As of 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 10th, Car Repair Grant Applications are CLOSED. All applications received by that time/date will be processed on a first come first serve basis.
Please Note: due to the high number of applications it may take 3-4 weeks for your application to be reviewed. You must wait until your application is reviewed and you receive a Letter of Guarantee. Repairs completed before a Letter of Guarantee has been issued will not be eligible for the grant.
Reducing the Cost Burden of Transportation
The Car Repair Grant offers help to households who have been financially impacted by COVID-19 and are in need of car repairs or maintenance. We provide one-time grants to households who need their car for their current job or to search for a new job.
Households who have been approved for a car repair grant will be required to get an estimate from their preferred auto repair shop and submit the estimate for approval before repairs can be started. Once the estimate is approved and all required paperwork submitted, repairs can be completed and grant funds of up to $1,000 will be paid directly to the auto repair shop.
Am I Eligible?
Community Action will require you to go through an application and interview process, and you must meet all of the following requirements to be eligible for the grant::
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guideline
- Household has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
- Live in Ramsey or Washington County
- Be currently employed and need car to maintain job or job searching and need car to find a job
- Have a valid Minnesota driver’s license
- Provide proof of car ownership
- Provide proof of current car insurance
- Car must be less than 20-years old
How Do I Apply?
To apply for the Car Repair Grant Program, you will need the following documents:
- Proof of residency and household size. You will need one of the following:
- 2021 tax return (first page of the 1040 only)
- Or, medical cards for everyone in the household, and one of options below:
- A utility bill or letter from state, local, or federal government that was mailed to you or has your name and address on it
- A copy of a rental lease or mortgage statement
- Proof of your total household income. You will need one of the following:
- 2021 tax return (first page of the 1040 only)
- Proof of last 90 days of income, and if applicable:
- A statement from social security stating your benefit amounts
- A statement from county worker documenting any benefits received
- Proof that you own the car. You will need one of the following:
- Car title
- Car loan agreement
- Monthly car loan bill
- A notarized statement proving car ownership
- Proof of current car insurance. You will need one of the following:
- Insurance card with your name on it
- Insurance policy document with your name on it
- Proof of VALID Minnesota Driver’s License:
- Picture of front of Driver’s License
Where Do I Apply?
Please make sure you have ALL of the above documents ready to upload and attach to your application. The more complete your application is the faster we will be able to review it and approve you for the grant.
For more information about the Car Repair Program, please send us an email at cars@caprw.org or call us at 651-603-5885.