphasize how purchasing a car, or getting a free car, can help you start fresh. Be honest about the automobile’s effect on your life, but do not stretch the truth. You don’t need to take advantage of people’s generosity.

You may also post a request for gifts and grants on websites like ModestNeeds.org. Be certain that you examine their eligibility requirements thoroughly before submitting an application.

A Free Used Car Could Change Your Financial Situation 

When you have fallen on hard times financially, it can often feel as if you’re stuck in a cycle. You do not have the money to get a car, and without a car, you can not get to work. You are stuck in a loop.

Finding a cheap or free automobile might be the solution you want. With a little bit of research and hard work, you may find a free car which can help break the cycle and change your financial position. The jobs which were once out of reach become possible using a motor vehicle.

But bear in mind that a free car is not truly free. There might be parts you will need to fix or refurbish. Furthermore, be certain you’ve got cash to cover essentials like auto insurance, correctly registering the car, routine vehicle maintenance, and last, money for gas and tolls.

The last thing you need is to find a car but have no way to keep it operating.