Nuciforo proposes Auto Pilot Loan Program for low-income families
In an effort to put more Massachusetts residents on the road to work, I have filed legislation that would provide interest-free auto loans to qualifying low-income families. The Auto Pilot Program, which is supported by several of my colleagues in the Senate, is intended to provide basic transportation to families in order to promote their self-sufficiency.
Transportation is a major challenge for those making the transition from welfare to work. Reliable transportation is essential to the long-term success of employees, and consequently, our economy as a whole. It is also critical to employers who depend on their employees to consistently report to work.
Many of the towns in the district I represent have very little or no public transportation. As a result, residents in these areas are at a disadvantage in terms of commuting to work. I filed this legislation because I believe we should assist those who are willing, yet in certain cases are unable, to work simply because they do not have access to reliable transportation.
How to Qualify
To qualify for the Auto Pilot Program, a family must have at least one dependent child, and at least one of the adults must be employed.
Other considerations in determining eligibility will include, but not be limited to: alternative means of public transportation available to the family, the number of children a participant has, and whether any of the children have disabilities.
If the legislation is adopted, the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) will administer the Auto Pilot Program, and act as a lien holder. DTA will have the first priority to purchase abandoned vehicles throughout the Commonwealth. The agency will not purchase abandoned vehicles for more than $4,000, vehicles that are considered to be sports cars, or other vehicles inappropriate for family use. DTA will approve loans first, and then locate an appropriate vehicle, on a case by case basis.
The total loan cost will include the cost of the vehicle, the fees required to properly license individuals, the fees to register the vehicle with the Registry of Motor Vehicles and the cost of the first insurance premium. These payments will help participants with some of the initial burdens of owning a car.
As part of the program, DTA will administer a counseling session to all Auto Pilot participants prior to signing the loan. Participants will be informed of their responsibility to pay back the loan, and of the financial ramifications of the program. Monthly installment payments will be placed in the Auto Pilot Revolving Loan Fund to sustain the program's financial viability for the future.
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