It’s difficult to get to work, school, or raise children without a safe and dependable vehicle. And in many areas, public transportation isn’t available, affordable, or reliable, making a car the only plausible way to get around.

Many people, like single moms, low-income workers, and disabled individuals, find themselves needing a car but unable to afford one. Fortunately, there are organizations that recognize this and try to bridge the gap by giving away free cars.

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Does the Government Have Free Vehicle Programs?

There are a number of government programs and grants available to help cover your basic needs if you can’t provide for yourself or your family. Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to get a free car from the government. You’ll need to go through private charities, organizations, or individuals to find one.

Even though you can’t get a free car from the government, you can receive assistance with food, healthcare, housing, and, in some cases, financial support. Help covering these basics may free up room in your budget to save for your next vehicle, especially if you’re able to get a grant to help offset the cost or find special financing for low-income households.  

If you are on government assistance, then you need to be careful. Receiving a free car could count as “additional income” and make you ineligible for government support. You don’t want to get disqualified from your food or housing assistance, so check the income and asset rules and regulations for those programs before accepting a free car. 

Related: 25 Programs to Get Free Money from the Government

Charities That Donate Vehicles to Disabled or Low-Income Individuals

While these organizations receive thousands of applications a year, and you do have to demonstrate financial need to qualify for one, if you do, it can make all the difference in your financial situation. Check the eligibility requirements of each organization and do some research to find the one that is the best fit for your needs. 

1. Cars4Heroes

Cars4Heroes is a 501(c)(3) that provides free used cars to first responders, military veterans, and their families who can’t obtain transportation for themselves. To apply, you need to fill out an application with information including your years of service, the branch of the military or first responder you served in, why you need the car, and some other personal information. 

After you apply, your application is kept on file for three years, so if you don’t receive one on your first try, you might at a later date. 

Related: 26 Practical Ways to Make $500 Fast

2. Cars4Christmas

Cars4Christmas is operated by the same people who operate Cars4Heroes, but it provides free and basic transportation to all individuals rather than exclusively military veterans and first responders. The organization helps people whose lives have been turned upside down by illness, death, tragedy, disability, and even natural disasters.

They receive over 20,000 applications per year, and give away around 20 vehicles, based on donations. Even though the odds are slim for you to receive a car through this organization, it’s still worth applying. You might get connected to a private donor who takes an interest in your story or find connections to another organization that can help you with a car.

3. 800-Charity Cars

1-800-Charity works with FreeCharityCars to provide free cars to people in need. The former focuses on accepting donated cars and raising the funds to provide free cars to people in need while the latter is where those looking for a car can apply.

FreeCharityCars is currently overwhelmed with applications and not accepting new ones, but check their website periodically to see when applications open again. However, for those looking to donate a car, you can still do that. 1-800-Charity offers free towing and make sure that 100% of the donations go towards helping people.

Cars that don’t work will be sold or repaired to working condition and given away.

4. OnlineCarDonation.org

Part of the WithCauses.org network, Online Car Donation is another charity providing free cars to those in need, including: 

• Domestic violence victims
• People with disabilities
• Homeless families living in shelters
• Families trying to become self-supporting (getting off government assistance)
• Military families and veterans
• Other non-profit organizations

Their application process is simple. You only need to provide some basic biographical information and a description of your need. After you submit your application, it is reviewed by their staff who also look at the available inventory to determine if they can help.

If you are selected for a free car, you will be contacted within 30 days. If you do not hear from them, they encourage you to reapply. 

5. OnlineCarDonation.com

Online Car Donation aims to provide free cars to as many people and families in need as possible. If you want a free used car that is reliable, this is a great option. They also try to give away trucks or vans, and are sometimes able to provide modified vehicles for those with special needs.

You can apply for a free car online, and they request that you fill out the application as completely as possible so they can make the best determination. They will notify you within 30 days of receiving your application if you were selected. If you do not hear from them, they ask that you do not call and instead apply again to be reconsidered. 

6. Vehicles for Change

Vehicles for Change is a charity that partners with social service agencies to help those who are on the road to self-sufficiency but need a vehicle to gain access to job opportunities. 

If you want to apply for a donated car, the organization has a lengthy list of requirements that includes: 

• Having a verifiable job offer or working at least 30 hours a week
• Having a driver’s license in the state in which you reside
• No DWIs or DUIs on your driving record
• Ability to afford the ongoing cost of car ownership (insurance, fuel, repairs, etc.)
• Ability to cover the fees for taxes, tags, and title

Vehicles for Change also operates a car award program for those who are members of their partner social service and job readiness agencies. The program provides vehicles to qualifying low-income families and guarantees low-interest loans. Note that you cannot apply for this program; your caseworker or cooperating agency must apply on your behalf. 

