Overview
Volunteer driver programs are community-based transportation services where trained, screened volunteers use their own vehicles to give rides to individuals who can’t drive themselves, typically for medical appointments, essential errands, and community activities. They fill a critical gap between formal paratransit (like Dial-A-Ride) and Medicaid-funded NEMT: they serve people who don’t qualify for either, or who need rides for purposes those programs don’t cover.
Who Benefits Most from Volunteer Driver Programs
Volunteer driver programs tend to be the right fit when:
- Your family member doesn’t have Medicaid (and can’t access NEMT through People For People)
- Your family member needs rides that Dial-A-Ride doesn’t cover, like trips to the grocery store, pharmacy runs, or community outings
- Dial-A-Ride’s advance scheduling window doesn’t work for a particular situation
- Your family member is low-income but not disabled enough to qualify for DAR
- You need supplemental transportation beyond what formal programs provide
Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington — Volunteer Chore Services
The closest thing to a true volunteer driver program in the Tri-Cities. Catholic Charities’ Volunteer Chore Services provides basic in-home assistance, including local transportation, to low-income seniors and adults with disabilities through trained volunteer drivers. Transportation is available for medical appointments, essential errands, and grocery shopping. This is not a dedicated transportation program, but transportation rides are an explicit service within it.
It serves low-income seniors age 55 and older and low-income adults with disabilities age 18 and older.
What They Offer:
- Local transportation to appointments and errands (no long-distance rides)
- Yard work, light housekeeping, laundry, snow shoveling, minor home repairs, and wheelchair ramp installation alongside transportation support
- Senior Companion Program – trained senior volunteers (55+) provide companionship, grocery shopping assistance, and transportation support for isolated seniors and people with disabilities; income-eligible companions receive a small stipend and mileage reimbursement
Important: This program is not emergency transportation and intake takes a few days. Contact them well in advance of your need.
How to Get Started: New clients complete an intake form by phone or mail. Contact Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington’s Tri-Cities office directly to begin.
Catholic Charities Tri-Cities Office
Phone: 509.946.4645
Visit Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington
People For People — Volunteer Drivers Within NEMT Brokerage
People For People, the Medicaid NEMT broker for Benton and Franklin Counties, deploys volunteer drivers as one component of its transportation coordination for eligible clients. When a rider with Medicaid needs a trip and other options (bus pass, gas voucher, taxi) aren’t appropriate, PFP may arrange a volunteer driver directly.
This means volunteer drivers are available through PFP, but only as part of the NEMT program, meaning you must have active Apple Health (Medicaid) and need transportation to a Medicaid-covered health appointment. PFP does not operate a general-purpose volunteer driver service open to the public.
Who It Serves: Apple Health (Medicaid) cardholders in Benton and Franklin Counties needing NEMT
How to Access: Contact People For People at (509) 248-6793. They will determine the most appropriate transportation option for your situation, which may include a volunteer driver when other options aren’t suitable.
People For People NEMT | Toll-Free: 1-800-233-1624
What to Do If None of These Programs Fit
If your family member doesn’t qualify for or can’t access any of the above, here are the practical next steps:
Call 2-1-1. Washington 2-1-1 maintains the most current database of transportation resources in the state, including small faith-based and community volunteer programs that often don’t have a public web presence. A specialist can search for options specific to your situation and zip code. Dial 211 Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, or search at wa211.org.
Ask your faith community. Many churches informally organize rides for members and community members in need, particularly for medical appointments.
Ask your DDA case manager. If your family member is enrolled with DDA, their case manager may know of transportation resources or funding streams that can help bridge gaps, particularly for community integration goals in a person-centered service plan.
Consider a mileage reimbursement arrangement. If a trusted family member, neighbor, or caregiver is willing to drive, People For People’s NEMT program (for Medicaid-eligible riders) offers gas vouchers and mileage reimbursement for personal vehicle trips to medical appointments. This effectively turns a willing driver in your life into a funded volunteer driver for medical trips.
Think ahead about rideshare apps. For individuals with disabilities who can navigate a smartphone app, Lyft and Uber are available in the Tri-Cities and can fill gaps for community trips that don’t require a specially equipped vehicle. These aren’t volunteer programs, fares apply, but they’re a practical supplement for families without other options.
