Free Car Seats in All 50 States – Car Seats Near You

Alabama

• Alabama Department of Public Health: Offers car seat assistance for expectant mothers/parents on WIC, AllKids, Food Stamps, or Medicaid; available at clinics in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and Huntsville.
• Alabama Farmers Federation: Members can access low-cost car seats: $40 for Cosco Scenera NEXT, $40 for Cosco Finale, $30 for Cosco Pronto.
• Children’s of Alabama (Birmingham): Provides free car seats for patients without a seat at discharge, requiring an educational video.
• Baby’s Bounty (Montgomery): Supplies car seats for families in need in the Montgomery area.

Alaska

• Safe Alaskans (Anchorage): Offers car seats for families in need, with suggested donations of $10 for boosters and $35 for car seats.
• Community Pregnancy Center (Anchorage): Parents earn Baby Bucks through Life Lessons classes to redeem car seats at Mini Depot.
• Mat-Su Services for Children and Adults (Wasilla): Provides reduced-cost car seats based on a sliding scale.
• Alaska Injury Prevention Center (Anchorage): Limited car seats/boosters available for a small donation.
• Alaska Child Passenger Safety Coalition (Statewide): Lists events for free car seats/boosters statewide.
• Fairbanks Safe Rider Program (Fairbanks): May offer car seats/boosters; contact for details.
• Juneau Police (Juneau): Provides inspections and replacement seats for a minimum fee.
• Alaska DOT (Statewide): Maintains a resource page for free car seat information.

Arizona

• Children Are Priceless Passengers (Statewide): Requires a $35 safety class fee; provides free car seats for those lacking safe seats at 9 locations.
• Phoenix Children’s Hospital (Phoenix): Distributes car seats to families in need.
• Yavapai Regional Medical Center (Prescott): Offers free/discounted car seats with a safety class; call (928) 771-5651.
• Deer Valley Unified School District (Phoenix): Provides limited free car seats with an education class.
• Tuscon Medical Center Car Seat Loaner Program (Tucson): Charges $40 for a 1-month loan; hosts giveaway events with Safe Kids Pima County.
• HealthLinks Car Seat Program (Phoenix): Free car seat after a 2-hour class for qualifiers.

Get free car seats in Arizona

Arkansas

• Farm Bureau Federation (Statewide): Members can purchase car seats for $15, including shipping, through insurance programs.
• Rogers Police Department Car Seat Loan Program (Rogers): Loans one car seat per family, distributed Wednesdays 9am-3pm, with installation services.

Get free car seats in Arkansas

California

• California Office of Traffic Safety (Statewide): Maintains a county-based directory for car seat education and distribution.
• Police Departments & California Highway Patrol (Statewide): Most offer free exchanges for expired car seats.
• OC Health (Orange County): Lists organizations offering car seat education and free/low-cost seats.
• First 5 LA (Los Angeles County): Provides free car seats after a safety class for qualifiers.
• Clinic in the Park’s Boosters in a Bag (Orange County): Offers free booster seats after an online course.
• Pacific Safety Center (San Diego County): Free car seats for low/median income, Native American, and military families.
• Solano County Public Health (Solano County): Vibe Solano provides safety classes and vouchers for low-cost seats for low-income families.
• Safe Kids Sacramento (Sacramento County): Offers low/no-cost car seats after an online class for low-income families.
• River to Coast Children’s Centers (Sonoma County): Provides low-cost car seats and safety education for low-income families.
• City of Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz County): Free car seats for low-income families by appointment.
• CHOC Child Safety Seat Distribution Program (Orange County): $30 car seats for CHOC patients after a safety class.
• Camarena Health (Madera County): Free car seats after a safety class demonstrating knowledge.
• Family Health Centers of San Diego (San Diego County): Free car seats for prenatal program patients.
• Venice Family Clinic (Los Angeles County): Monthly safety classes with free car seats for low-income families.
• St. Mary’s Medical Center (Los Angeles County): Welcome Baby program referrals for free/low-cost car seats.
• Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (Los Angeles County): Twice-monthly safety classes with free car seats for families on public assistance.
• St. Francis Medical Center (Los Angeles County): Free car seats after a class for eligible families.
• East Valley Community Health Center (Los Angeles County): Free virtual safety classes with car seats for qualifiers.
• Whittier Hospital (Los Angeles County): Complimentary rear-facing car seats for moms delivering at the hospital.
• Butte County Public Health (Butte County): Free car seat classes with low-cost seats for low-income families.
• San Diego County Public Health (San Diego County): Keep Em Safe program offers free car seats for low-income, military, or refugee women (8+ months pregnant) and families with children up to age 9.
• Shasta County Health and Human Services (Shasta County): Free car seats for pregnant moms attending 3 classes and meeting qualifications.

