More Californians Eligible for Financial Help to Repair Polluting Vehicles
SACRAMENTO, Calif.--Sept. 16, 2006--Thousands more low-income California consumers are now qualified to receive financial assistance to help their vehicles pass Smog Check.For the second time this year, the Department of Consumer Affairs Bureau of Automotive Repair (DCA/BAR) has increased the maximum household income for eligibility in the repair assistance option of its Consumer Assistance Program. Now, for example, a family of four qualifies if their annual household income is $45,000 or less. (Please see the Income Eligibility Table below for more details).
"We are happy that thousands more Californians now qualify for help with smog-related repairs," said DCA Director Charlene Zettel. "We estimate this will result in the removal of nearly 88 more tons of pollution from our air each year."
The new income eligibility requirements are the result of AB 383 by Assemblymember Cindy Montanez, which was signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger last year and took effect January 1, 2006. That law raised the maximum household income for eligibility to receive repair assistance. It also authorized DCA/BAR to further increase the maximum income level if there was sufficient funding.
Motorists who meet the income eligibility requirements must pay the first $20 toward diagnosis and/or emissions-related repairs, then the state will pay up to $500 to complete the repairs.
Repair assistance is also offered to any motorist whose vehicle has been directed to a Test Only station for its Smog Check. Those motorists must pay the first $100 toward diagnosis and/or emissions-related repairs, unless they meet the income eligibility requirements.
In addition to repair assistance, CAP also offers any motorist $1,000 to voluntarily retire their high-polluting vehicle rather than have it repaired.
Last year Governor Schwarzenegger launched the "Help California Breathe Easier" campaign to call on Californians to help reduce vehicle-related air pollution and to increase participation in the Consumer Assistance Program. The campaign is also focused on raising awareness about high-polluting vehicles, their contribution to air pollution and the associated negative health effects, particularly on children.
The mission of the California Department of Consumer Affairs is to protect and serve consumers while ensuring a fair and competitive marketplace. We protect and serve consumers by making available information that educates them about their rights and responsibilities. We help ensure a competent and fair marketplace by establishing minimum standards of competency in over 100 business and 200 professional categories -- including doctors, dentists, cosmetologists, contractors, and automotive repair shops. For more information, contact the Department at (800) 952-5210 or visit us online at www.dca.ca.gov.
Income Eligibility Table
Consumer Assistance Program - Repair Assistance Option
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Number of People
In Household(1) 2005 January 1, 2006 NEW
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1 $17,705 $19,600 $22,050
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2 $23,736 $26,400 $29,700
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3 $29,767 $33,200 $37,350
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4 $35,798 $40,000 $45,000
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5 $41,829 $46,800 $52,650
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6 $47,860 $53,600 $60,300
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7 $53,891 $60,400 $67,950
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8 $59,922 $67,200 $75,600
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For more than 8,
add the following $6,031 $6,800 $7,650
amount for each
individual
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(1) "Household" means all family members or other persons who
reside together and share common living expenses.
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