10 Easy Ways to Get Free Diapers for Low Income Families

Diaper need is a serious problem facing one out of every three families in the United States. For the person earning the federal minimum wage, Diaper costs alone can make up 8% of their total income.

However, there are many ways to get free diapers to help ease the financial burden of low income families.

To help address diaper needs, the Government and many community-based free diaper programs available that provide diapers for free to needy families

In This article, we will highlight some of the best places where parents can get diapers and wipes for free.

Where Can I Get Free Diapers?

There are many free diaper programs and resources available for families in need.

National Diaper Bank Network

The National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN) is one of the largest organizations providing free diapers for low income families across the United States. It is a nonprofit that connects over 225 member diaper banks that collect, store, and distribute free disposable diapers to struggling families.

According to the NDBN’s 2023 Diaper Check report, nearly 1 in 3 American families cannot afford an adequate supply of diapers for their children.

The NDBN serves around 280,000 infants and children every month through its network of local diaper banks.

The National Diaper Bank was founded in 2011 with support from Huggies. Since then, they have donated over 200 million diapers.

Find Member Diaper Banks near you on the National Diaper Bank website and learn about their application process.

Local NDBN diaper banks receive diaper donations and government funding to provide a recurring supply of free diapers to qualified low income families. Contact your local diaper bank to apply for assistance.

HHS Diaper Distribution Pilot Program

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a new pilot program to distribute diapers to low-income families.

As part of this new program, The HHS funds Community Service Block Grant state associations and tribes through Administration for Children and Families (ACF).

Grant recipients will collaborate with community action agencies, social service agencies, and local diaper banks to help families facing critical diaper needs.

Originally launched in 2022 with $8 million in funding, the program was expanded in 2023 with an additional $8.2 million from HHS. This brings the total federal investment in the HHS free diaper program to $16.2 million, which will support projects in a total of twelve states and two tribes.

TANF Cash Assistance

TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) provides cash assistance to very low-income families with children. TANF grants can be used flexibly to purchase essentials like food, clothing, and diapers.

The cash from TANF benefits can be used to buy diapers, as it comes as a monthly cash grant.

Some states offer additional diaper allowance or subsidies to families who need to purchase diapers.

For example

• In California, families who receive CalWORKs benefits get an extra diaper allowance of $30 per month for each child under 3 years old to help pay for diapers
• Similarly, in Washington, families who qualify for TANF can get an extra monthly diaper subsidy for children who are under 3 years of age.

In this way TANF can be one option for getting help with diaper.

Get Free Diaper Samples from Hospitals and Doctor’s Offices

Many diaper companies like Huggies and Pampers want new parents to try their brand. So they provide free diaper samples to hospitals, doctor’s offices, and clinics.

The company provides free items to parents to encourage them to continue using their product at home.

Here are some tips for scoring free diapers this way:

• Ask your OBGYN or prenatal clinic if they participate in free diaper sample programs. If so, you can get samples for your hospital bag.
• Contact the hospital where you plan to deliver and ask if they distribute free diaper samples. If yes, request them.
• At your baby’s first pediatrician visit, ask if they have any diaper samples to share.
• Check for sample packs in hospital discharge bags – many include free diaper samples.

This way you can save money on diapers.

Medicaid

Certain state Medicaid programs will cover the costs of diapers for children with special health needs and disabilities.

For instance, Texas Medicaid has a Diaper Allowance Program for families of children with qualifying conditions like spina bifida and bladder exstrophy.

Consult your state Medicaid office to find out if health-related diaper assistance exists.

Companies that Help with Free Diaper Samples

Many diaper brands offer free diaper samples to their customers and also offer coupons to their loyal customers when you sign up for their rewards programs.

Learn how to get free diapers from the following companies:

1. Huggies free samples
2. Pampers free Newborn diapers samples
3. Abby & Finn free samples
4. Andy Pandy free samples
5. Bamboo Nature
6. Cuties free samples
7. Goodnites free samples
8. Rascal and Friends free baby diaper sample pack

Sign Up for Baby Registries

Signing up for baby registries is a easiest way to get free diapers – even before your baby arrives. When you create a baby registry, major retailers offer special welcome freebies to new parents.

Here’s how to use baby registries to get free diapers:

Create a registry at retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Target, and BuyBuy Baby. You don’t have to actually use the registries later – simply creating it makes you eligible for their new parent freebies.

• Amazon baby registry – Create a baby registry and add some diapers/wipes to it. You’ll receive a Welcome Box with newborn diaper packs.
• Walmart – When you sign up for the Baby Registry at Walmart, you will receive a complimentary welcome box, that include Huggies baby diapers Packs
• Target – Once you create a baby registry at Target, you’ll get a free welcome kit (over $100 value) with diapers and all sorts of good stuff for moms and her baby.
• Babylist – Create a Babylist registry to be eligible for a box of goodies with baby diapers

BuyBuy Baby is a also a good option to get free diapers and wipes for low income families

Local Churches

If you’re Looking for help with diapers, then local churches are best resource. Many local churches run free diaper programs to help families in need.

