PROJECT JUMPSTART	RETURN TO PREVIOUS PAGE
3505 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite M Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 (631) 648-7100

Purpose: The goal of Project JUMPSTART is to provide low income Long Island residents with the means to access and maintain employment through the provision of used vehicles in excellent condition. Candidates for vehicles are selected by application, and must be working a minimum of 30 hours per week for the past three months and be responsible for a minor child over the age of 6; OR have been working a minimum of 20 hours per week for the past three months and be responsible for a minor child under the age of 6. Applicants must also have a valid driver’s license and be insurable. Participants are required to pay a no-interest car loan at a reduced rate.

Description: To be eligible for a vehicle, candidates must be within 200% of federal poverty guidelines, and must complete an application process which includes employment verification and verification of insurability. A certification committee compromised of representatives from Nassau and Suffolk Department of Social Services and local non-profits review applications and identify recipients. Vehicles are obtained from local used car dealerships. Available vehicles are distributed based on recipient needs. Participants selected to receive vehicles must complete loan applications and will receive a no-interest loan from Astoria Federal Savings, at a cost of $50 per month for 24 months. This will enable individuals to either establish or improve their credit. A case manager assists participants in completing certification and loan applications, monitor payments and help clients resolve employment and/or other problems they may have.

Funding: New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance