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

Find out where to get a free car seat near you

Co-authored by Wits End Parenting and Dev Murphy, MA

Last Updated: September 16, 2024 Fact Checked

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

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

1

State or Local Health Departments

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Government-run organizations that oversee public health may help. 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.
- Examples of state-run public health organizations include the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
- Local examples include the Austin Public Health Department in Texas and the Allegheny County Health Department in Pennsylvania.
- If you’re not sure where to begin, go to your specific state or local health department’s official website or contact them via phone. You can also look up your state health department at usa.gov/state-health.^{[1]
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  USA.GOV
  Official website for the United States federal government
  
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- Or, check out Safe Convertible Car Seats' directory of programs by state to find a free car seat program in your area.^{[2]
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- Many organizations will give car seats out to anyone who needs one, but some may only serve low-income families. Most programs will require that you take a brief safety course before receiving a car seat.

2

Nonprofit Organizations

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There are many organizations dedicated to helping families in need. 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]
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3

Local Churches

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A church near you may run an outreach program for families in need. 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.

4

Hospitals and Healthcare Systems

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Many medical institutions offer free car seats to patients in need. 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.
- For instance, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Child Safety Seat Program offers free seats to anyone who can’t afford them.^{[4]
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- Even if your local hospital doesn’t offer free car seats, someone there can likely connect you with a charity or other organization that can help.

5

Pregnancy Centers

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Pregnancy centers often offer supplies to new parents. 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]
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- 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.

6

Medicaid

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If you qualify for Medicaid, you may be eligible for a free car seat. Medicaid is a state and federal program providing health insurance to low-income people in need.^{[6]
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- 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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Check your company’s policy to see if you’re eligible for a car seat. 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]
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9

State Car Seat Inspection Stations

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See if your local firehouse or police department offers free car seats. 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]
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
U.S. government agency responsible for writing and enforcing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

Go to source} 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.

10

Target's Car Seat Trade-In Event

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Target hosts a yearly car seat trade-in event. 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]
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- Target also takes and provides coupons for strollers and other baby gear.^{[11]
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- 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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Many people get rid of their used car seats for free or cheap online. 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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  Consumer Reports
  Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing
  
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