United Way of Bucks County can help you secure reliable transportation.
Having a safe and reliable car is essential – but it’s not always affordable. If you need help with a car loan, LIFT United (Learn to Invest in your Future and Thrive) is here for you! Our free program can help you build your financial skills, boost your credit score, and either refinance your current high-interest car loan into a new, lower-interest loan OR secure a low-interest used car loan and help with your down payment.
HOW TO GET HELP
Please review the eligibility criteria below before applying.
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.
LIFT United is a collaboration between United Way of Bucks County, Penn Community Bank, the County of Bucks, and Credit Counseling Center.
- Interested participants submit an application using the form below.
- 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
- Lower-Interest Car Loans: Refinance your current high-interest car loan into a new, lower-interest loan OR secure a low-interest used car loan and help with your down payment.
- Boost Your Credit Score: Your credit score is your financial lifeline, and LIFT United is here to help you strengthen it. By participating in our program, you’ll receive valuable guidance and support to improve your credit score and overall creditworthiness.
- Financial Empowerment: Gain the essential financial skills you need to thrive. From budgeting and saving to understanding credit and managing debt, LIFT United will equip you with the financial knowledge and tools you need for a successful future.
- 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