Where Can You Get a Free Car Seat? 11 Reliable Options in All 50 States

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Find out where to get a free car seat near you
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Raising a child is a rewarding and meaningful experience—but it can also be expensive. If you’re on the hunt for a free car seat or booster seat so you can keep your little one safe, we have good news: there are loads of state and local programs, nonprofits, churches, and other organizations that can help! We’ve compiled a list of resources to help you find a free car seat, below.

How to Get a Free Car Seat

  1. Reach out to your local health department: they often give out free car seats.
  2. Check out nonprofits or churches in your area that give out free car seats.
  3. If you qualify for WIC or Medicaid, you may be able to get a seat through them.
  4. Children’s hospitals may have free car seats available for parents in need.
  5. Search Facebook Marketplace and other online markets for free car seats nearby.
1

State or Local Health Departments

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    Look into your state or local health departments: many times, government-run public health organizations will offer free car seats and booster seats or loan them out for free.
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2

Nonprofit Organizations

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    Nonprofits such as Safe Kids Worldwide , United Way , Buckle Up for Life , and Baby2Baby are just a few examples of organizations that serve families in need of car seats and booster seats.
    • Most of these organizations will serve any family who asks for help, but some may only serve low-income families.
    • Reach out through these organizations’ websites for more information, or use Charity Navigator to find other legitimate organizations in your area. [3]
3

Local Churches

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    Many churches work to support their community by donating goods such as car seats and booster seats. Check with a church near you to see what they have to offer or if they can get you involved with a relevant program.
    • You likely don’t need to belong to the church in order to take advantage of outreach programs.
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4

Hospitals and Healthcare Systems

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    Hospitals and healthcare systems, especially children’s medical centers, sometimes offer free supplies to families who demonstrate a need. Check out your local children’s hospital to see what they offer.
5

Pregnancy Centers

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    Centers such as Care Net or the Women’s Choice Network may be able to supply you with a free car seat.
    • Many pregnancy centers are controversial for their biased approach towards pregnancy and for striving to appear as legitimate medical centers without proper licensure or regulatory oversight. [5]
    • Be sure to reach out to the center ahead of time to make sure they are offering free car seats and that you’re eligible. Some centers may have different eligibility requirements.
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6

Medicaid

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    Medicaid is a state and federal program providing health insurance to low-income people in need. [6] As with other programs, you’ll likely have to take a brief safety course prior to getting a car seat.
    • If you don’t already have Medicaid, apply at healthcare.gov or via your state’s Medicaid website.
7

WIC Programs

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    Depending on what state you live in, your WIC —Women, Infants, and Children—program may offer free car seats and booster seats to parents who complete a child passenger safety seat inspection appointment. [7]
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8

Insurance Companies

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    Some insurance companies provide free car seats to insured new mothers or pregnant women. Go to your insurance company’s website or contact their customer service for specific information.
    • If you don’t have an insurance company and are looking, see if you can find one that offers free car seats.
    • Some insurance companies will offer a free car seat upon fulfillment of certain requirements. For example, Healthy Blue requires that expectant mothers attend 11 prenatal appointments. [8]
9

State Car Seat Inspection Stations

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    Firehouses and police departments are examples of state car seat inspection stations, places where certified technicians inspect car seat installation in order to ensure they’re safe and secure. [9] Some car seat inspection stations also offer free car seats to families in need.
    • Locate a state car seat inspection station using the NHTSA’s Child Car Seat Inspection Station Locator .
    • Not all car seat inspection stations will offer free car seats, or they may have limited availability. Call ahead to make sure they can provide a car seat.
    • If your local station can’t provide free seats, they may be able to connect you with a local charity or other organization offering free car seats.
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10

Target's Car Seat Trade-In Event

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    If you've already got a car seat or booster seat and need to upgrade or get a different size for your growing child, bring your used car seat to Target during the event and get a coupon for 20% off of a new one. [10]
    • Target also takes and provides coupons for strollers and other baby gear. [11]
    • Locate Targets in your area using their store finder . Call ahead to ask if your store will be participating in the event.
11

Online Marketplaces

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    People in your neighborhood may have used baby items they no longer need, and they might be prepared to give them away for free. Check out Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist , and other virtual marketplaces to see what might be available nearby.
    • You might also consider posting on social media to see if anyone in your network has access to a car seat they don’t need.
    • While online marketplaces can be a great source of free or cheap used car seats, some people may be wary of taking a used car seat, as its history may be uncertain, or it may be unknowingly expired or recalled. [12]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.usa.gov/state-health usa.gov/state-health
      2. ↑ https://safeconvertiblecarseats.com/blog/free-car-seats/ Safe Convertible Car Seats' directory
      3. ↑ https://www.charitynavigator.org/
      4. ↑ https://www.chop.edu/health-resources/child-safety-seat-program-chop
      5. ↑ https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/why-crisis-pregnancy-centers-are-legal-unethical/2018-03
      6. ↑ https://www.medicaid.gov/
      7. ↑ https://www.healthvermont.gov/family/wic/wic-discounts
      8. ↑ https://www.healthybluesc.com/resources/blog/post/get-free-infant-car-seat-healthy-blue
      9. ↑ https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/car-seats-and-booster-seats#installation-help-inspection
      1. ↑ https://corporate.target.com/sustainability-governance/circularity/waste-elimination-reduction
      2. ↑ https://www.target.com/c/car-seat-trade-in-event/-/N-v41nu
      3. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/car-seats/are-secondhand-car-seats-safe/

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