Many of the CalWORKs participants enrolled in the Guaranteed Ride Home Program are interested in either fixing up their car or trying to purchase a car. Here are a few resources available in the county that may help:
The Family Loan Program provides small loans to low-income parents who can't get loans elsewhere. The purpose of the loan is to help family members pay for unexpected expenses that could interfere with their ability to keep a job or stay in school. The Family Loan Program offers loans up to $3,000 for car purchase and $750 for car repair, in addition to loans for a few other purposes. Applicants must be employed for 20 hours a week and for at least three months OR pursuing post-high school education (9 credits per semester).
First Wheels Deals -- Santa Clara County CalWORKs, with their partners the County General Services and the Family Loan Program, has recently initiated a new program called CalWORKs Cars -- First Wheels. This project is a demonstration project at this point, designed to provide qualifying CalWORKs Participants with a loan to purchase a used SSA General Services fleet car. The cars are those the GSA would normally sell at auction. The program is now working with 30 qualifying CalWORKs participants helping them to obtain loans and cars. A waiting list is being maintained as well.
The loan package for CalWORKs participants involved in the program includes tax, registration and 6 months of car insurance. The cost ends up at about $1,000 - $1,300, so the participant is able to pay the loan back in small monthly payments they can afford.
At this point, the Family Loan Program maintains a wait list of people interested in the CalWORKs Cars program and SSA staff are working on obtaining more cars for this project. Remember, applicants must be employed for the past three months or be in school as described above under the regular Family Loan requirements.
*** For more information about the loan programs and how to qualify, participants may contact the Family Loan Program and ask for Rose Colbert or Nancy Smith at 408-288-6200.