Grant for Car Repairs for African Americans

Owning a car can be expensive. Not only does it tend to cost a lot to purchase a car, but then there is registration, gas, and insurance that will keep you paying for it over time. Then when something goes wrong there is the added expense of getting repairs. Sometimes repairs cost more than people have and it could leave them unable to have transportation. The good news is that some people may be able to get a grant for car repairs. For African Americans and others who are struggling financially it is a good idea to review the options.

The average cost of a car repair is estimated to be between $300 and $500. This number is quickly climbing, too, as the costs rise along with the inflation of everything else. It is not unheard of for people to get car repair bills that are $1,000 or even $2,000 or more. Those who have a low income will need to find a way to help pay for the cost of the repairs and it is wise to see if there are grants that can help cover the fees.

Car Repair Grants

A grant is something you do not have to ever pay back. This is unlike a loan, because those you have to pay back at some point. If you are able to get a grant to help pay for car repairs you won’t have to worry about paying it back at any time. That’s the good thing. However, it is not always easy to find car repair grants. They are not as easy to come by as some other sources of help. This doesn’t mean you can’t find them though, you may just have to contact several places to find one that can help.

Check out these options below for finding a grant for car repairs or being able to obtain a referral for one:

211 – This is a referral service that you can call to get help with a variety of situations. You can call them at 211 or visit their website and let them know the type of assistance you need. They can go through their database to see if there are local resources that can help with your situation. Their referral service is free to use and is open to everyone in the country. No matter what type of assistance you need they have local referrals they can provide to you. To learn more about their service and get assistance from them, click here.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – This is a program that provides cash assistance to those who need it and meet the qualifications. To qualify for the TANF grants you have to have a low income and be a citizen or legal non-citizen. The amount you receive is determined by how many dependents you have. There is a time limit on how many months you can receive this type of grant. Typically, you can get a TANF grant for a lifetime of five years. You will have to show your income and disclose your assets. If you are approved, the cash grant can be used for any type of living expenses, including to get your car repaired. This is a federal program that is available in all 50 states and U.S. territories. To get more information about the program and apply, click here.

Catholic Charities – This organization has locations around the country. They serve to help people in the communities where they are located. The services they provide vary slightly by location, so you have to contact one near you to see if they will provide assistance getting your car repaired. If the vehicle is used to get to and from your job they may decide to help you, so that you don’t lose your job. They are a faith-based organization, but they do not require you to be religious to receive assistance. To get more information and find a location near you, click here.

Community Action Agency – This organization is located in Florida and they serve people who need assistance. They provide numerous types of services, with one of them being to help people cover the cost of minor car repairs. They do this because they try to help people to be self sufficient, and having a running car is the only way that some people can stay employed. Otherwise they wouldn’t have transportation to and from their job. To get more information about their grants for minor car repairs, click here.

Salvation Army – This organization has many locations around the country. They have helpful programs to provide assistance to people who need food, shelter, clothing, etc. They may also help with grants for minor car repairs. They are a faith-based organization, but they do not expect you to be religious to get assistance from them. To get help, contact a location near you to see if they help with car repair grants. If they do not, perhaps they can provide you with a referral to a local place that does. To find a location near you, click here.

In addition to these places above, your local churches are also good resources. Contact them to see if they help with covering the cost of minor car repairs or if they know of a place that does. Many will help people who need their car to get to work and be self sufficient, especially if you have children in the home you are providing for.

Another option is to call around to some local auto repair shops. Discuss the situation with them to see if any have any grant programs to help with the repairs. Some may allow you to make payments, or there may be some that do some minor repairs for no charge, just to give back and help people in the community. You won’t know if they will help you with this without contacting them to see if they can help you out. They may also know of some local grant programs to help cover the costs.

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