There are several programs offering free cars for single moms. The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a think-tank in Washington, D.C., vouched for donating cars because of “spatial mismatch” existing between many low-income people and the location of their workplace. This effect is compounded when single mothers responsible for their children is put into perspective.
Various studies on the efficacy of programs giving away free cars for single moms have shown that the beneficiaries are more likely to find and hold on to their jobs. The studies link to the better time management of single mothers, thanks to their personal mode of transport.
Single mothers, Low-income families, Students, etc. are all beneficiaries of government programs to get a new or used car. Donating cars are based on some criteria in which one’s credit score is certainly not a part of it. This guide on the programs offering free cars for single moms covers a holistic view on various programs offered government, charities, nonprofit organizations and how to make the best use of grants for cars offered by them.
Where to Start Looking for Free Cars for Single Moms?
A single mother hardly makes enough money as that of two earning members in a family. Public transport is not favorable all the time, especially for commuters with children. Getting a car on their own is difficult for low-income groups and most single mothers fall under this category. Thanks to the government-supported programs, programs run by several; nonprofit organizations offering free cars for single moms, owning a car is made easy and highly affordable.
While public transport is in the maturing phase, not every work, especially for single moms, is possible without a reliable means of personal transport. Free cars being offered to single moms come to the rescue here.
There are ways to be eligible for free cars for single mothers, however, finding such programs for single mothers can be tricky and so here is a comprehensive list of charity programs that donate cars to single mothers.
Free Car for a Single Moms – Charity Programs to Get a Free Car
Here is a list of charity programs for single mom free cars.
- freecharitycars.org
- Womenwithdrive.org
- Vehicles for Change
- Wheels4Hope.org
- Extendedfamily.org
- 1-800 Charity cars
- Good News Garage
- Working Cars for Working Families
Let’s have a brief detail about each program.
- FreeCharityCars.org: It is perhaps one of the most popular sites for finding free cars. The entire process of getting a car for single moms is easy. Start by creating a free account on the website. Share your story or purpose of getting a free car. If the shared story is genuine, it gets upvotes from fellow participants. The logic is simple, more the number of votes on the story, more is the chance of moving top in the waiting list in getting a free car. The recipient, who is a single mom here, is selected based on votes and individual situations of the aspirants of that locality.
- Womenwithdrive.org: Women with drive programs are only available in Chicago and its surrounding areas, but the site accepting free car requests from other areas too. Eligible candidates for free cars are required to make a two-year commitment to the program in exchange for the vehicle.
- Vehicles for Change: The Vehicles for Change program is available in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia. The program has been running since 1999 and has helped over 5,190 families and single moms get a free car. Cars received by single moms under this program costs around $750. It comes with a low-interest guaranteed loan.
- Wheels4hope.org: Donated vehicles are refurbished and sold to eligible recipients with a warranty of 6-months. The recipients are required to pay around $500 as a part of admin charges. The program offers cars for free apart for the sale to the general public in order to cover the program costs. Such cars for single moms are valued at around $2,000 to $4,000 dollars.
- Extendedfamily.org: Apart from providing cars at no or minimal cost to single mothers, this NGO helps provide clothing, housing, medicine, and transportation services.
- 1-800 Charity Cars: Provides free vehicles to a larger section of low-income families. One of its successful campaigns includes free cars.
- Good News Garage: Programs offering free car are active in Massachusetts, New Hamshire and Vermont, although the eligibility criteria may differ from one and other.
- Working Cars for Working Families: Operating out of Kansas City and Belton, they ensure that applicants get a fair deal when buying or financing a car.
US Government Provides Support for Free Cars for Single Moms
The US government is open to financially support and provide free cars to single moms. The government set-asides a certain sum of money from its budget each year on social programs for single mothers in need of a car.
Single moms happen to be the largest beneficiaries of the Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) program run by the government. It was since the early 1990s that the culture of donating used cars to charity gained traction for many wealthy Americans. In fact, the support from the federal government ensured that the IRS allows such donors to claim a tax deduction on their service.
All types of charity organizations and Non-profit organizations have immensely benefitted from such support from the government. As more and more states started to implement this policy, more single mothers got free cars thereby improving the TANF recipients’ access to transportation.
These programs for single mothers in need of a car matches the donated and refurbished vehicles with eligible recipients. Some donated cars are given outright to eligible recipients, while others benefit through generous loans with minimum or no interest intended for the purchase of the vehicle.
The government provides different types of grants for single mothers such as grants for home buying, grants for starting a business, grants for education, etc. to help them economically and socially. Among them, the grants offering free cars to single mothers is one of the popular grants programs. Find out more by contacting your local social welfare and grants office. A similar form of grants is made available by Nonprofit Organisations to single moms to buy a car.
