The government is good for giving you a lot of things, depending on what you have or do. I always enjoyed the farmer in the interview saying "the gov't pays me for not growing beans in this field, tobacco in that field, and for not growing ..."
In the seventies, there was a gov't program for immunization from something, lots of deaths occurred, and maybe that won't be something we do for a while.
Amazing how the G thinks it can spend my money better than me. More amazing is how many people believe that is not a joke.
I don't want to get political and get scolded or banned, etc...
so suffice to say the "clunker" thing is up for vote and we can keep an eye on the results, or lack of.
To answer your questions directly, Dunno, but I thought you had to own the clunker for over a year. Second question - you can count on your gov giving you something. From a hearty handshake to a tax increase in some form.
I live in Crook County, believe me I know how it "works".