If you live in the states they partner with (Maryland, Virginia, and Michigan), take some time to explore the links on the Vehicles for Change website. They list a number of additional options for finding a free or cheap car in those areas. 

7. Good News Garage

Good News Garage is another location-specific option for finding free cars, serving those in need in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. If you’re interested in their state-funded Wheels to Work programs, you’ll need to check with each state’s criteria to see if you qualify. 

They also operate a JumpStart program to provide “refurbished, donated vehicles to qualified working individuals at an affordable, subsidized cost,” and it was created to help those who don’t qualify for Wheels to Work. Unfortunately, JumpStart is not accepting new applications at this time, but you can periodically check the website to see if they’ve opened up the application process. 

Additionally, they provide an “Other Transportation Resources” page, which shares links to other organizations that can help you find free or affordable transportation options. 

8. Working Cars for Working Families

Run by the National Consumer Law Center, Working Cars for Working families strives to ensure that working families “can get, keep, and use a reliable car at fair terms.” They collaborate with a number of different organizations to improve public policy, data collection, and promote nonprofits that help struggling families secure transportation. 

They have a searchable database you can use to find programs in your area that might be able to provide you with a free or low-cost vehicle. You will need to review the requirements of each program to find out if you’re eligible and what the application process looks like. 

Other Ways to Get a Free Car

If you don’t meet the criteria for the charities above, you might need to get creative in how you find yourself a car. These options will require you to get out of your comfort zone and ask people in your community or those closest to you for help.

Related: Need Money Now? 40 Ways to Earn Cash When You Urgently Need It

9. Contact your local church

Many local churches have a line item in their budget for benevolence and could be one way to get a free car now. Churches have helped people whose homes have flooded, roofs have caved in, cars have stopped working, or for members who are down on their luck.

This option will work best if you’ve been involved with the church before coming to them in need. If you also need free clothes or help with food or utilities, your local church can likely help you.

10. Request a donation from a local dealer

Local dealerships usually don’t donate cars directly to individuals, but you may get lucky if they have an older model or a trade-in that they believe will sell. If you’re facing hard times, try writing a letter to the manager of your local dealership explaining your circumstances.

Try doing this at the end of the year during the holiday season when people are feeling more charitable. The dealership may be more open to helping you out, especially if you’re willing to share your story publicly.

11. Find a job that provides a car

Although you might have to do a little searching, there are jobs that will provide you with a vehicle, and some of those might let you use it for personal reasons. Jobs like service technician, in-the-field social worker, utility and cable worker, and truck or delivery driver are all options to consider.

If you do find a job with this perk, make sure you check with your employer about their rules for personal use. Find out if you can take the car out of state, who’s responsible for routine maintenance, gas and tolls, and if you’re allowed to have passengers. 

Related: 13 Ways to Make Money Delivering Food, Packages, and More

12. Ask friends and family for assistance

If you’re having a hard time finding a free car from charities or social service agencies, consider asking your friends and family for help. It might be a big request to ask people you know for a free car, but they may be able to loan you a vehicle or sell you one for a low price. 

If you’re handy, you might even offer to fix up someone’s old car in exchange for them selling it to you at a reduced cost.

13. Check Craigslist

People often try to get rid of old, broken-down vehicles on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Many times it’s more work or not worth the time for them to sell to a dealer, but a private sale can net them a few hundred dollars. If you’re good with cars or know someone who is that can assist you, this might be one way to get a free or cheap used car.

If the car is completely unsalvageable, you can always sell it for parts or scrap metal and put that money towards a car. Just make sure you’ll get more than you pay before considering this option.

14. Check Goodwill

When most people think of Goodwill, they think of clothes, books, or baby items. However, people are also able to donate their old cars. You can call your local Goodwill to see if they have any available or check out their car auction inventory.

Through the online auction, you can live anywhere in the country and purchase a car from Goodwill. You will need to arrange transportation to pick up the car you purchase; they do not ship or transport cars to you. 

15. Start a GoFundMe

GoFundMe is another option for buying a car for cheap. If you feel comfortable, share your story about how you ended up on hard times. Emphasize how buying a car, or getting a free car, will help you start fresh. Be honest about the car’s impact on your life, but don’t stretch the truth. You don’t want to take advantage of people’s generosity. 

You can also post a request for donations and grants on sites like ModestNeeds.org. Make sure you read their eligibility requirements thoroughly before submitting an application.

A Free Used Car Could Change Your Financial Situation 

When you’ve fallen on hard times financially, it can often feel like you’re stuck in a cycle. You don’t have the money to buy a car, and without a car, you can’t get to work. You’re stuck in a loop.