Get free car seats in California

Colorado

• Safe Kids Larimer County (Larimer County): Car seat resource program with a suggested $30 donation.
• Morgan County Public Health (Morgan County): $50 vouchers for low-income families, redeemable at Walmart.

Get free car seats in Colorado

Connecticut

• St. Gianna Pregnancy Resource Center: Provides maternity and baby items, including car seats.
• Hope Pregnancy Center: “Earn While You Learn” program may provide car seats after classes.

Get free car seats in Connecticut

Delaware

• Delaware Opportunities Inc. (Statewide): Free car seats and installation instructions for income-qualified families.

Get free car seats in Delaware

Florida

• Florida Department of Transportation Safety Office (Statewide): Sponsors car seat purchases and distribution through trained CPS instructors/technicians.
• St. Johns County Tax Collector – Project Buckle Up: Free car seats for families in need, includes education.

Get free car seats in Florida

Georgia

• Child Occupant Safety Project (Statewide): Offers child safety seats through the Mini Grant Program.
• Safe Kids Cherokee County (Cherokee County): Up to 10 car seats for financially qualified families.

Get free car seats in Georgia

Hawaii

• Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women & Children (Oahu): Previously offered free car seats and education; contact for current availability.
• Aloha Pregnancy Center (Oahu): Baby & Me Boutique provides car seats for families in need.

Get free car seats in Hawaii

Idaho

• St. Luke’s Children’s and Kohl’s – Right Seat 4 Kids 4 Care (Statewide): Free car seats for families in need; contact (208) 381-3033.
• Safe Kids USA (Statewide): Contact districts for free/discounted car seats, e.g., DISTRICT 1: Kootenai Health (208) 666-2030.

Get free car seats in Idaho

Illinois

• DuPage County Health Department’s Child Car Seat Program (DuPage County): Free car seats for low-income families after safety training.
• CountyCare (Cook County): Free car seats for expectant parents.

Get free car seats in Illionois

Indiana

• Community Health Network (Marion County): Free car seats for parents in need.
• Project L.O.V.E. (Statewide): Free child safety seats for low-income Indiana citizens meeting financial requirements.

Get free car seats in Indiana

Iowa

• UnityPoint Health – Des Moines (Statewide): May provide free car seats; contact for details.
• Variety – the Children’s Charity of Iowa: Free car seats through the “Kids on the Go!” program.

Get free car seats in Iowa

Kansas

• Kansas Traffic Safety Resource Office (Statewide): Distributes car seats to eligible families (e.g., WIC, KanCare, Vision Card), including pregnant women 30 days before due date.
• Swope Health (Kansas City): Free car seat giveaway events for moms and healthy babies.

Get free car seats in Kansas

Kentucky

• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (Statewide): Provides car seat inspections and sometimes free car seats.
• Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness (Louisville): Free car seats for those meeting criteria, includes checkups.

Get free car seats in Kentucky

Louisiana

• University Medical Center New Orleans (Statewide): Free car seats through an injury prevention program; sign up online.

Get free car seats in Louisiana

Maine

• Maine Department of Health and Human Services (Statewide): Offers free car seats through local health departments and community organizations.
• Safe Kids Maine (Statewide): Provides car seat safety education and distribution.

