In recent years, most single-mother households have faced mounting financial difficulties. Approximately 4.3 million families led by single moms are living in poverty, which is mainly attributed to their lower average household income. Moreover, single mothers only earn $40,000 per year, which is extremely inadequate for the rising costs of food, housing, education, healthcare, and transportation.
Various car assistance programs are available to reduce the economic hardships of single-parent households. In this article, we’ll discuss the things to do when a single mother needs help getting a car. Read the article below to learn more.
Challenges Faced By Single Mothers In Obtaining A Vehicle
As of 2022, there are 19.6 million American children living in single-parent households. About 81% of single-parent families are headed by mothers, and only 19% are led by fathers.
Single mothers are more vulnerable to fiscal problems. They face several social and economic challenges that prevent them from getting reliable vehicles. Such difficulties can be experienced in a variety of areas, such as:
Lack Of Financial Resources
Most single moms struggle to earn enough income to support themselves and their children, unless they are fortunate enough to receive large alimony and child support payments.
Mothers of young children had the lowest median wealth levels among single parents in 2019, with only around $7,000 in family wealth. A third of single mothers also lack the financial resources to cover a $400 emergency bill. Furthermore, unemployment among single moms in 2020 rose to 10.4% from 5.9% in 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Difficulty In Getting Valid Driver’s License And Proof Of Auto Insurance
All U.S. states require a valid driver’s license to own and drive a vehicle. Although conventional households may find getting one easy and inexpensive, it’s not the case for single mothers. In order to get a driver’s license, you must go to a DMV office and wait in line. Then, you must register your biometrics, submit all required documents, take some tests, and pay the fees. Getting a valid driver’s license can cost anywhere between $20 and $1,000.
Additionally, getting auto insurance coverage nowadays is extremely costly, especially for low-income single parents. The average annual cost of full auto insurance coverage is $2,014, with the minimum coverage being $622. Full coverage typically costs $168 per month, while minimum coverage costs $52 on average.
Low Access To Public Transportation Options
Whether single mothers can independently navigate their neighborhoods is largely determined by the accessibility of public transportation. Many areas, especially those in rural towns, lack reliable public transit for low-income single-parent households. This is mainly due to a lack of priority and funding issues.
Single mothers are also often at risk of sexual, physical, and psychological violence when using public transportation. In fact, more than half of older women and teenage girls experienced some form of violence while using public buses and trains. The threat of violence against single mothers on public transport seriously limits their personal mobility and safety. Also, the lack of reliable public transportation isolates single mothers from employment opportunities, quality healthcare services, and social engagements.
Solutions To Help Single Mothers Get A Vehicle
Cars are essential for single mothers to carry out their daily responsibilities. Without an automobile, single moms won’t be able to accompany their children to school, attend to emergencies, pick up groceries, or get to work. Fortunately, there are easy ways for a single mom to acquire a vehicle, such as:
Non-Profit Organizations Providing Vehicles To Qualifying Families
Free cars are often provided to qualified low-income households by various non-profit organizations and charities. These often include the following:
- CarsForMoms.org — empowers women and single mothers by providing them with reliable vehicles for personal use.
- 1-800-Charity Cars — offers donated vehicles to financially struggling families and single-parent households.
- Working Cars For Working Families — assists low-income single-mother households in finding jobs by providing new and used cars.
- Good Neighbor Garage — provides transportation assistance services to single mothers and widowed wives within the city of Denver. They also offer free driving lessons, car maintenance, and repair services.
- ExtendedFamily.org — allows employed single mothers residing in San Fernando Valley, California to purchase brand-new vehicles at a discounted price. They also offer affordable auto loans, gas coupons, and public transit vouchers.
- Modest Needs — gives away used cars to low-income families. Additionally, they provide free routine maintenance and repair services to ensure the reliability of the donated vehicles.
Usually, eligibility for car assistance programs is determined based on your income level and financial situation. Basic requirements also include the following:
- Must be a U.S. citizen or an immigrant with eligible status
- Must be 18 years old and older
- Gross annual income is below the federal poverty level in the current area of residence
- Is not a beneficiary of any car assistance programs
- Valid driver’s license
Donations From Local Businesses And Organizations
Aside from non-profit organizations, there are also local dealerships that work with low-income households and economically challenged single moms.
- Cars4Christmas — through this organization, secondhand automobiles are donated to families and single parents in need. However, before giving them to qualified applicants, Cars4Christmas ensures that donated vehicles are road-worthy and reliable.
- The Salvation Army — provides transportation assistance services to qualified low-income families through its multiple local offices across the U.S. The Salvation Army partners with various foundations and car dealerships to make low-cost automobiles available to single moms.
Military Families Eligible For Special Programs To Obtain Reliable Transportation
If you or a member of your household served in the military, then you may qualify for this car donation program.
- Cars4Heroes — is a 501(c)(3) organization that donates free used cars to military veterans, first responders, and their families who lack access to comfortable and dependable transportation.
Conclusion
A single mother’s ability to handle multiple responsibilities is often praised. However, their lives will be a lot easier if they own a personal vehicle. Fortunately, there are several ways to provide assistance to a single mother who needs help getting a car.
If you’re looking for housing assistance, visit this article from Single Mothers Help on free housing assistance.