Finding a cheap or free car may be the solution you need. With a bit of research and hard work, you might find a free car that helps break the cycle and change your financial situation. The jobs that were once out of reach become possible with access to a vehicle.

But remember that even a free car isn’t truly free. There may be parts you need to fix or refurbish. Furthermore, make sure you have money to cover essentials like car insurance, properly registering the vehicle, routine car maintenance, and lastly, cash for gas and tolls. 

The last thing you want is to get a car but have no means to keep it running.

The post 15 Places to Get a Free Car for Those in Need appeared first on DollarSprout.

These days, the majority of financial transactions take place online.

Even exchanging money between family and friends is now done through online apps like Venmo, PayPal, or Zelle. Most of these require a linked bank account.

That means if you’re one of the 7% of people in the United States without a bank account, then managing your money, especially cashing checks, is a bit trickier.

When you have a bank account, cashing a check is super easy. You can drop by the bank or use an ATM. With some banks, you can even use their app to take a quick picture of the check and deposit it from your phone.

Without your own bank account, you can’t just walk into a local branch to deposit a check. Even if it does cash your check, you’ll have to pay a small fee every time.

If you don’t have a bank account, but you still need quick access to your cash, then head to one of the check cashing places on this list.

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7 Places Where You Can Cash a Personal Check

Even though it can be tough to cash a check when you don’t have a bank account, it’s not impossible. There are several companies that will let you cash a check, but you’ll probably have to pay a small fee for the service.

The good news is that you can walk out with cash in your pocket today.

Every check cashing place will have different rules and requirements for getting your check cashed. Some places will cash certain types of checks that others won’t, so be sure to call ahead before making a special trip.

1. The Bank listed on the check

If you’re trying to cash a check without a bank account, the easiest place to start is with the bank on the check you’re trying to cash.

To find this information, simply look above the memo line in the bottom left corner. Call a local branch to find out its check cashing policy.

It can easily verify the availability of funds by checking the account balance of the one who wrote you the check. Some banks will even give the account owner a phone call on the spot as a security measure to ensure there is no fraud taking place.

The bank listed on the check used to be the cheapest option to get your cash. Now, most of the big banks have started implementing fees to get your check cashed if you do not have an account with them. Most charge a flat rate or a percentage of the check amount up to a certain maximum.

Every bank will have different terms and requirements to cash checks that are tied to its institution. The most foolproof option is to call ahead and ask about its policy and fees.

You’ll need 1-2 forms of valid ID to confirm the check is yours, so make sure to bring a driver’s license, passport, or another government-issued ID card.

2. Walmart

Walmart is one of the most global and accessible check cashing places on this list. With over 5,000 locations, close to 90% of the population in the United States lives within 15 miles of a Walmart.

Walmart also has reasonable fees at $4 for a check under $1,000 and $8 for anything over that limit. This is right in line with the fees most of the major banks charge.

The biggest advantage of cashing your check at Walmart is that it has a number of options. For instance, you can get straight cash back or a reloadable Walmart Moneycard.

Walmart check cashing options:

• Pre-printed checks
• Payroll checks
• Government checks
• Tax checks
• Cashiers’ checks
• Insurance settlement checks
• 401k and retirement distribution checks
• MoneyGram money orders
• Two party personal checks ($200 max)

Two Important things to be aware of:

1. Walmart recently started cashing personal checks, but there is a $6 fee and a check limit of $200. If you’re looking to cash a personal check, you may want to look at other options.
2. They have strict check limits. For most of the year, you can cash a check as long as it’s under $5,000. During tax season (Jan-April), this limit is raised to $7,500.

You’ll need to bring the check and a valid ID with you to the store.

3. Ace Check Cashing

A number of businesses operate solely for this purpose. If you don’t have access to a local bank, then a check cashing place may be your only option.

Be careful though because these stores generally charge the highest fees of all the options on this list. Most check cashing stores have varying fees even among their own branches, so be sure to call and ask beforehand.

Before you cash your check at a store like this, make sure to ask if they require a credit check. Some stores will run a credit report before cashing the check because they are effectively giving you a short term loan until they are reimbursed with the funds from the issuing bank.

Ace Check Express is one of the most popular options, with physical locations in 24 states. It will cash almost any kind of check as long as you have a valid form of identification.

Ace Cash Express Options:

• Personal checks
• Payroll checks
• Government checks
• Tax refund checks
• Insurance settlement checks
• Money orders

The big advantage Ace Cash Express has over Walmart and other stores is that it will cash a personal check for you. It does not have fees listed on its website, so you’ll have to call a local store to get information on how much it will charge to cash your check.