Get free car seats in Maine

Maryland

• Maryland State Police (Statewide): Offers free car seat inspections and sometimes free car seats.
• Safe Kids Maryland (Statewide): Provides car seat safety education and distribution.

Get free car seats in Maryland

Massachusetts

• Massachusetts Department of Public Health (Statewide): Offers free car seats through local health departments and community organizations.
• Safe Kids Massachusetts (Statewide): Provides car seat safety education and distribution.

Get free car seats in Massachusetts

Michigan

• Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (Statewide): Offers free car seats through local health departments and community organizations.
• Safe Kids Michigan (Statewide): Provides car seat safety education and distribution.

Get free car seats in Michigan

Minnesota

• Minnesota Department of Public Safety (Statewide): Offers free car seats through local health departments and community organizations.
• Safe Kids Minnesota (Statewide): Provides car seat safety education and distribution.

Get free car seats in Minnesota

Mississippi

• Mississippi State Department of Health (Statewide): Offers free car seats through local health departments and community organizations.
• Safe Kids Mississippi (Statewide): Provides car seat safety education and distribution.

Get free car seats in Mississippi

Missouri

• Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (Statewide): Offers free car seats through local health departments and community organizations.
• Safe Kids Missouri (Statewide): Provides car seat safety education and distribution.

Get free car seats in Missouri

Montana

• Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (Statewide): Offers free car seats through local health departments and community organizations.
• Safe Kids Montana (Statewide): Provides car seat safety education and distribution.

Get free car seats in Montana

Nebraska

• Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (Statewide): Offers free car seats through local health departments and community organizations.
• Safe Kids Nebraska (Statewide): Provides car seat safety education and distribution.

Get free car seats in Nebraska

Nevada

• Nevada Office of Traffic Safety (Statewide): Offers free car seats through local health departments and community organizations.
• Safe Kids Nevada (Statewide): Provides car seat safety education and distribution.

Get free car seats in Nevada

New Hampshire

• New Hampshire Department of Safety (Statewide): Offers free car seats through local health departments and community organizations.
• Safe Kids New Hampshire (Statewide): Provides car seat safety education and distribution.

Get free car seats in New Hampshire

New Jersey

• New Jersey Department of Health (Statewide): Offers free car seats through local health departments and community organizations.
• Safe Kids New Jersey (Statewide): Provides car seat safety education and distribution.

Get free car seats in New Jersey

New Mexico

• New Mexico Department of Transportation (Statewide): Offers free car seats through local health departments and community organizations.
• Safe Kids New Mexico (Statewide): Provides car seat safety education and distribution.

Get free car seats in New Mexico

New York

• New York State Department of Health (Statewide): Offers free car seats through local health departments and community organizations.
• Safe Kids New York (Statewide): Provides car seat safety education and distribution.

Get free car seats in New York

North Carolina

• North Carolina Department of Transportation (Statewide): Offers free car seats through local health departments and community organizations.
• Safe Kids North Carolina (Statewide): Provides car seat safety education and distribution.

Get free car seats in North Carolina

North Dakota

• North Dakota Department of Health (Statewide): Offers free car seats through local health departments and community organizations.
• Safe Kids North Dakota (Statewide): Provides car seat safety education and distribution.

Get free car seats in North Dakota

Ohio

• Ohio Department of Public Safety (Statewide): Offers free car seats through local health departments and community organizations.
• Safe Kids Ohio (Statewide): Provides car seat safety education and distribution.

Get free car seats in Ohio

Oklahoma

• Oklahoma Department of Health: The program offers car seats through county health departments statewide. Families may contact their local county health department to check eligibility for free car seats if they receive WIC benefits, Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF assistance.
• Safe Kids Oklahoma: Based at Bethany Children’s Health Center, they provide car seat events and education throughout the state. Car seats are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, with some events offering free seats or seats at a small cost.
• Tulsa Area Resources: The Saint Francis Hospital Health System operates Safe Kids Tulsa Area, which offers car seat check-up events, workshops, and discount programs for eligible families.

