First Wheels Program

First Wheels is a statewide program of the Tennessee RC&D Council which provides no-interest, no-down payment car loans for dependable used cars to eligible participants when transportation is a barrier to finding or keeping a job.

Through the First Wheels Program, qualified applicants can get a car loan with no interest, no money down and low monthly payments.

Since the program's inception, First Wheels has placed 403 vehicles throughout Tennessee, including 48 in the five counties Clinch-Powell RC&D serves. Look below for more information.

Who can get a car through First Wheels? How to apply for First Wheels Program Staff First Wheels Activity Report Clinch-Powell RC&D and First Wheels

Governer Sunquist and TNRCD President Charlene Shelton present a First Wheels customer her keys.

Funding of First Wheels program is provided by the Department of Human Services through a contract with the Tennessee RC&D. The program is set up as a revolving loan fund, so that repayments of loans can be used to provide vehicles to other customers in the future.

Who can get a car loan through first wheels? There are three parts to the qualifying for a First Wheels loan. You must meet ALL threee parts to receive a First Wheels loan. You can download the application, which includes all of these requirements here.

PART 1: Basic Eligibility

To qualify for a First Wheels Loan you must either:

• Be a Families First participant receiving cash benefits.
• Have left Families First and had your case closed within the last 18 months.
• Be employed, receiving food stamps and have a dependent child.
• Be receiving low-income child care assistance.

To qualify for the program, you must:

• Be living in Tennessee
• Be at least 18 years old
• Have either a part-time or full-time job OR, if you are a Families First recipient, you must have unearned income (child support or Social Security benefits)
• Have dependent children living in the home
• Have received Families First cash benefits, Food Stamps or low-income child care assistance for 60 days or more
• Be in compliance with your Personal Responsibility Plan or Food Stamp work requirements for the last 3 months (or the last 3 months you received benefits)
• Have not had a families First or Food Stamp Intentional Program Violation or a claim pending for an Intentinal Program Violation
• Not be paying off another car loan
• Have a need for a car
• Not have previously applied for a First Wheels loan in a county included in the evaluation and was randomly assigned to the control group.

PART II: First Wheels Program Requirements

The First Wheels Program requires the applicant to:

• Completes a personal financial management class.
• Complete a vehicle maintenance class
• Provide a copy of the applicants driver's license, and a copy for all the other adult (over 25) drivers living in the home
• Provide a copy of the driver safety record for the applicant and all adults living in the home. This record must show that:
• The applicant has not had a DUI or DWI in the last 24 months
• No adult drivers in the home have had a DUI or DWI in the last 24 months.
• If any adult drivers in the house have had a serious driving violation in the last three year, the applicant must provide proof of the offender having completed a driver's education course.
• Proof of the ability to obtain liability insurance for all the identified drivers
• Document and demonstrate the ability to afford any placement fees, the monthly payments, regular vehicle maintenance items and liability/uninsured motorist insurance.

PART III: Loan Committee

A loan committee in each county is responsible for reviewing the application to determine the severity of the transportation problems, the applicant's ability to repay and their strategies for attaining self-sufficiency.

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How to apply for a First Wheels Loan You can download the application or go to your local Department of Human Services (DHS) office. Read both pages of the application, which tells you the requirements for getting a loan.

If you have any question, or if you need any help, your local DHS worker will help you. If you cannot reach DHS, contact us at 1-800-814-6355.

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Program Staff

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Activity Reports

Listed below is the most recent First Wheels activity reports.

Clinch-Powell RC&D and First Wheels Clinch-Powell RC&D provides financial management services for the statewide program though an annual contract with the Tennessee RC&D Council.

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“All programs and assistance of the RC&D Council are available without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).”