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I need help to fix my car. I can't afford to pay $1200 for labor to replace the water pump. I need a car for my Dr. appointments and to pick up my medication.

For free or low-cost car repairs for low-income seniors, check local non-profits like Autocare Haven or Higher Power Garage, dial 211 for local resources, and inquire with charities like The Salvation Army or Catholic Charities, as these organizations offer vouchers, discounted repairs, or direct aid for essential fixes like brakes, tires, and suspension, with some programs covering parts and labor for those in need, notes GoFundMe and AgingCare.com. 

National & Local Resources
Dial 2-1-1: Call 211 or visit 211.org to find local charities, grants, or repair shops offering discounted services for seniors, says spotfund.
Higher Power Garage: Provides low-cost fixes (brakes, tires) for seniors on fixed incomes.

Autocare Haven: A Texas-based non-profit connecting seniors, veterans, and low-income families with free repairs, covering parts and labor.
Local Charities: The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and other local groups often have transportation assistance programs or repair help. 

Government & Other Options
TANF: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families might offer emergency funds for car repairs for eligible low-income families, per Tiltify.

Warranty: If your car is newer, check if a manufacturer's warranty covers the repair. 

How to Find Help Near You
Start with 211: This is the best first step for localized programs.
Search online: Use terms like "free car repair for seniors [Your City]" or "low income car assistance [Your County]".

Contact major charities: Reach out to local chapters of national organizations like The Salvation Army. 

*I don't know why AI suggests contacting Agingcare.com for help with car repairs! This may be why we're being inundated with these inquiries!
Helpful Answer (14)
Reply to lealonnie1
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PeggySue2020 Dec 5, 2025
Wow, it’s ai doing this?

im married to a blue collar worker. It’s very insulting to presuppose that their labor is fun (it’s NOT) or should be free. It’s one thing to have Salesforce volunteers at your animal shelter to pet cats and dogs (as a shelter employee they contributed nothing) as opposed to assuming that same enthusiastic corporate energy will apply to mechanics getting under your car.

Seriously, most blue collar workers are themselves in survival mode and it gets worse the younger they get.
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You have been given some info. But in the long run, you may have to give up your car if you can't maintain it, afford registration or insurance. The part itself cost up to $400. Are you going to a dealer or an independent? Dealers are very expensive.

I hope you find someone to help you. If you do please come back and tell us how you got help. This question has come upon the forum a few times lately. Office of Aging may be able to help you with transportation.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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iameli Dec 12, 2025
Good points. At some point it isn’t cost effective to own a car. There are more options for transportation for seniors than help with the expenses of owning an automobile. Which makes sense as it’s a more efficient use of our tax dollars. My mom had to give hers up because of her eyesight but the time was coming that she’d need to reduce her expenses. Her senior apartment rent is going up every year and her income isn’t.
OP maybe you’ll find someone willing to fix your car for a price you can afford, but if not, maybe it’s time to consider whether owning a car is no longer sustainable and look into other alternatives for transportation.
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I suggest calling the Office on Aging in your community. They will tell you what transportation services are available for seniors in your area, low-cost or maybe even no-cost. You might want to check with a local charity or a school that offers mechanics training to see if they could help with your car repair.
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Reply to MG8522
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Johansonp, I do not know what state you live in but in Massachusetts there are programs. MassAbility ( a state agency for people with Disability) has resources for just this kind of problem. This can include the seniors with health problems.

If you call your state Representative office and explain your problem they may put you in touch with resources. Also the Salvation Army may be of help.

For example: Massachusetts has programs that provide free cars to individuals in need.
The Good News Garage offers refurbished, donated vehicles to eligible consumers who cannot afford to purchase their own vehicles. 
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Additionally, MassAbility provides support for people with disabilities to access transportation services, including the possibility of receiving donated vehicles. 
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Various organizations in Massachusetts offer free car programs for low-income families, helping them overcome transportation barriers. 
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For more information, you can explore these programs directly through their respective websites.

Johansonp I see nothing wrong with your question.

I do see something wrong with the one angry response you received. In fact I think it should be taken down. It is insulting to you and other "blue collar workers" who do volunteer their time such as
Habitat for Humanity and I might add my local garage who helped me keep my very old car running when I couldn't pay for high-cost repairs and the guy that pumped my septic for half price. How about that blue color local roofer (that I know) who re-shingled an elderly neighbors' roof for free.