Programs Offering Free Cars for Single Mothers Vary Across the States
Although the tax deduction rule for donating a car to charity is applicable in all 50 states, not every state has programs offering free cars to single moms.
Car donation programs for single moms exist in several states, including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, and Virginia, although the quantum and magnitude of the programs may vary. Every state has varying eligibility criteria for awarding free cars to single moms.
Usually, TANF recipients, here the single mothers, reach out to the concerned agencies. The application is endorsed by a welfare caseworker known to the applicant to make a successful bid for free cars for single moms.
Here is a comprehensive summary of available programs for single mothers in need of a car :
| DuPage County, Illinois | It offers donated cars to eligible recipients endorsed by the state welfare caseworker. However, the recipient is required to pay for the registration and title of vehicles. The program is supported by a private foundation. |
| Kansas program | TANF funds are put to use to offer a free car to a single mom. |
| North Carolina’s Wheels-to-Work program | It is a program offering grants for cars. Alternatively, donated cars are given to recipients for two years after which the recipients own the car. |
| Arizona program | The donated vehicles are given to a state contractor. The agency scouts for eligible recipients to lease cars for a period of one year. |
| Colorado program | TANF funds are used to buy or repair cars before donating them to eligible recipients. |
Options other than federal grants for cars include services from local community or loan programs from the state government. Many car programs including free cars offered to single mothers come with low-interest loans even with a bad credit profile.
If none of the above ways to get grants for cars works successfully, the applicant may try to attend car auctions held by local garages from time-to-time. Such refurbished cars affordable and may fit in your budget.
Eligibility for Free Cars for Single Mothers
While the eligibility requirements for grants for cars varies from individual programs, there are some basic criteria to be fulfilled by the concerned applicant, such as:
- Eligible for a motor vehicle license
- Reputed job or holding a legitimate job offer
- Must meet all the income requirements set by the concerned program offering free cars.
- Ability to pay for insurance
- Should not be owning any other vehicle
- No serious criminal record in the past
Auto Insurance Coverage on Cars Owned by Single Moms
Life becomes even more precious when someone else is dependent on you. Such is the case of single moms who is also responsible for the protection and safety of her child. The idea of getting insurance eases down the pressure of protecting oneself as well as your dependent. It really comes in handy in times of unfortunate situations. Otherwise also, getting insurance for car owners is mandatory in almost every state of the U.S.
There is no special discount on auto insurance coverage on a car owned by a single mom. The cheapest and the best insurance services for free cars for single moms start at around $130. Depending on one’s profile, the insurance service providers may offer discounts on the same.
However, standard auto insurance coverage on a car includes Liability coverage, Collision coverage, Personal injury protection, Rental car reimbursement, Roadside service, Free towing and many more.
The need for transportation and various programs run by the government, nonprofit organizations, charities are discussed at length in the above guide on free cars for single moms. Now it is up to the profile of a single mother needing a car to make the best use of the opportunity offered by several agencies across the country.
What is the program in Arizona called?
Is there a website or phone number?
The same thing you can search in Arizona as well.
Just activate your device location and then search for “Free Car for Single Mother” or relevant terms on the Internet. You will get the list of Charity Programs if there are any.
Please need car for work
Have you proceed the steps given above?
How can I fill out the application for a car
When you will go to the particular NGO’s website or the Free Charity Program’s page, you will get the details to provide for getting a Free Car.
My name is Ted and i am with SVdP Blairsville, GA. Asking how to apply for a client who is a single mom with 2 children (girl 5 yrs old and infant 7 weeks).
On maternity leave now but she is also low income.
My contact information is below.
Hi Ted,
So in this situation, you first need to cross-check for all the documents which required to get a car.
Once you met the eligibility also, you can contact to the NGO’s who are running Charity Programs for providing a Free Vehicle.
If everything is fine, you will get the car in a few days only.
I’m a single dad and I hate saying it, but I need help. I have 2 kids 14 and 11.
I live in Georgia. Can someone please help in pointing me in the right direction?
I need help please..
Hi Kris,
Can you please let us know – What help do you expect?
If it is related to a free car, then better to search such organisations who are working hard to provide it in your locations.
Hi, I’m a single mom of 3 children trying to make ends meet. I’m having some financial problems, really in need of a reliable car to transport myself to school as well as my children if someone could help me out with a vehicle that would be appreciated.
Have you discussed with the organisations listed above?
If not yet, then ask them as soon as possible.
Even you can find other list of charity programs who are nearby your location.
They will definitely going to provide a car for your convenience.
I’m a mother of 5 need a van or SUV
You can query to the NGO’s listed above.
They would definitely help you to provide a free car.
Hey my is Telisha Collins l need Help l am a single mom of 2 kids l am a having a hard time and l need some help l am a Diabetes and l have Seizures l have to get my medical l pay all my bill by myself l get Disability l been save to get a car for me and my kids but something always take my money if you can help me and my baby’s l will love that Thank you.
