Wheels for Work

The Vehicle Loan Program provides low-cost auto loans to eligible individuals in Allegany and Cattaraugus counties in cooperation with the Allegany Business Center. Eligible individuals include:

• whose household income does not exceed 200% of the Federal Poverty Level
• parents, expected parents, non-custodial parents, or custodial parents of a minor child

The Wheels for Work program assists low-income working families in obtaining personal vehicles, which are necessary for transportation. “Getting to work on time, dropping your kids off at day care and being at all the other places a parent needs to be requires some way to get there,” said OTDA Commissioner David A. Hansell. “The Wheels for Work program provides used vehicles and other related services to working New Yorkers, helping them obtain employment or keep a job, giving them and their families a brighter future.” ACCORD’s Allegany-Cattaraugus County program is one of the largest in the State and has been very successful. To date, there has been over 300 loans made and therefore 300 jobs retained because of this program. The loans are to be paid back over a three (3) year period, but an incentive is given to those who are on time with their payments.

Assistance in household budgeting is also available to our clients, as well as help in repairing their credit report scores that enhances their ability to obtain loans through conventional sources in the future.