Catholic Charities’ (CCDA) Emergency Assistance program helps people experiencing a temporary financial crisis, who require a car repair due to a failed Virginia Emissions and/or Safety Inspection. Catholic Charities serves residents of the Diocese of Arlington regardless of their race, creed, religion, or national origin. The Counties and Cities of the Diocese include: Arlington County, City of Alexandria, City of Falls Church, City of Fredericksburg, City of Manassas, City of Manassas Park, Fairfax County, City of Fairfax, Prince William County, Spotsylvania County, Stafford County, King George County, Lancaster County, Northumberland County, Richmond County, Westmoreland County, City of Winchester, Clarke County, Culpeper, Fauquier County, Frederick County, Loudoun County, Madison County, Orange County, Page County, Rappahannock County, Shenandoah County and Warren County
Before applying for assistance, please read all eligibility guidelines.
Required Documents
A current copy of all required documents must be uploaded with the signature forms or sent by client via email prior to scheduling an intake appointment. Additional documents may be requested. Reapplication for assistance is required if all documents are not provided within the time frame given by the Case Coordinator. Assistance funds are limited and cannot be set aside for any applicant pending the receipt of documents listed below:
Proof of auto insurance in client’s name and with an address located within the Diocese of Arlington. Must match the registration. Proof of income can include one or all of the following:
- Proof of income (see below).
- Motor vehicle inspection report indicating inspection failures.
- Current Virginia driver’s license.
- Temporary or current Virginia vehicle registration in client’s name and with an address located within the Diocese of Arlington. Must match proof of auto insurance.
- Proof of auto insurance in client’s name and with an address located within the Diocese of Arlington. Must match the registration.
All pay stubs received within the last thirty days, a current benefits statement or proof of bank statement deposits for: court-ordered child support, pension, disability, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Worker’s Compensation, Unemployment Compensation, and TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). We will not accept Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, or Pay Pal statements as current proof of income. An employment offer letter is not acceptable proof of income. For employers such as Uber, Spark, Lyft and/or Instacart, a current statement of earnings must be provided by the employer. We will not accept screenshots of payment portals. We are unable to assist self-employed individuals, including those employed by a spouse or by the family business. We will accept 3 months of current bank statements with consistent EFT entries (Electronic Fund Transfers) as proof of current income which indicate that the source of payment is from employer’s business, unemployment insurance, social security etc. EFT entries from individuals will not be accepted. We will not accept cash deposits.
Assistance Process
Once CCDA receives all signed forms and required documents, the client meets with CCDA Case Coordinator for a Zoom intake to determine eligibility. If eligible, client receives a Voucher Estimate Request. Please note the following:
- Car must be drivable.
- We only approve the repair of items necessary to pass a Virginia Vehicle Emissions and Safety
Inspection. - We cannot repair air conditioning, windshields and auto body repairs.
- We will not assist if repairs of any type are over our maximum financial assistance.
- Tire replacement must be necessary due to an inspection failure and total tire cost is not to
exceed $1,500.00. - We may pay diagnostic fees to our authorized car repair partner on your behalf; however, if the car is
not eligible to be repaired, this paid diagnostic fee will count toward your financial assistance for the
year
Eligibility
The demand for our services is extremely high and we have limited funds, so assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible clients may receive Emergency Assistance once in a 12-month period and up to two times in a 10- year period. Client must be able to communicate via email and phone and attend a Zoom video appointment with the Case Coordinator. To be eligible, the client must reside within the boundaries of the Diocese of Arlington and must be able to provide proof of income (see below under Required Documents). Client must provide a Virginia motor vehicle inspection report indicating the inspection failures, and sign the Emergency Assistance Car Repair Guidelines, Client Rights and Responsibilities and Consent to Exchange Information forms within 24 hours to start the process. Clients must provide a current Virginia driver’s license, current Virginia vehicle registration in their name, proof of auto insurance in their name with name and address matching the vehicle registration.
IMPORTANT: Your printed name and signature on all documents must match the name on your driver’s license. These documents must be uploaded with the signature forms, or the signature forms will not be accepted. If these documents are not received within 24 hours,the application will be automatically closed, and client may re-apply after 60 days.
Note: The Case Coordinator may request additional documents not included in the list below. In addition, should the Case Coordinator determine that there are irregularities in the client documents, they may request an in-person interview with the client, at the CCDA office.
The dated Voucher Estimate Request is signed by CCDA and must be presented to one of the CCDA car repair partners within 3 days from the Voucher Estimate Request date and the car repair must be completed within 10 days from the date of the written estimate otherwise it is void. CCDA calls the car repair partner and informs them that we are sending a client for a repair estimate, providing the client’s name and the car year/make/model. The client presents a properly authorized Voucher Estimate Request and a valid Virginia driver’s license to the CCDA car repair partner. Once the repair estimate is completed and authorized by the CCDA Case Coordinator, the work can begin.
*CCDA is closed on Federal holidays and weekends.
Referral and Liability disclaimer:
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington (CCDA) provides referrals to clients for specific automotive repair mechanics, in order to provide financial assistance for vehicle, repairs related to passing Virginia emissions and safety inspections. CCDA does not own, operate, manage, or control the services provided by any referred party and makes no representations or warranties regarding their actions or services.
The client acknowledges that any engagement with a referred automotive repair mechanic is undertaken at the client’s own risk. CCDA shall not be liable for any acts, omissions, damages, losses, or claims arising out of or related to services provided by the referred mechanic.
Further, CCDA shall not be responsible for any damages, losses, or claims arising from the repossession of a client’s vehicle while in possession of the referred mechanic, including but not limited to any damage caused to the mechanic’s premises, equipment, or other property as a result of such repossession.
The client agrees to indemnify and hold harmless CCDA from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, and expenses arising from the client’s use of or interaction with the referred service provider.
I have read and understand these Emergency Assistance Guidelines for Car Repair. I also understand and agree that CCDA does not guarantee the work performed by the auto repair partner. Clients must take total responsibility for the car repair process and recognize that CCDA is only providing monetary assistance for this repair. Any future repairs to my vehicle are client’s responsibility.
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