The Wichita impound payment plan lets a qualifying owner get a police impounded vehicle back and pay the fees at $25 a month. You must apply within five calendar days of the tow, show proof of low income or public assistance, and pick the car up within a day of approval. The plan covers up to $600.
The details below come from the City of Wichita’s own impound and towing payment plan page. Rules can change, so read the city page before you apply. Its phone number is 316-268-4375.
The Impound Payment Plan at a Glance
| Item | What the city says |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | The registered owner or lessee of a vehicle impounded by the Wichita Police Department |
| Deadline to apply | Five calendar days from the impound or tow |
| Monthly payment | $25, for up to 24 months |
| Processing fee | $5, one time |
| Maximum covered | $600 |
| Vehicle pickup | The day of approval or the day after |
| Payment methods | Credit card, money order or cash |
| Questions | 316-268-4375 |
6 Rules to Qualify for the Impound Payment Plan
1. The vehicle must be yours
You have to be the registered owner or the lessee. The city asks for proof of valid registration and ownership and a copy of a valid government issued photo ID. A friend or relative cannot apply for you.
2. It must be a personal application
The plan is for individuals. Businesses are not eligible.
3. The vehicle cannot be on a hold
If police are holding the vehicle for a criminal investigation, it does not qualify until the hold is lifted.
4. You must show economic disadvantage
The city accepts either of two kinds of proof:
- Public assistance. Evidence that you receive benefits such as SNAP, Social Security, KanCare, TANF, LIEAP, WIC, Section 8 housing or unemployment.
- Income. Proof that your household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty limit.
5. You must apply within five calendar days
Calendar days include weekends. A car towed on a Friday night has already used two days by Monday morning. The application is online, through the “Apply Here” link on the city page.
6. One plan at a time
You cannot be in more than one payment plan at once.
How to Apply for the Impound Payment Plan, Step by Step
- Find the car. Confirm it was a Wichita police impound and which lot has it. See how to find your towed car in Wichita.
- Gather three things. Your registration, your photo ID and your proof of benefits or income. Take clear photos or scans.
- Submit the application. Use the link on the city’s impound page. Do it the same day if you can.
- Wait for the decision. Keep your phone on. If you have a question, call 316-268-4375.
- Make the first payment. The city says the first payment is made at the Express Office at City Hall, in person or by phone.
- Pick up the vehicle right away. You have the day of approval or the next day. Miss that and you lose eligibility. The city also notes that storage fees may apply if pickup is delayed.
- Keep paying. Later payments can be made by phone, in person or online. If no payment is made within 90 days, the account goes to collections.
A Sample Timeline
The impound payment plan clock does not stop for weekends. Here is how the five day window plays out for a car towed on a Friday night.
- Friday night: the car is impounded.
- Saturday and Sunday: days one and two. Use them to gather your documents and submit the online application.
- Monday: day three. Call 316-268-4375 if you have not heard anything.
- Tuesday: day four.
- Wednesday: day five. The window closes.
Once you are approved, the pickup clock starts. You have that day or the next to get the car.
The Waiver for People Experiencing Homelessness
The city page describes a separate one time fee waiver of up to $600. It is for people registered with the Homeless Management Information System or with the Wichita Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Team. Registration has to happen within five days of the impound.
Why So Few Applications Have Been Approved
The plan has had a slow start. When the City Council reviewed towing rates, KSN reported that 26 people had applied, two had been approved and one person had received a vehicle back under the homelessness waiver. Council members asked what the barriers were and requested a review.
KSN did not list the reasons for each denial. Looking at the rules, the tight spots are easy to see: the five day window, the paperwork and the one day pickup. That is why speed matters more than anything else in this process.
Does It Cover Private Property Tows?
The city page describes vehicles impounded by the Wichita Police Department. KSN’s report said the ordinance covers private property tows and police impounds. If your car was towed from an apartment or business lot, call 316-268-4375 and ask if your tow qualifies before you count on the plan. For the rules on those tows, see can your apartment complex tow your car in Wichita.
If You Do Not Qualify
You still have choices, and all of them work better early.
- Get the total today. Ask the lot for the full amount and the daily storage rate. Then you know what each day of waiting costs.
- Bring the right papers the first time. Read what you need to get your car out of impound.
- Get your must have items. See getting your belongings out of a towed car in Kansas.
- Check the bill. If a charge looks wrong, read how to dispute a towing bill.
- Know the clock. An unclaimed vehicle can be sold after the notice steps in state law. See how long a tow company can keep your car.
Questions About the Impound Payment Plan
How much do I pay each month?
$25 a month for up to 24 months, plus a one time $5 processing fee, according to the city.
What if my fees are more than $600?
The city lists $600 as the maximum. Ask at 316-268-4375 how any amount above that is handled before you sign.
Does the plan lower what I owe?
The city page describes monthly installments and a $600 maximum. It does not describe a discount. Ask the city what your total will be before you agree.
Can someone else apply for me?
The applicant must be the registered owner or lessee. For pickups, ask the lot what it needs.
What happens if I miss payments?
The city says an account with no payment in 90 days goes to collections.
How do I avoid an impound in the first place?
Most street impounds start with a car that sat too long. Read how long a car can be parked on the street in Wichita.
Need a Car Moved Before It Is Impounded?
An impound payment plan helps after the fact. A short tow to your driveway or a shop avoids the impound. Call Miller’s Towing & Recovery at 316-351-4754 for towing in Wichita, KS. You get the price before we hook up.