Is there a program in Florida
You can check with https://www.honorboundfoundation.org/, https://hstc1.org/ or other organizations.
Hi Telisha!
Thanks for sharing your concern. We can understand, how crucial is it to get your own car.
So, in that case, we would suggest to search your nearby NGO’s or even online. And then ask them if they are running the campaign for providing a Free Car for mother.
You would definitely get it.
My name is Beatrice am in kenya am as ingle mother of two daughters and a grandson n my younger daugghter is still in high school but i cant pay for her been working as a maid earning very low income but i lot my job now am stressed not knowing how am going to provide for them my 3yr old granson cries for food me i dont need a car i dont even know how to drive all i need is financial assistence ,living in a one roomed house sleeping on the floor thats all a can a fford please help me i feel i have failed my daughters any amount i will appreciate thank you God bless you.
Hi Beatrice!
We understand how crucial time is it for you.
To get some financial support, we would suggest you to search some nearby NGO’s. They would definitely help you to get the essential facility to survive.
You can even ask them for the work. So that you can make an earning source to bear you all expanses.
I would like to be involved..I’m a long time Auto finance manager with years of experience in the auto industry.
I live in North Carolina would love to volunteer or start a chapter here in Raleigh .
Hello, I am a single mom and deeply struggling. I currently have a death trap of a car currently but do not feel safe driving it to work let alone my 5yr old to school, dr apts etc. do you know of any organizations in or near Indiana? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
The best way to search for the available free car donors at your place is, just open google Map and search there “Free Car Program near me” or “Free Car Charity near me”.
You can search for these similar terms to get the details of those organisations who are offering such services near you.
And then you can contact them for further process.
My name is Brittany and I’m a struggling single mom of three. Almost 2 years ago I left my very toxic and abusive relationship with nothing but my children. He doesn’t help at all financially. Having to start from scratch was hard but we managed to somehow make it work except for being able to save up for a car. We live in Louisiana and I was wondering if you knew of anyone in my state that could help me get a car, or a program somewhere else that will help. My sister who has been driving us wherever we needed to go has told me I need to get a car soon because she can’t keep doing this once they move and I have no other family that would be willing to help till I have enough money saved.which is much considering I’m working on starting my own housekeeping company and don’t have a lot of clients. If I lose those I do have, I won’t be able to provide for and support my children. Please help me
Hi Brittany,
It’s better to contact some nearby charity programs. For sure, they will help in this bad situation.
You can either contact them by finding their number in mobile or fill up the contact form on their website.
Have a good luck!
To Whom it may concern,
I am a single mom and domestic violence survivor with a 10 year old daughter at home. We had a vehicle when myself and my daughter got out of a horrible situation we were living in and ended up at the YWCA in Dayton Ohio at the end of February of last year. Just before the YWCA had gotten us an apartment our vehicle had bitten the dust and we haven’t been mobile since. I had to with no other choice but to give up my last job due to car issues before my car actually bit the dust. Getting around has not been so easy as it comes to getting to places of importance or enjoyment, such as doctors visit, school functions, trying to make it to job interviews, going to grocery stores, museums and so on. I have been trying to find a job so that we can start over again close to home, but it has proven to be almost impossible. Most of the decent paying jobs that are above minimum wage are a distance away from where myself and my daughter live at this present time. Due to riding on the public transportation system this has become an impossible task with knowing how far and how long it takes to get to most of these places and how long it takes to get home. In most cases I have found that it can take up to an hour and half to get to many companies by bus. But having a vehicle it may only take up to 20 mins or less depending on the company. Wanting and trying to visit family isn’t easy either. Most of our family lives not very close to us and trying to see them is not very feasible at all. The public transportation system doesn’t even run in country areas or even families out of state or different areas in our state that are too far for the buses to go. If you all could please help us having a vehicle would make life less stressful and much easier to manage. As well as improving life and happiness. To be able to start life over again and a better life than before. Having a vehicle would definitely put us on the right path.
Hi Shauna,
We are very sorry to hear your situation.
Did you ask to the above-listed charity program organizers that whether currently they have the Free Car Donation scheme?
Just try to contact them or if possible then you can visit their office. They would definitely help you in owning a car.
I’m a single mom and my daughter is 5 months old. Desperately needing a car to get her back and forth to dr appt or anything with her. I have had job offers and can’t take them because i can’t get to the job with no car. Please im really trying and it’s so hard being a single mom. Im really trying for my daughter trying to make a better life for her. I live in Middletown ohio but just need a little bit of help
Please check your eligibility and then contact on the website of freecharitycars.org, Womenwithdrive.org, Vehicles for Change, Wheels4Hope.org or other NGO’s who are helping Single Mother for providing a Free Car.