The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) today announced that $150,000 is being made available to help low-income families in the Mohawk Valley secure reliable transportation in order to get to work and remain employed. The funding opportunity was announced as part of Governor Cuomo’s “Capital for a Day” in Utica on Thursday.

One organization will be selected through a competitive process to receive the funding and operate a Wheels for Work program. The program is designed to help individuals overcome a major barrier to employment faced by low-income households, especially in more rural areas – a lack of access to transportation.

“The lack of reliable transportation has been regularly cited by low-income New Yorkers, especially those with children, as a contributing factor to them being unemployed,” said OTDA Commissioner Samuel D. Roberts. “The Wheels for Work program can make a tremendous difference in the lives of individuals, greatly expanding their job opportunities by allowing them to get to work without having to rely on others for a ride or depending on public transportation, which may not always be available when needed. Being able to hold a steady job will bring in a steady paycheck and enable low-income families to move out of poverty and become self-sufficient.”

Wheels for Work provides working families with cars and vehicle-related services that are needed in order to maintain or accept employment. The program can help low-income individuals access a car by providing for necessary down payments, low- or no-interest car loans, car repairs, insurance, assistance with license and registration fees and drivers’ training.