What you can get
A payment for having a qualifying old vehicle permanently scrapped
Who it's for
California owners of an old car or light truck
What you need to know
- You must be the registered owner.
- Smog-test and income rules decide which payment applies.
- The vehicle must pass inspection and drive to an approved dismantler.
More details and sources
Full program information
Official program name: Old Vehicle Retirement
Benefits and limits
Tier-dependent: $1,500-$2,000 for old car or truck; $1,350 for old car or truck
DHS-area benefit information: $1,500-$2,000 for old car or truck; $1,350 for old car or truck
Amounts can differ by location and project. Use the program's current rules to find the amount that applies.
Full requirements
The applicant must be the vehicle's registered owner and meet California registration and vehicle-operation requirements; eligible passenger vehicles, trucks, SUVs and vans must weigh 10,000 pounds or less. The $1,350 pathway requires a failed Smog Check but has no income test. The $1,500 and $2,000 pathways require household income at or below 225% of the federal poverty level; the former accepts a completed pass-or-fail Smog Check within 180 days, while the latter requires a failed inspection. The vehicle must pass the contracted dismantler's inspection and be driven there under its own power.
Read the program's requirements Checked Oct 30, 2026
Key requirements, not complete provider checklist. Final eligibility, address and funding decisions belong to the provider.
Amounts and options
The finder reports more than one benefit tier. Do not add the amounts together; confirm the applicable tier and requirements with the provider.
Option 1
$1,500-$2,000 for old car or truck
Eligibility is not stated in the finder listing; confirm the provider's requirements.
Found for the DHS area; check your address and requirements.
For: People and families
Areas found for this option
Adelanto, Anza, Apple Valley, Banning, Barstow, Beaumont, Bermuda Dunes, Big Bear City, Big Bear Lake, Blythe, Cabazon, Calimesa, Canyon Lake, Cathedral City, Cherry Valley, Chino, Chino Hills, Coachella, Colton, Corona, Desert Edge, Desert Hot Springs, Desert Palms, Eastvale, Fontana, Garnet, Grand Terrace, Hemet, Hesperia, Highland, Idyllwild-Pine Cove, Indian Wells, Indio, Indio Hills, Joshua Tree, Jurupa Valley, La Quinta, Lake Arrowhead, Lake Elsinore, Loma Linda, Mecca, Menifee, Montclair, Moreno Valley, Murrieta, Needles, Norco, North Shore, Oasis, Ontario, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Perris, Rancho Cucamonga, Rancho Mirage, Redlands, Rialto, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Jacinto, Sky Valley, Temecula, Thermal, Thousand Palms, Twentynine Palms, Upland, Victorville, Vista Santa Rosa, Whitewater, Wildomar, Yucaipa, Yucca Valley
Option 2
$1,350 for old car or truck
Eligibility is not stated in the finder listing; confirm the provider's requirements.
Found for the DHS area; check your address and requirements.
For: People and families
Areas found for this option
Adelanto, Anza, Apple Valley, Banning, Barstow, Beaumont, Bermuda Dunes, Big Bear City, Big Bear Lake, Blythe, Cabazon, Calimesa, Canyon Lake, Cathedral City, Cherry Valley, Chino, Chino Hills, Coachella, Colton, Corona, Desert Edge, Desert Hot Springs, Desert Palms, Eastvale, Fontana, Garnet, Grand Terrace, Hemet, Hesperia, Highland, Idyllwild-Pine Cove, Indian Wells, Indio, Indio Hills, Joshua Tree, Jurupa Valley, La Quinta, Lake Arrowhead, Lake Elsinore, Loma Linda, Mecca, Menifee, Montclair, Moreno Valley, Murrieta, Needles, Norco, North Shore, Oasis, Ontario, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Perris, Rancho Cucamonga, Rancho Mirage, Redlands, Rialto, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Jacinto, Sky Valley, Temecula, Thermal, Thousand Palms, Twentynine Palms, Upland, Victorville, Vista Santa Rosa, Whitewater, Wildomar, Yucaipa, Yucca Valley
Availability and area
Provider availability not verified
Listed in the finder; current funding, enrollment and applicant eligibility require provider confirmation.
This program was found while researching help in the Desert Hot Springs area. The program must confirm the address and applicant qualify.
Areas listed in the source
Adelanto, Anza, Apple Valley, Banning, Barstow, Beaumont, Bermuda Dunes, Big Bear City, Big Bear Lake, Blythe, Cabazon, Calimesa, Canyon Lake, Cathedral City, Cherry Valley, Chino, Chino Hills, Coachella, Colton, Corona, Desert Edge, Desert Hot Springs, Desert Palms, Eastvale, Fontana, Garnet, Grand Terrace, Hemet, Hesperia, Highland, Idyllwild-Pine Cove, Indian Wells, Indio, Indio Hills, Joshua Tree, Jurupa Valley, La Quinta, Lake Arrowhead, Lake Elsinore, Loma Linda, Mecca, Menifee, Montclair, Moreno Valley, Murrieta, Needles, Norco, North Shore, Oasis, Ontario, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Perris, Rancho Cucamonga, Rancho Mirage, Redlands, Rialto, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Jacinto, Sky Valley, Temecula, Thermal, Thousand Palms, Twentynine Palms, Upland, Victorville, Vista Santa Rosa, Whitewater, Wildomar, Yucaipa, Yucca Valley
Where this information comes from
Information collected Oct 30, 2026.
DHSed is an independent guide. The program makes the final decision about help, amounts and rules.