4. Gas station

Gas stations used to be a much better option for cashing checks, but many places have stopped offering this service because of the high risk of fraud. Once the check is cashed, there is almost nothing the gas station can do to track down the person responsible.

However, 7-Eleven still cashes checks. Many locations have a Vcom kiosk. This is basically a touch-screen station where you can cash checks, pay bills, and handle other financial tasks.

The easier option is to download the Transact by 7-Eleven app. You can deposit checks with your phone. The cash gets added onto your reloadable 7-Eleven prepaid card, which functions just like a Debit MasterCard. Most online and retail stores will accept them.

The funds take about 48 hours to be loaded onto your card.

You can even use it to set up direct deposit from your employer and government benefit checks.

Other gas station check cashing options:

• Pilot Flying J
• TravelCenters of America

With gas stations and travel centers, not every location will be able to cash a check, so call ahead to find one that does.

5. Your employer

In some cases, your employer can actually cash personal checks for you.

There are specific rules and regulations on check cashing, so most employers avoid offering this service. However, some do. There is no daily limit to the dollar amount on the checks that an employer can cash as long as they are payroll checks.

Employers can also cash non-payroll checks as long as you don’t exceed $1,000 per day. Anything above that and they would be subject to banking regulations as an official “check casher.”

6. Grocery store

Grocery stores are one of the most dependable and convenient options for cashing a check. You probably already go to the store a couple of times a week, which means you don’t have to go out of your way if you have a store that offers this service.

Not every grocery chain does this, but here are some that do:

• HEB
• Kroger
• Publix
• Winn Dixie
• Albertsons ($1,000 limit)
• WinCo
• Stop & Shop
• Hyvee

Fees and check limits will vary from store to store, but all will require a form of government ID.

Most won’t let you cash personal checks because of fraud risk, but if you’re trying to cash a government check, payroll check, cashier’s check, or money order, then your odds are good.

Related: 35 Stores That Give Cash Back on Your Debit Card Purchases

7. Endorse your check to a friend or family member

If you don’t have a bank account of your own, then you could endorse the check to a friend or family member who does.

Endorsing a check is a simple two-step process:

• You write “Pay to the order of [Name]”
• Sign underneath

They can then cash the check for free and give the funds to you.

This obviously requires a deep level of trust and, in some cases, you both have to be present at the bank so they can prove that you are not being pressured or forced to do this. You’ll likely be asked to fill out a form to certify your endorsement.

Depending on how often you need to cash a check, it may be much easier for you to open a checking account of your own and avoid this workaround. The last thing you want is for money to get in the way of your relationships with friends and family.

Check Cashing FAQs

Can you cash a check at an ATM?

Even with a bank account, you technically can’t cash a check at an ATM.

You could deposit a check and immediately follow it up by withdrawing cash from your account. However, if you have nothing in your account prior to depositing the check, you will not be able to withdraw the funds for 24 to 48 business hours.

Without an account, though, there is no way to do this.

Can I cash a check without an ID?

With the exception of endorsing your check to a friend or family member, all of the check cashing places above will require at least one form of ID, sometimes two. If your ID is expired, then technically it is not valid and won’t count as a form of identification.

If you do not have an ID, you have three options:

• Endorse the check to someone else
• Cash the check online
• Sign up with a bank and use its online app

How can I cash a check online?

If you don’t have a bank account but have internet access or a smartphone, there are a few options. The two most popular apps that don’t require a bank account to be linked are PayPal and Ingo Money.

You can use Ingo money to deposit almost every kind of check, including handwritten personal checks. You simply endorse the check by signing it and taking a picture of the front and back. Once the check is approved, the funds will be sent wherever you designate them.

With Ingo, you have a number of options to access your money:

• Prepaid debit card
• Pick up cash in person at a MoneyGram location
• Amazon gift card
• PayPal account

However, the fees for Ingo can add up quickly. Government and payroll checks are $5 each. If the amount is over $250, you’ll pay a 2% fee. This means for a $1,000 check, you’ll pay $20. For all other checks, you’ll pay a 5% fee.

With PayPal, the fees are only slightly better. You’ll pay 1% for government and payroll checks and 5% for all others. You can transfer the funds to a prepaid debit card and then withdraw the cash at most ATMs.

With both online apps, you can avoid paying these fees if you are willing to wait a full 10 days to access the funds.

Cashing a Check is Easiest and Cheapest with a Bank

When you don’t have a bank account, you’ll always be stuck paying fees to get your checks cashed.

If you’re tired of paying fees, driving around town, and calling places to ask about their policies, you might want to consider opening a bank account. The best online checking accounts allow you to earn the highest interest rates on your savings and get your checks cashed fee-free every time.

The post 7 Best Places to Cash a Check (Besides Your Bank) appeared first on DollarSprout.