I also volunteer and find joy in giving back to my community. I hope you keep reaching out and find a resolution. You are in a critical situation. Perhaps you can let us know how it works out. There are good people in this world.
I wish you the best.
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Reply to liz1906
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PeggySue2020 Dec 12, 2025
I didn’t say it was impossible. I said landing such a deal would be about as likely as winning a thousand bucks on a scratcher ticket.

The response about mass benefits sounds very AI. I bet it would cheerfully chirp that California has a program that pays for Medicaid recipients to go to assisted living. The catch is that the qualified client usually is coming straight from an snf setting.

You have presumably been alive long enough to realize there is going to be a substantial catch as to who gets something like a free car. Consider the demand. I called it akin to winning 1000 on a scratcher, and thats likely an underestimate.
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If you have retired with low income it is a certainty that things will happen. Cars will need repairs, roofs will leak, hot water tanks will leak, and etc. I am uncertain whether you are still able to do some jobs but it sounds like you may need to try to find a way to do so.

Meanwhile there's the car, and believe it or not it is one of our most common question. Folks even call asking how to get free fence repair, roof work, tree removal. And less and less today are there any charitable entities out there willing to help.

I would check EVERYWHERE. Call local senior centers and ask if anyone is on a list to give low cost, or time payment repairs to seniors who can prove need. Call Faith-based communities. Call your local council on aging. You can even call some car repair places and ask what you can do to get a better price or a time payment. Ask if there is any barter or trade you can do to work out some help.

Other than throwing yourself on the kindness of friends, family I have utterly no idea how you can find free work out there. There is so much need now by so many in our country, I know you aren't the only one looking for help. I surely do wish you the best of luck.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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By all means call around to the resources Alva suggested. However, the odds of finding a garage that will just donate 1200 in free labor are about as high as winning a thousand bucks on a scratcher. It happens all the time, but it’s never happened to me. Odds are, it won’t for you, too.

Free county senior buses exist to take you to doctors appointments. Or you can use paid ride shares you don’t have to schedule ahead for. Almost everything can be delivered.
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Reply to PeggySue2020
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Hello, I live in California. I have reached out to the Dept. of aging in my dad’s county to help him with free transportation and other resources.
I think getting your prescriptions and groceries delivered to you is a great idea.
There is help for you but that’s where I would start. The dept. of aging in your county.
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Reply to Monicaj0421
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TrishaAlvis Dec 12, 2025
Your local Senior Services should be able to take an application or referral as it were, to get you an assessment to see what services and how many hours a week they can provide a Home Care Aide to you at no cost if you qualify. Then you choose from a list of HCA Agencies and they will send you an HCA to help you in your home or apartment. These are typically called Community Care Programs. Medicare and Medicaid, or Managed Care Organizations Iike BCBS, Aetna, Humana, etc. cover the cost if you're over 60, under a certain income, and need help around your home like personal care, med reminders, light housekeeping, laundry, changing the bedding, running errands, meal prep and storage. HCAs are non medical, certified by the state yearly, and background checked. Senior Services work under the laws and bylaws set forth by Department on Aging. The sooner you start the process the quicker you'll get help. Best wishes!
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I'm sixty eight on a fixed income and had to return to work part time. I got caught in those first wave of layoffs during the pandemic. There are plenty of places where us older people can work. I'm currently employed as a home health aide. I could make more money, but my knees and back took quite a beating last week.

I took Lyft and public transportation for doctor's appointments, and work assignments. I did Instacart for groceries when I could afford it.

Look for jobs as a greeter, and other low activity types of work.
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Reply to Scampie1
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I don't know your health condition, but maybe you could work as a respite caregiver or companion for someone in your neighborhood. One of their family members might be willing to drive you to the person's home. 65 is not old these days, and this is a type of job that is probably readily available if your health permits it. You may not be able to do the heavy lifting, but you could provide companionship, play cards, prepare simple meals, etc. I'll probably get beat up for this, but if you are having major final problems with no solutions at age 65, I fear what the future will hold for you.
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Reply to Lylii1
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If you are ‘65 years old, retired with a fixed income’, and you can’t afford a car repair, I’d suggest that you have a serious think about income and expenditure options for the remainder of your years. There are many seniors organisations that will help you to plan, even though they won’t provide you with the cost of repairs.
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