United Way of Bucks County can help you secure reliable transportation.
United Way of Bucks County is offering free assistance to help ALICE (asset-limited, income-constrained, employed) residents of Bucks County increase financial literacy, improve credit scores and credit worthiness, and secure low-interest used car loans to ensure safe and reliable transportation to work.
HOW TO GET HELP
Referrals are currently only open to United Way Member Agencies. Read more about program requirements below.
LIFT United, which stands for “Learn to Invest in Your Future and Thrive,” is designed to support ALICE (Asset Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) households in Bucks County.
ALICE households earn more than people living in poverty, but often struggle to cover the cost of basic needs.
- Member Agencies refer their eligible clients and/or staff to LIFT United
- Credit Counseling Center provides eligible clients with free financial literacy courses and one-on-one budget coaching
- Program participants earn incentives for completing coursework and counseling
- Successful participants identify vehicles with an all-in car loan cost of no more than $15,000
- Penn Community Bank offers a loan at 3.5% interest
- United Way co-signs the loan and matches down payments of up to $1,000
- Increase financial literacy for a successful future
- Improve credit score and creditworthiness
- Secure low-interest used car loan and help with down payment to ensure safe, reliable transportation to work
- Participants must work a minimum of 30 hours per week
- Household income no more than 75% of AMI (See Chart)
- Income must be sustainable to cover their basic expenses and make a car payment (amount must be at least $300-$400 per month with insurance).
- Must save a down payment of at least $500
- Must be able to maintain a minimum of $500 in a contingency fund for repairs, etc.
- Must have credit score between 600 and 750
- Debt-to-income ratio cannot exceed 65%
- History of major unpaid traffic violations or impoundment
- History of default on a loan within the last two years
- Currently involved in bankruptcy proceedings or if not making timely, verified chapter 13 payments for the most recent consecutive 12 months, or less than 2 years since a chapter 7 bankruptcy discharge
- Unresolved legal charges, pending trial, or imprisonment
- Past conviction for reckless driving, violent felonies, or other types of violent offenses