Are There Grants Available To Help Purchase A Used Vehicle?

There is no dearth of websites claiming they can help people secure grants to purchase vehicles. Unfortunately, many of these sites are scams designed to take your hard-earned money. That isn't to say, though, that there aren't any programs available to help you purchase a used vehicle. Here are two places to look for financial assistance.

State Grant Programs

The federal government does sometimes set aside money to help people purchase big ticket items like vehicles. However, it typically gives this money to local and state agencies to parse as they see fit. Therefore, the first place you should for payment assistance is with the social service agency in your state. You can find the contact information for the department that your state on the American Public Human Services Association website. If the agency doesn't have a specific auto grant program, you may still qualify for some help with paying utilities and other bills, which may free up money to purchase the used vehicle your family needs to get around.

Another option is to do a Google search for government-funded vehicle pilot programs. In an effort to get inefficient vehicles off the road that contribute to pollution, some states are offering grants to low-income families to get them to upgrade to more fuel-efficient vehicles. For instance, under the California Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program and Plus-Up Pilot Project, a family can receive up to $12,000 to purchase a vehicle if they meet income requirements and take certain actions. Different states will have different offers and qualification requirements, but it's worth the effort to do the research.

Non-Profit Organizations

Another place you want to look for financial assistance with purchasing a vehicle is at non-profit organizations geared towards helping people get back on their feet. Like with state government programs, you may receive money for the vehicle or assistance with other bills that can help free up enough money in your budget to make the purchase.

A good place to start your search is at the Community Transportation Association of America website. They have a state-by-state list of organizations that provide some auto buying assistance. You may also want to call around to the non-profit organizations in your local area to see if they provide assistance or can at least point you in the right direction.

Getting help purchasing a used vehicle will take some persistence and creative thinking. Once you get the funds together, contact your local dealership for a good deal on a used car or truck. To learn more about purchasing a used car, contact a company like Star Auto Mall LLC


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