Wheels-for-Work Grants

Wheels for Work grants provide disadvantaged families and individuals with the resources to obtain a reliable vehicle. State agencies or private organizations offer grants, donations or other financial products so low-income individuals can achieve self-sufficiency. Typically, employed applicants or those seeking gainful employment qualify if their incomes don't exceed a set standard.

Wheels for Work programs seek to provide transportation to people who are attempting to secure and keep gainful employment. The programs operate in many states across the nation and have minimum qualification requirements. Typically, applicants must meet the federal poverty level guidelines in order to qualify.

Several states offer Wheels for Work leasing programs. Each state has differing regulations, but the goals of the program remain the same. Some programs offer a zero-percent-interest car loan to low-income families with poor credit histories. For example, Wisconsin's Work 'n Wheels program offers buyers a zero-percent loan which the buyer must repay in 30 months at no more than $135 per month, as of July 2011.

Several programs, such as Pennsylvania's Wheels of Work program, accept donated vehicles from members of the public. The vehicles are reconditioned and donated to a family or sold to recondition other vehicles. As with most programs, applicants must meet income guidelines, which typically requires income below the federal poverty line.

Other Wheels for Work programs offer repairs to families who own disabled vehicles. Typically, a condition of being awarded a repair is having gainful employment. Applicants must provide proof that they do not have the funds available to repair their vehicle and that the vehicle is essential to maintaining employment.