Here are some tips to get free diapers through faith-based organizations:

Search church directories for those with community outreach or assistance programs. Call and ask if they operate a free diaper program that provides recurring help with diapers.

Check church websites and newsletters for announcements about diaper donations, drives, distributions, or applications for free diaper assistance.

Organizations like Catholic Charities operate larger-scale free diaper programs across multiple parishes.

Try reaching out to nearby churches. Some of them offer donation-based programs that can help you to get diapers for free. Be sure to check multiple churches to find the most help with ongoing diapers.

Rewards & Loyalty Programs

You can also get free diapers and wipes by joining for rewards and loyalty programs through major retailers and diaper manufacturers. Here are some programs to join:

The Huggies Rewards+ Loyalty program, created in partnership with Fetch, allows you to earn points for purchasing Huggies, Pull-Ups, and Goodnites products. You can save $100 on all the above-brand products. Points can be redeemed to purchase diapers and wipes. The more you buy, the more rewards you can earn.

Pampers Rewards

• Download the Pampers Club app to earn Pampers Cash for purchases
• Redeem accumulated Pampers Cash for free diapers, wipes and baby products
• Get $30 at Ergobaby for registering and $5 just for first 3 scans

Amazon Family gives members exclusive deals on baby care products. Join for free and earn a $10 gift card to spend on diapers, wipes and other baby products. Ongoing discounts provide savings on all diaper purchases.

Target’s RedCard program gives members 5% off all purchases including diapers and wipes. The discounted prices make diapers more affordable.

Retailer loyalty programs like CVS ExtraCare and Walgreens Balance Rewards give cash rewards that can be put towards free diapers and wipes.

Leveraging rewards programs and membership discounts can help lower the cost of buying diapers.

While not completely free, the savings and cash-back rewards can offset expenses.

Food Banks and Pantries

Food banks and food pantries aim to provide meals and groceries to families in need. Increasingly, many also distribute basic essentials like diapers and wipes.

For example, The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is one organization that provides a large supply of free diapers to families in need. While they distribute about 97% food and groceries, and about 3% of their product is other essentials like diapers. Since 2019, the L.A Food Bank has handed out over 12.8 million diapers to the community

Families participateing in the program receive around 50 diapers per child every month, which helps fill the regular diaper needs.

Here are some tips for getting free diapers through food assistance organizations:

• Use the Feeding America website to find local food banks that give out diapers. Call them to confirm distribution details.
• Food pantries located at places of worship, YMCAs, and community centers may offer free diapers along with groceries.
• If a food pantry doesn’t currently offer diapers, ask them to consider collecting diaper donations.

Local Diaper Banks

Diaper banks are nonprofit organizations that provide free baby diapers and diapering essentials to families in need.

Sometimes they operate emergency diaper assistance programs based on donations and distributions in local communities.

Use the National Diaper Bank Network website to find accredited diaper banks near you such as:

• Happy Bottoms Diaper Bank (Kansas City, MO)
• Chicago Diaper Bank (Chicago, IL)
• Diaper Bank of North Carolina (Raleigh, NC)
• Austin Diaper Bank (Austin, TX)

Contact local diaper banks to learn about their application and distribution processes to receive free baby diapers.

Community-based Programs

Many community-based organizations and networks operate free diaper programs to help families access diapers for free. Here are some to look for:

• Moms Helping Moms – This group partners with social service agencies to distribute free diapers to mothers in need. They run diaper drives and hand out diapers at local events.
• Basics4Babies – This initiative collects donated diapers and partners with hospitals, clinics, and social workers to give free diapers to low-income families.
• Mother to Mother – Headquartered in Vermont, this nonprofit has chapters across the U.S. that provide free diaper assistance along with other baby supplies.
• Cribs for Kids – Partners with health centers and hospitals to give free diapers and baby items to families who complete education programs.
• Happy Bottoms – Provides free diapers, wipes, and clothing to families in need around Kansas City.

Check to see if these or similar community diaper programs operate in your area. They rely on donations and distributions to give free diapers for low income families through ongoing free diaper programs.

Conclusion

No child should go without clean, dry diapers to maintain health and wellbeing. It’s possible to get free diapers for low income families through various resources and programs.

Check the National Diaper Bank Network to find local diaper banks that can provide a recurring source. Also check government assistance program, local non-profits and charities program, food pantries to get help with diapers. With a bit of searching, you can find ways to get the free diapers you need.

Hopefully, these programs will continue to expand and reach even more families in need. Everyone deserves access to basic necessities like diapers, and this initiative is a positive step towards making that a reality.

FAQs about Free Diapers