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Auto Repair

Through Auto Repair, United Way of Greater Stark County partners with Stark County Job and Family Services to help local families get back on the road. This program provides financial assistance, up to $2,000, for costly vehicle repairs that many working families cannot otherwise afford.

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Apply for car repair assistance

With repairs performed by ASE-certified mechanics, we help families get the reliable transportation they need for employment. Please review the following requirements for the Auto Repair Program. If you are eligible, submit your application to begin the screening process conducted by United Way of Greater Stark County and Stark County Job & Family Services.  

Apply today

Applicant eligibility guidelines:  

  • 18 years old or older  
  • Have minor child in the home, or minor child for whom you pay child support  
  • Be employed (must be able to provide 4-6 weeks of paystubs)
  • Meet income guidelines (must be 200% under the Federal Poverty Line)  
  • Be a Stark County resident
  • Have a vehicle that requires repairs defined as major work (necessary to have the vehicle running reliably)  

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the program guidelines?

  • If the repair(s) exceed $2,000, it is your responsibility to pay any amount over $2,000. United Way of Greater Stark County is a tax-free organization, which means the subtotal is what will be paid. Because the United Way can only guarantee our portion of the payment for two weeks past the completion of repairs, you will have two weeks to pay any amount due over $2,000.
  • To receive this auto repair financial assistance, you will need to obtain three comparable estimates (for the same repair work). All of the items on the estimates need to be exactly the same. The prices may be different. We will choose the lowest estimate. If you are uncomfortable with the lowest priced shop, you may get another quote to take its place.
  • All of the repair estimates need to be from ASE certified shops. You should confirm that the shops are ASE certified. This program cannot use any shop estimate that does not have ASE certification.
  • This program does not cover towing, estimates, or cosmetic issues such as tires, windows, headlights, or bodywork.
  • This program does not cover routine maintenance like oil changes unless they are a required part of the repair.
  • The program cannot fix a vehicle whose repair costs exceed the value of the vehicle. You can find an approximate value for your vehicle using the “Good” condition on the Kelley Blue Book website (www.KBB.com).
  • Payment will be made to ASE certified mechanic or shop upon completion of car repair(s).

What documents will I need to provide?

  • Valid driver’s license
  • Current vehicle registration
  • Current proof of insurance
  • Income verification for 30 days for all working adults in the household
  • Income verification for any income not from employment. Examples:
    • Social Security
    • SNAP
    • Child support
  • Social Security cards for all members of the household
  • Photo ID for all adults in the household
  • 3 Estimates from ASE-certified mechanics

How can I avoid any auto repair headaches?

  • Make sure that all of the items to be repaired are the same. If you aren’t sure if something on one estimate is the same as another estimate, you can ask the mechanic to tell you.
  • If you prefer to work with a specific ASE-certified mechanic and they do not provide the lowest estimate, you can take the other lower estimates back to the mechanic to see if they will price match. Or you can continue getting more ASE-certified estimates until the mechanic of your choice is the lowest of the three.
  • If your vehicle isn't running, you may have your vehicle towed to one shop and call two other shops for their estimates on the same repairs.