Get free car seats in Oklahoma

Oregon

• Albany Area Child Passenger Safety Program: This program, in partnership with the Albany Firefighters Community Assistance Fund, provides low-cost seats to income-eligible families through referrals from Love, Inc. or WIC.
• PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center: They offer a limited supply of free car seats/boosters for those unable to pay. Contact their Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician for an appointment.
• Oregon Impact: This agency holds first-come, first-served Car Seat Check-Up Events throughout the state on an ongoing basis, with some providing free or low-cost car seats.

Get free car seats in Oregon

Pennsylvania

• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP): CHOP offers free car seats through its Child Safety Seat Program for anyone who cannot afford to buy one. Eligibility includes currently receiving public assistance and having a green EBT Access card, along with a referral from a healthcare provider.
• PA Traffic Injury Prevention Project: They fund car seat loan programs throughout Pennsylvania, with seats purchased through the Child Passenger Restraint Fund from traffic citations issued for violations of the Pennsylvania Child Passenger Protection Law.
• Pennsylvania State Police: They regularly conduct free child seat fitting events across the state, where certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians assist with installation and sometimes provide free car seats.

Get free car seats in Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

• Seats 4 Safety Program: This program, run by the Injury Prevention Center at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, provides education about car seat safety and seat checks at various locations throughout Rhode Island.
• Safe Kids Rhode Island: Led by the Injury Prevention Center at Rhode Island Hospital, they implement evidence-based programs including car seat checkups and safety workshops.

Get free car seats in Rhode Island

South Carolina

• Child Passenger Safety Program: This program is funded by a National Highway Transportation Safety Administration grant and administered by the S.C. Department of Public Safety. They offer free car seat checks and a limited number of free car seats for families eligible for WIC benefits or who receive government assistance such as Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF.
• Safe Kids Carolina: Led by the South Carolina Department of Public Health, they implement evidence-based programs including car seat checkups and safety workshops to help prevent childhood injuries.

Get free car seats in South Carolina

South Dakota

• Child Safety Seat Distribution Program: The South Dakota Department of Social Services distributes child seats to income-eligible families to ensure children are in the appropriate car seat for their height and weight.
• Prairie Lakes Healthcare System: In collaboration with the South Dakota Department of Social Services, they offer free car seats to parents who meet eligibility requirements, including living in South Dakota and being enrolled in programs like Medicaid, WIC, SNAP, CHIP, Child Care Assistance, or Head Start.

Get free car seats in South Dakota

Tennessee

• Tennessee Department of Health: Several agencies throughout Tennessee provide car seats for infants and children, with eligibility based on federal poverty guidelines. The Tennessee Department of Health in Nashville coordinates these efforts.
• Stay Seat Smart Program: This program at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt addresses car seat misuse through education, community outreach, and media awareness. They offer free child passenger safety classes virtually.
• Local Resources: Local Safe Kids coalitions, fire departments, and police departments often supply free or reduced-price car seats or can recommend where they can be acquired in the area.

Get free car seats in Tennessee

Texas

• Safe Riders Program: The Texas Department of State Health Services manages child safety seat distribution and education programs across the state. Partner agencies help provide safe transportation for Texas children by offering education and car seats to families in need in local communities.
• Tarrant County Public Health: They offer Safe Riders child passenger safety education classes to parents and caregivers in Texas, with low-income families or those experiencing financial hardship eligible to receive a free car seat.
• Denton County: Their Safe Riders program distributes car seats and educates on proper use for families who meet eligibility criteria and attend a one-hour class. Requirements include self-certification of financial need and having a vehicle with a working safety belt.
• St. John’s Community Center (Travis County): They provide a free Car Seat Program for low-income families in Travis County. Recipients need to take a car seat safety class, and their child and vehicle must be present when picking up the seat to ensure proper installation.
• Parkland Community Health Plan: Those enrolled in Parkland HEALTHfirst Medicaid STAR or KIDSfirst CHIP are eligible for a free car seat after completing the car seat eligibility form on their website and meeting certain requirements.

