USEFUL EXTRAS

Introduction to financial planning and links to planning sites
Credit and budgeting info, including counseling
Purchasing, saving money, & consumer protection (handling trouble with a purchase)
Buying or repairing a car
Education: the GED, college, and training including financial aid
Identity theft - prevention and recovery
for a basic guide to smart use of money.

PURCHASING OR REPAIRING AN AUTOMOBILE

WHO NEEDS A CAR?

HOC residents (from any of the HOC housing programs) may be eligible for the Vehicles for Change (VFC) discount car-purchase program. Requirements for the core program:

Employed a minimum of 30 hours a week
Dependent children living with them
Maximum income, depending on household size, is:
- Size Income
- 2 $26,000
- 3 $30,000
- 4 $33,500
- 5 $37,000
- 6 $41,500

Through the above program (Tier I), residents buy cars for under $1,130. All cars have passed inspection and have a 6-month warranty. They pay for the car (and AAA free towing via AAA Premium membership) over 12 months. Call 240-773-9393 or email eligible participants’ names and SSN in order to receive the application form.

Higher-income families may qualify for VFC's Tier II program (for non-HOC residents and HOC residents who are over-income for Tier I). Maximum income for Tier II, depending on household size, is:

Size Income
2 $37,400
3 $47,000
4 $56,500
5 $66,000
6 $75,600

They may call VFC at 1-800-835-3821 for Tier II cars costing $2,000+.

The County school system's mechanics classes repair used cars; they have passed inspection and come with a 30-day warrenty. They are auctioned during the year and go for about $1500 to $4000. Call 301-962-4810.

See also Freedom Wheels or call 410-242-9674 for low-cost cars.

FREEDOM WHEELS/ECDC ENTERPRISE: A subsidiary of Vehicles for Change, providing cars to low income families. ECDC provides loans up to $8,000.

Anyone wanting to buy or repair a car should contact the Consumer Affairs' car assessment staff for free advice at 240-777-3636. (Assistance may be more specific if the caller knows and can report the VIN# of the particular car -- the number near the windshield on the dashboard.)

To obtain driver's education at a discount, FSS can provide a referral to Val's Driving School -- call 240-773-9393 for more information.

These sources give information on cars:

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Content/DHCA/index.asp - Montgomery County Consumer Affairs
Contact John Creel (240-777-3636) to assess car repairs/purchase
www.consumerworld.org - Overall consumer information
www.consumerreports.org - Consumer Reports magazine
www.ftc.gov - Federal Trade Commission
www.consumer.gov - US Government site for consumers
www.pueblo.gsa.gov - Consumer Information Center
www.checkbook.org - Washington Consumer's Checkbook magazine
www.edmunds.com - Edmunds information on new and used cards
www.cars.com - General car information
www.nhtsa.dot.gov - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Also see the general consumer information.

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