FREE Car Seats for Minnesota Families in Need

Car seats are a necessity for transporting children in your vehicle, but they can be expensive. Did you know that there are organizations across the state that give free car seats for families in need?

The first stop for getting free car seats or discounted car seats is to contact your county or city to see what programs are available. Here are some city/county programs that we found:

• Becker County
• Benton County
• Carver County
• Cass County
• Dakota County
• Freeborn County
• Grand Rapids
• McLeod County
• Meeker County
• Mille Lacs County
• Nicollet County
• Norman County
• Olmsted County
• Pine County
• Polk County
• Renville County
• Scott County
• Sherburne County
• Sibley County
• Steele County
• Watonwan County
• Wright County

In addition, here are some groups in Minnesota that give out free car seats:

Everyday Miracles
Provides free car seats to those with a Minnesota state-sponsored (Medicaid) insurance plan. The car seat will be delivered to your home by a Car Seat Technician who will provide one-on-one safety education.

Baby Blanket & Beyond
Residents of Chisago County or an adjacent community can earn a car seat by watching select car seat safety videos. Free cribs and pack ‘n’ plays can also be earned.

HealthPartners
Provides free car seats to PMAP and Minnesota Care members who watch some training videos and download a brochure. Car seats will be delivered by a Certified Technician (Twin Cities metro area only).

Life Connections
Provides free car seats and safety classes to families whose income falls below the 200% poverty level. The class takes an hour and includes a DVD and a demonstration of process installation and use.

Hennepin Health
Distributes free car seats to Hennepin Health members who register and complete a class at MVNA or NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center in Minneapolis.

UCare
Gives out free car seats and safety education to eligible UCare members. You must set up an appointment with a UCare SEATS partner by calling UCare Customer Services at the number on the back of your member ID card.

Milk Moms
Works with you to get you a free car seat through your insurance, as well as a brief education on how to use and install it. They will also help you get breast pumps and supplies through your insurance.

Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota (Mankato, Rochester, Winona) gives out free infant car seats to eligible families. Parents can also apply for free portable cribs and receive newborn bundles, diapers, and wipes.

Epiphany Caring for Life (Anoka County)
Eligible clients may receive a new infant car seat with installation by a certified technician or a new pack ‘n’ play and safe sleep education. There is an online application available for this service.

New Beginnings
With locations in Deer River and Grand Rapids, this organization offers free infant and converible car seats to those who qualify while supplies last.

And if you would like to get your car seat installation checked for safety purposes, check out this list for available car seat checks in your county. Some of these are free, while others require a fee.

Do you know of any other Minnesota organizations that give out free car seats? If so, please leave a comment so we can keep this list up-to-date. Thank you!