How to get a car for free if you have a disability

If you have a disability, it is often quite difficult to get around. This often limits your ability to find paid work, go to meetings, and even hinder basic necessities like grocery shopping.

You can get a free car if you are disabled and meet certain criteria. You may be eligible if you:

• have a disease
• Have a valid driver's license
• Do you really need your own transport?
• Can prove that you can't afford to buy a car

Method 1 of 5: Get a donated car from an organization

Services like FreeCharityCars help match car donors to suitable recipients, such as people with disabilities. They provide a place where generous people donate a used car they no longer need (in exchange for a donation receipt for tax purposes) and match the donated car to the person who most demonstrates the need for such a vehicle.

Services that match people with disabilities with donated vehicles strictly do not work with people with disabilities. There are many different demographics that can qualify for the few donated cars that are available. These people include:

• Victims of domestic violence
• Working poor
• People in transitional houses
• Victims of natural disasters
• Nonprofits
• military families

Because there is such a high demand for donated cars and it is impossible to predict how many or which cars will be donated, there is no guarantee that you will receive a free car from the organization. This process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few years and will never give you results.

Nobody knows who can read your messages on the Internet. Social media has provided a place that is far reaching and easy to use. There are many ways to use social media to communicate your need for a vehicle that can reach thousands of people, many of whom you probably don't know.

Step 1: Use Social Media. Post to Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. Write a catchy post detailing why you want a car for free.

Step 2: Be honest and brief. Give the reader enough information without going into details that the reader is comfortable with.

Step 3. Share with friends. Ask your friends to share your post with their friends.

Step 4: Prepare contact information. Most importantly, include a contact method in your message so that potential vehicle donors can contact you directly.

Method 3 of 5: Contact local nonprofits

Whether you have an illness or accident-related disability, there are support services and organizations dedicated specifically to your disability. They may or may not have services that provide free cars as each organization has separate criteria and programs.

Step 1: Research Local Organizations. Find your local office by searching the Internet, the phone book, or networking with other people who are in the same situation as you.

Step 2. Contact. Contact the branch and request information about a free car.

• If the person you're talking to doesn't know about any car software, politely ask to speak to another person. You can also check for programs in another non-local branch.

Step 3. Be aware of the programs. Some agencies may have programs available that subsidize part of the vehicle or cover part of the costs associated with ownership, so be sure to pay attention to those details.

Method 4 of 5: Local Churches

Step 1: Talk to your minister. If you are part of a place of worship or church, talk to your minister or church authority about your need for a car.

Step 2: Have them speak to the meeting. Let them communicate your need to the meeting, where a generous donor may have a free car for you.

• Most churches are non-profit organizations and can provide a tax receipt to a car donor.

• This can be a great way for the church to minister to the needs of its congregation while also benefiting the donor.

• Functions: If you are not currently a church member, do not start attending a church to get a free car. You can still approach several local church leaders to request a free vehicle for your situation in the hope of their generosity.

Method 5 of 5: Ask local mechanics

A popular practice among owners of older vehicles is to write them off when they need repairs that they feel are not profitable or too expensive. Local mechanics may have information about a vehicle that the owner plans to trade or give away.

Step 1: Learn Local Mechanics. Approach the shop owner or mechanic explaining why you need a free car. Give them all the important details that might convince them to help you.

Step 2. Connect. The shop owner can contact their customer on your behalf about donating a car to you.

Step 3: Transfer of ownership of the old car. Sometimes a vehicle owner may abandon a vehicle that needs repair or no longer needs it. The shop owner or mechanic can help you get in touch with this person to get the car to you.

Step 4: Request an Inexpensive/Free Repair. Politely ask the mechanic to check for a repair and even to repair at a low cost or for free.

If you managed to get a car for free, be sure to express gratitude to the person or organization from which you received the car. Donating a car should not be taken lightly as it is a big expense for the donor.

Most likely, your new car has already served for several years. It will require fuel, regular maintenance, repairs, as well as insurance and registration. All of these items are chargeable to you and you should be prepared to pay. Check with local repair shops and insurance agencies to see if they offer disability discounts. Depending on your circumstances and location, you may have to pay taxes on the value of your car, even if it was a gift.