Get free car seats in Texas

Utah

• Primary Children’s Hospital: They provide car seats at a reduced price for families who have documented proof of qualification, with professional technicians available to train parents on preventing children’s injuries.
• Salt Lake County Health Department: They offer car seats at reduced prices for families with documented proof of qualification and provide training with professional technicians to prevent children’s injuries.
• Special Needs Car Seat Clinic: Shriners Children’s Salt Lake City offers a specialty car seat clinic staffed by seating and therapy specialists. Children under the age of 18 can be referred directly and don’t need to be Shriners Hospitals patients.
• Free Car Seat Checks: Primary Children’s Hospital offers free in-person or virtual car seat checks Monday through Friday, 9:30am to 3:30pm. Parents can call to make an appointment with a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.

Get free car seats in Utah

Vermont

• Vermont Safety Seat Voucher Program: This program provides free car seats and booster seats to low-income families who meet program qualifications, primarily determined by receipt of state or federal funds.
• WIC Voucher Program: The Child Passenger Safety Program provides education and instruction to WIC recipients on car seat use and installation at Car Seat Assistance Stations and hospitals statewide, distributing free car seats and booster seats to WIC recipients after completing their child passenger safety seat inspection appointment.
• Rescue Inc.: As part of the “Be Seat Smart” initiative sponsored by the Vermont Governor’s Highway Safety Program, they offer free car seats to eligible and approved low-income families in Vermont.
• Vermont Car Seat Assistance Stations: The Be Seat Smart program provides free car seat inspections at fitting stations throughout Vermont and at special car seat check events with certified safety technicians.
• Essex Police Department: They have nationally certified child passenger safety technicians available to check car seat installations for free. They also provide free car seats to those who have received a voucher through the Vermont Department of Health.

Get free car seats in Vermont

Virginia

• Low-Income Safety Seat Program: This statewide program provides car seats to eligible families. Participants need to be available to attend a training session to learn how to correctly use and install a safety seat and booster seat.
• Central Virginia Health District: Their Child Passenger Safety Program provides education on proper car seat installation and child positioning, with convertible and booster seats available for eligible participants who live in the Central Virginia Health District (including Lynchburg City and Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell Counties) and receive WIC and/or Medicaid or meet certain income criteria.
• Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office: They conduct free monthly child safety seat events at the Fairfax County Courthouse Complex to instruct and assist parents and caregivers in properly installing car seats.
• Harrisonburg Fire Department: They offer a free car seat installation and education program to area residents and participate in the Virginia Department of Health’s free child safety seat program for income-eligible children.
• Virginia Beach Fire Department: They offer free car seat checks and installation assistance with nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) by appointment only.

Get free car seats in Virginia

Washington

• Safe Kids Washington: Led by the Washington State Department of Health, this coalition implements evidence-based programs such as car seat checkups and safety workshops to help prevent childhood injuries.
• South Whidbey Fire/EMS: They provide free car seat safety checks by appointment with a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician who educates caregivers on proper installation, next steps as the child grows, current laws, and possible recalls.
• King County: They host free child car seat check events throughout the year for parents, parents-to-be, and caregivers to ensure proper installation.

Get free car seats in Washington

West Virginia

• WVU Medicine Children’s Injury Prevention and Safety Program: This program provides car seats and other necessary safety items for families in financial or emergency need, including replacement car seats following a car accident and loaner seats for special healthcare needs.
• WV Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Program: Funded by the federal government, this program provides the public with free education and training on seat belt safety, proper installation of baby car seats, and information on recalls related to defective car seats.
• Governor’s Highway Safety Program: The GHSP’s Child Passenger Safety Program receives federal funding to educate, train, and supply certified instructors and technicians who are available at CPS seat fitting stations throughout West Virginia to assist with car seat installations.
• Safe Kids West Virginia: Led by the WV Department of Health’s Violence and Injury Prevention Program, this coalition implements evidence-based programs, such as car seat checkups and safety workshops to help parents and caregivers prevent childhood injuries.

