Would you have to travel frequently with your newborn but cannot afford a car seat? No need to worry about it, as we are going to guide you on how to get a free car seat through Medicaid 2022.
Medicaid is a government insurance program for people who cannot afford some basic health safety-related stuff for themselves or their families.
There are some rules to qualify for the Medicaid free car seat that vary from state to state. However, you can try your luck by following the steps provided in this guide to be eligible for the Medicaid car seat.
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What Medicaid is?
You may have heard about Medicaid; read below to know more about what Medicaid is and what services it provides to US citizens.
Medicaid is a government-sponsored insurance program, also referred to as a health care program, that supports unprivileged citizens who cannot afford hospitalization, doctor visits, child care, expenses etc.
It is working in the whole 50 states of the USA and is now titled one of the largest health and care funding sources in the US.
It is currently working with the CHIP (Child Care Insurance Program) with the goal of providing medical and other child safety services (from diapers to baby car seats) to those who cannot afford private insurance.
Read below to know how to get a free car seat through Medicaid 2022.
How to Get a Free Car Seat Through Medicaid 2022? Get Verified in Medicaid Car Seat Program
You will have to buy 4 types of car seats by age of your child until they have grown enough to start wearing a vehicle seat belt.
To have a free baby car seat, you have to qualify for it. The Eligibility of the Medicaid car seat program varies from state to state.
You have to apply on your state’s Medicaid Official Website and then follow the below-mentioned steps:
Step#1: Register Your Family
A very general eligibility criterion is “you must be below the state’s determined poverty line” to get a free car seat. Income limits for every US state are different and can find out on their official website.
Step#2: Submit the Required Documents
After registration, the department will ask for your basic documents, including income slips, marriage certificates, bills, etc.
Step#3: Mandatory Phone Call Interview
After documents have been submitted, you will be called for an interview. This interview is mandatory to give to get enlisted in the candidates to be selected for free car seats.
Step#4: Receive Your Medicaid Health Insurance Card
To be called for a Medicaid Health Insurance Card means that you have been qualified for a Medicaid car seat (and for any other medical service within the state), and is time to follow the remaining steps.
Step#5: Enroll a Course on How To Properly Use A Car Seat
It is Medicaid’s policy to enroll the parents to be trained on the use of baby car seats before providing them to make sure that they are capable of it and will be able to use it safely.
The course will be based on the training on how to use a baby car seat accurately.
Note: these courses are available on Medicaid official website; you can consult Medicaid representatives to take guidance regarding their courses.
Step#6: Receive Your Free Medicaid Car Seat
Once you have cleared your enrolled course, you will be given a free car seat by Medicaid.
PS: You may find the whole procedure regarding how to get a free car seat through Medicaid 2022 a bit difficult, but it will be worth it when you will have a brand new car seat for your little one for free of cost!
Wish you good luck!
Alternative Programs For Free Car Seats – If You Won’t Qualify For Free Car Seat Through Medicaid
Don’t be sad if you have not gotten a free car seat through Medicaid. There are several National Free Car Seat Programs that donate hundreds of car seats every year to families who are unable to buy them for their kids.
Following are some of the well-known organizations that can help you in getting a free car seat for your child of any age.
National Free Car Seat Programs:
Besides Medicaid, the below-listed national programs are actively working to provide you with the best child necessities, including baby car seats.
1. WIC
WIC stands for “Women, Infants, and Children”. It is working under the national free car seat programs and will help you in getting a free car seat for your child.
The procedure to apply and qualify for the WIC free car seat program is the same as “how to get a free car seat through Medicaid 2022” have.
2. Baby2Baby
Baby2Baby is another national free car seat insurance program working to facilitate the parents who are unable to afford the best car seat brands for their children.
It has several partner organizations working in all 50 states of the US; you can contact your local organization to get a free car seat.
Note: Not only for infants, you can get car seats for your older children also, but you must be aware of the requirements for an older child’s car seats.
Car Seat Weight Chart and “What Is The Weight Limit For A Booster Seat will assist you here.
3. 211
Like Medicaid and Baby2Baby, 211 is another National Free Car Seat Program. 211 not only provides free baby car seats but also takes responsibility for food, health, and other basic necessities of your child.
The procedure to get a car seat through 211 is also not complicated and they wouldn’t refer you to other free car seat programs too.
More than 309 million individuals (94.6 percent of the U.S. population), can have 211 services available in all the 50 US states, including Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. They answered 20 million calls from people in 2020 who needed emergency assistance.
Statewide Free Car Seat Program:
Same as nationwide programs, there are several statewide programs that are in action to encourage new parents by providing their children with basic necessities, including baby car seats.
If you have not qualified for the Medicaid free car seat, you can have a lot more options. Just read through the Free Car Seats in All 50 US States (2022)” to find a free car seat program in your state.
Other Free Car Seat Providing Organizations:
The parents who are in need of an urgent car seat for their child and don’t have the time to follow the protocols for National Free Car Seat Programs can get it through the following organizations.
- Maternity Hospitals
- Fire Departments
- Local Police Stations
- Church
- DSS Offices and Social Service
- NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
- Auto Insurance Companies (for example, Blue Cross and Blue Shield)
- Family, Friends, and Neighbors
Note: it is necessary for the parents to buy a car seat that best suits their child’s height, weight, and age limit. Match your child’s car seat requirements in “Car Seat Ages and Stages”.
Mindful Tips Before Using a Medicaid Free Car Seat
We buy car seats to keep our children safe on road trips. If a car seat is not fulfilling that basic requirement, you should invest your time and energy in getting it.
Besides knowing how to get a free car seat through Medicaid 2022, the parents also know the other standards that are mentioned below:
1. Car Seat Expiry Date:
Do you wonder why do car seats have expiration dates?
It is because they have made up of petroleum-based plastic that degrades with the passage of time, making your car seat unsafe for your child.
Therefore, the parents are advised to check the expiration date for the car seat they have gotten from the Medicaid car seat program.
Related: Britax Car Seat Expiry (to reveal how to check car seat expiration limit)
PS: You can also resell your old or expired or damaged car seat in the Walmart car seat trade in 2022 and Target car seat trade in 2022 to get a gift card and 20% coupon for a new car seat.
2. Car Seat Suitability for Your Child:
According to the car seats law, every child is different in its learning and growing capabilities and the parents are responsible for selecting a car seat that best suits to their baby’s age, height and weight.
Therefore, the parents are required to check their child’s suitability for the car seat they are going to get through the Medicaid free car seat program.
Read the “Car Seat Ages and Stages” to decide on the= best car seat for your child.
Conclusion
Don’t be worried about your child’s expenses, and have a read on how to get a free car seat through Medicaid 2022. Follow their protocol to win a Medicaid free car seat.
In case you do not qualify for it, you can try your luck for the other mentioned free car seat programs but never take a risk on your baby’s comfort and safety.
Wish you good luck ☺
Frequently Asked Questions
How to get free diapers with Medicaid?
Medicaid provides free diapers to the children if they are fulfilling the required criteria i.e. if your doctor or physician recommended that diapers are medically essential and are required in the treatment plan for a specific medical condition of your child.
What Amerigroup Louisiana Medicaid covers?
Amerigroup Louisiana Medicaid provides hospital services for both inpatients and outpatients, scans and x-ray services, physician services, prescription drugs, physical therapy, home health management, and case management.
How do I check my Medicaid Alabama online?
To check Medicaid Alabama online, go to their official website, click recipients, click “Medicaid Status, enter the name of the person you want to check for, and get the status in the “Status” column below the name of that person.
