NCLC free car program directory and how to apply
The National Consumer Law Center runs the Working Cars for Working Families project, a long-standing effort to make reliable transportation affordable for people with low incomes. The project is best known for its state by state “Find a Car Program” directory which is a current list of nonprofits that give away vehicles, sell them at very low prices, or arrange fair, low interest auto loans and matched savings. Find more information on how to use the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) Working Cars for Working Families program to find help with an automobile.
A number of conditions will need to be met by applicants and any assistance provided by NCLC, or their local partners, are of course limited. The non-profit is trying to ensure that responsible families are able to obtain a car or truck in order to get to their job, an interview or even fix / repair their car in an affordable way.
How the Working Cars for Working Families project helps people get a vehicle
It is important to understand what NCLC does and does not do. NCLC does not hand out cars, take applications, or resolve individual consumer cases. Each local charity that is part of the Working Cars project may offer their own variation of a transportation assistance program. What National Consumer Law Center does is it maintains tools like the car program directory so you can find a legitimate local provider. It will help families across the nation become economically successful and therefore self-sufficient.
National Consumer Law Center promotes solutions that will help regional non-profit ownership programs in their directory provide transportation to working families in their town or county. Therefore, in partnership with local groups, the Working Cars for Working Families Project will help ensure families get the funds to buy a vehicle or, as noted, some low-income families will be given the car for free.
The free NCLC directory helps. Programs listed there fall into a few models. Each local charity may offer their own variation.
- Some refurbish donated vehicles and transfer them to qualified households either free or for a small, income based price. These programs from NCLC or partners that acquire gently used vehicles. These can be donated to the non-profit by dealers or individuals. The Working Cars for Working Families project partner will then giveaway these automobiles to qualified low income families.
- Some partner with community lenders and credit unions to make low interest loans for used cars. Clients may be able to obtain low interest loans. The financing may also come with discounted rates or special terms. Generally these loans from Working Cars for Working Families or National Consumer Law Center themselves are also available to help individuals with poor credit scores or other financial challenges purchase a vehicle.
- Others help participants save for a down payment with matches from philanthropy or government funds, such as an IDA.
- National Consumer Law Center will also help people find a way to fix a car too. Many low-income families or single parents lack emergency savings to repair their car or truck, and instead of a new vehicle some basic repairs may be done. Read more on low income car repair grants.
The goal across all models of what is offered is the same: safe and affordable transportation that supports steady work. NCLC’s guide for practitioners and its policy pages outline these program designs, including savings matches and fair financing, and explain why reliable cars are a lifeline for employment.
NCLC researches the market, fights predatory auto sales and finance practices, and maintains tools like the car program directory so you can find a legitimate local provider. If you need to reach NCLC for general information, the Boston headquarters is at 7 Winthrop Square, Boston, MA 02110, phone 617-542-8010, but they direct consumers to the directory and to legal aid rather than processing applications themselves
Get access to transportation from the NCLC Working Cars for Working Project
NCLC knows that a reliable and safe car is critical to the long success of most working individuals and families. Without access to transportation someone who is currently employed may not be able to access child care, job training, medical appointments, or other critical needs. So by families being able to acquire either a new or low cost automobile, this will help ensure these tasks can be addressed.
The Working Cars for Working Families project also focusing on helping people that lack public transportation. In many rural communities, or major inner cities, families often did not live close to a bus route, subway, train station or other mass transit and those individuals need a vehicle to get to their job. Working Cars for Working Families, and their local non-profit partners, also helps those people get a vehicle due to the lack of other affordable and accessible transportation.
- To help put this into context, about 60% of residents in metropolitan areas live in the suburbs. In addition, about 65% of those are located in the suburbs of major cities. So almost 90% of people drive to their jobs. However, for those low-income rural or residents who live in the center of a city, and maybe who don’t own a car, they become isolated from those suburban job opportunities.
- People from the cities find themselves living further away from those employment and economic opportunities. So having a car is critical for them, as relying on mass transit is usually not the best option due to schedule, lack of direct routes, and time of travel, among other factors.
Each local organization sets its own rules as to who qualifies, but the common thread is financial need and a practical reason for the vehicle, such as commuting to a job, attending training, or transporting a family member to needed medical care.
- Many programs ask for proof of income, a valid license, and the ability to pay ongoing costs like insurance, registration, and maintenance.
- Some require attendance at a budgeting or car ownership class before a transfer or loan is approved.
These features are typical of the models NCLC highlights for strong car ownership programs. Always check the specific requirements of the agency you contact through the directory. 
How to apply to the Working Cars project?
Each free car program (or financing) coordinated by Working Cars for Working Families project is local. As noted, the assistance provided is also targeted so that individuals can gain new skills or a higher earning job and another benefit is it will also help build strong economies and healthy communities.
Start on NCLC’s “Find a Car Program” page (website here https://www.nclc.org/find-a-car-program/) and select your state. You will see the names and contact details of nonprofits serving your area. Reach out directly to the local provider to ask about current availability, waitlists, appointment times, and the documents they need. The process varies to get a vehicle varies.
- Because inventory and funding change frequently, applications are usually handled only by the local nonprofit and not through NCLC itself. If you have a car to donate, the same directory lists donation contacts to route your vehicle to a program that will keep it affordable for a working family.
If the program from a Working Cars for Working Families partner offers free vehicles for work, expect an inspection process and a clear explanation of any small fees or taxes due at transfer. In general, of course all cars or trucks given out will be refurbished - not new.
If the project partner program offers loans to help buy for a car or truck (or to fix one), expect a budget review and underwriting centered on affordability rather than maximizing interest charges. There is even some access to financing for people that currently lack a job or need the car before they can work, so there is information on local programs that give a car loan with no job.
- NCLC’s auto sales and finance advocacy spotlights harmful practices such as add-ons you did not agree to, yo-yo financing, and markups that target buyers with lower incomes; legitimate programs in the directory are designed to avoid these traps. If you shop outside a nonprofit, compare any dealer offer with a preapproved loan from a bank or credit union before you sign anything.
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