You will agree with us about “Kids are expensive”, right? However, it doesn’t mean that their safety would be compromised. Other expenses aside, WIC free car seat program is here to give you a free car seat.
Baby car seats are designed to keep children safe and comfortable while on the road. In some states of the US, parents are not allowed to go home with their newborn without a car seat.
Table of Contents
What is WIC?
WIC stands for “Women, Infants, and Children”. It is a national-sponsored health and nutrition program to provide relief to parents who are unable to afford the basic necessities of their children.
The aim of WIC is to:
- Make sure that the pregnant and nursing mothers have enough eatables that are fulfilling all their and their baby’s nutritional needs.
- The eatable stuff that is provided by the WIC includes fruits, eggs, juices, proteins in the form of dry fruits, vitamins (prescribed by the pediatrics), cereals high in folic acids, etc.
- Through their WIC free car seat program, they provide the parents with a free car seat when they fulfill the required documentation
- Take responsibility for mother and child from the first week of pregnancy to the age of 5 years, when the child starts taking solid stuff properly.
- If the mother is not nursing their child, the WIC program’s benefits (baby food and formula milk) will not be for the child.
The baby will receive the benefits up to the age of 5 years only if your child is not allergic to the foodstuff provided by WIC.
Are you interested in knowing the story of WIC? Get to know it in the video linked below:
WIC Free Car Seat Program – Time to Hit the Road
WIC free car seat program works under the national insurance programs to take care of pregnant and nursing mothers as well as children (newborns up to the age of 5 years).
There are 4 types of car seats that every parent buys throughout the car seat period of their child. WIC will have the following options for you:
- A free car seat and parents are allowed to keep it as well
- You will be asked to pay (as much as you can, mostly up to $20) and the rest will be paid by WIC
- WIC Loaner Program: in which you are provided with the free car eat and have to return it when you can afford a new car seat
- Note: if you receive a WIC free car seat by their loan program, remember to ask them the duration of keeping it. It will keep you conscious in budgeting for a new car seat.
- Sometimes parents are given free car seats till their child outgrows it and needs a larger seat
Note: get to know when to upgrade from the infant car seat and when can baby face forward in car seat 2022.
Steps to Get a WIC Free Car Seat
Just like the other free car seat programs, including the Walmart car seat trade in 2022 and Target car seat trade in 2022, there are a few requirements for WIC free car seat also.
How to Get WIC Free Car Seat Program?
Read below to know how to take part in WIC free car seat program:
- Contact your nearest WIC office and ask if the WIC free car seat program is available or not
- Give an application for the program
- Explain well in the application why you need a free car seat and that you are currently a recipient of Foodshare, TANF, WIC, etc.
- Submit your application to the WIC caseworker who will start paperwork according to their free cars eat program
- Keep in touch and wait for the notification to receive the car seat
- Practice to install and uninstall the car seat and how to position and harness the child in it.
- Return the borrowed car seat on time so that the next family (in-line) is able to get it.
Note: to pick up the car seat, you must back to the WIC local office or from the office that is sponsoring and funding the car seat.
Note: learn about the newborn car seat straps correct position and how to adjust Graco car seat straps to make sure that you have installed and harnessed your baby properly.
Other Programs to Get a Free Car Seat
You will need a baby car seat no matter your travel frequently or rarely. If you d not qualify for a WIC free car seat program, you can try your luck in the following National and private free car seat programs.
1. 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.
2. Baby2Baby
Baby2Baby is another national free car seat insurance program working to help needy parents who are unable to afford the best car seat brands for their children.
It has several partner organizations working in all the 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. Vist to learn more about Car Seat Weight Chart.
3. Safe Kids Worldwide
Safe Kids Worldwide’s motive is to “prevent childhood injuries”. It is a non-profit organization actively working to provide poor families and children with basic life and safety necessities.
The procedure to apply and qualify for the Safe Kids Worldwide free car seat program is the same as “how to get a free car seat through Medicaid 2022” have.
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.
- Family, Friends, and Neighbors
- Maternity Hospitals
- NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
- Fire Departments
- Local Police Stations
- Church
- DSS Offices and Social Service
- Auto Insurance Companies (for example, Blue Cross and Blue Shield)
Note: for unavoidable traveling situations, the parents must need a car seat, and for the safety of their child, the car seat should according to the child’s height, weight, and age limit.
Read our article “Car Seat Ages and Stages” to find the best car seat for your child.
Final Words
The parents never want to compromise their child’s safety, especially when it is about newborns and infants (they are the most fragile human version!).
There are various national and private insurance child’s health and safety programs, such as the WIC free car seat program, that are working actively to provide you and your child with every comfort you need.
It works according to the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. You just have to apply for the WIC car seat program and qualify. Not just the car seats, you can get baby diapers, food, accessories, etc., from WIC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do WIC online class WV?
The participants from West Virginia can take part in the online courses by WIC. The course is based on educating pregnant and nursing women about their and their baby’s health, nutrition, and care.
Can I use WIC online class California?
Pregnant and nursing mothers are allowed to use or take part in the WIC online class in California. It has various programs for the participants, such as CalFresh, California’s food stamp program, etc., to educate the participants and guide them whenever they need.
How to apply for WIC Texas online classes?
To apply for WIC Texas online classes, you can make call on their official number 1-855-4-SCDHEC (1-855-472-3432). They offer day, afternoon, and early evening appointments. You can select clinics that may also have evening, walk-in hours, and Saturday classes available.
How to apply for WIC in SC?
To apply for WIC Texas online classes, you can make call on their official number 1-855-4-SCDHEC (1-855-472-3432). They offer day, afternoon, and early evening appointments. You can select clinics that may also have evening, walk-in hours, and Saturday classes available.
When to buy car seat during pregnancy?
You should buy a stroller and baby car seat at least 2- weeks before your delivery date or by 35 weeks. In most cases, babies arrive between 37-41 weeks but you must be prepared before the actual delivery date.