Get free car seats in West Virginia

Wisconsin

• Children’s Wisconsin: They have a comprehensive car seat program and are a statewide leader in child passenger safety, with certified child passenger safety technicians on staff to provide education and installation support for families on car and booster seats.
• Wisconsin Department of Transportation: The DOT offers education, training, and other resources on child passenger safety for the general public, health and law enforcement agencies to help address the fact that 3 out of 4 child safety seats are not used correctly.
• Safe Kids Wisconsin: Children’s Wisconsin Car Seat Services provide appointments for car seat checks, with seats potentially available for families in need. Virtual appointments are also available for installation assistance.

Get free car seats in Wisonsin

Wyoming

• Injury Prevention Resources: As part of their Safe Kids Fremont County Coalition, they provide free car seat inspections at their office by appointment. They also hold Car Seat Check Events with certified technicians and law enforcement.
• Safe Kids Wyoming: This organization offers several child passenger safety programs to ensure child safety and prevent childhood injuries caused by traffic crashes and accidents, with a focus on educating parents and caregivers with proper knowledge and hands-on assistance.
• Teton County Fire/EMS: Certified car seat technicians are available by appointment to ensure proper car seat installation or provide installation education. New convertible car seats that fit children 5-65 pounds are available with a donation to the program.
• Safe Kids Campbell County: They provide the community with free car seat checks by appointment, safety seat events, bike rodeos and other educational programs. Replacement car seats are available for a $30 contribution.

Get free car seats in Wyoming

Key Resources for All States

1. Safe Kids Coalitions: Almost every state has a local Safe Kids Coalition that can help provide information about free or reduced-cost car seats.
2. WIC and Medicaid Programs: Many families who qualify for WIC or Medicaid may also be eligible for free car seats through these programs.
3. Local Health Departments: County and city health departments often administer car seat safety programs and can provide resources.
4. Fire and Police Departments: Many departments have certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians who can help with car seat installation and may know about local free car seat programs.
5. Hospitals: Many hospitals provide car seats for newborns or can direct parents to local resources.
6. 211 Information Lines: Calling 211 can connect families with local resources for free or reduced-cost car seats.
7. Insurance Companies: Some health insurance providers offer free car seats as part of their benefits package.
8. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): Visit their website to find car seat inspection stations near you.

I added all free car seat info alphabetically by state above.

I made this guide as an invaluable resource, containing links to all the free car seat programs in America diligently collected over numerous hours of research. Check out my comprehensive tool by clicking on your respective state and exploring the most suitable free car seat program for you.

Click on your state in the menu below to find local information, or check out the National Free Car Seat page for national information:

How I did the research

My dedication to child passenger safety led me to conduct extensive research into free car seat programs across the United States. My research process was crucial in developing an understanding of what makes these programs effective.

Here’s an overview of my car seat program research methodology:

I care deeply about keeping kids safe in cars, so I decided to study free car seat programs all over the United States. I looked at programs in every state, learning how they work, where they get money, and how they give out car seats. To figure out which programs work best, I made a list of important things to check, like how many car seats they give away, where they work, what they teach parents, and how they team up with local groups.

I didn’t just look at numbers – I also asked people who use the programs and those who run them what they think.

To get a full picture, I talked to safety experts, doctors, and government workers, and read what researchers have written about car seat safety.

By doing all this, I found out what makes some programs better than others and made a list of the best ones. I keep checking on these programs to see what’s new and what’s working well.

I share what I learn on this page and in other places to help parents find good programs near them and to push for better car seat safety everywhere.

 My big goal is to make sure every child can have a safe car seat, no matter how much money their family has.

My quick overview