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Having a baby
15 programs people in this spot often look for.
Free infant and toddler child care
Program: Baby Promise
Free early care for infants and toddlers with no copays, plus free diapers, wipes, and formula.
Who it’s for: Homes making under about $2,660 a month (for 1 person) — families with a child from 6 weeks to 3 years who meet ERDC income limits
See the rule
“Baby Promise further supports families by not requiring copays or additional program fees while also supplying diapers, wipes, and formula at no cost.” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Free therapy and support for young kids with delays
Program: Early Intervention / Early Childhood Special Education (EI/ECSE)
Free evaluation and services — speech, physical, and occupational therapy and special instruction — for infants and young children with developmental delays or disabilities.
Who it’s for: Children from birth to kindergarten who have a developmental delay or disability
See the rule
“Special education screening, evaluation, services and support are provided to children and their families at no cost.” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Help paying for childcare
Program: Employment Related Day Care (ERDC)
Child care subsidy
Who it’s for: Homes making under about $2,660 a month (for 1 person), and families with kids — parents who are working, in school, or in job training, with a child under 13
See the rule
“These amounts are 200% of federal poverty level. ... These amounts are 250% of federal poverty level or 85% of state median income, whichever is higher.” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Up to $2,200 back per child at tax time
Program: Federal Child Tax Credit
A tax credit for each child under 17 — up to $2,200 per child, and up to $1,700 of it is refundable, so you can get money back even if you owe little or no tax. Separate from the Oregon Kids Credit.
Who it’s for: Families with kids — families with a child under 17 who has a Social Security number; the refundable part needs at least $2,500 of earnings; income up to $200,000 ($400,000 married)
See the rule
“You qualify for the full amount of the Child Tax Credit for each qualifying child if you meet all eligibility factors and your annual income is not more than $200,000 ($400,000 if filing a joint return).” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Free early education for low-income families (birth to 5)
Program: Head Start & Early Head Start
Free early childhood education plus health, nutrition, and family support for children from birth to age 5.
Who it’s for: Homes making under about $1,330 a month (for 1 person) or people who already have TANF cash help or SSI — families with a child under 5 (kids in foster care, homeless, or on TANF/SSI qualify regardless of income)
See the rule
“children in foster care, homeless children, and children from families receiving public assistance (TANF or SSI) are categorically eligible for Head Start and Early Head Start services regardless of income.” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Free home visits for new and expecting parents
Program: Nurse-Family Partnership / Healthy Families Oregon
Free in-home visits from a nurse or family worker through pregnancy and early childhood.
Who it’s for: People who are pregnant or families with kids — new and expecting parents (Nurse-Family Partnership is for first-time moms 28 weeks pregnant or less who meet income limits)
See the rule
“Nurse-Family Partnership is FREE to all eligible women.” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Free or low-cost health coverage
Program: Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid)
Health coverage (Oregon Health Plan / Medicaid)
Who it’s for: People who already have SSI or the Oregon Health Plan or homes making under about $1,840 a month (for 1 person)
See the rule
“Adults age 19 through 64 ... Children age 1 through 18 ... Income limit is 133% of Federal Poverty Level (FPL)” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
$1,050 per young child at tax time
Program: Oregon Kids Credit
Refundable $1,050-per-child tax credit for kids ages 0-5 (up to 5 kids) — full amount if your modified AGI is $26,550 or less, phasing out above that
Who it’s for: Families with kids, and homes making under about $2,210 a month — families with children ages 0 to 5
See the rule
“The Oregon Kids Credit is a refundable credit for people with young dependent children. For 2025, if your adjusted gross income (AGI) after Oregon additions and subtractions (your modified AGI) is $26,550 or less, the full credit is $1,050 per child for up to five dependent children ages 0 to 5 at the end of the tax year.” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Free diapers and diapering supplies
Program: PDX Diaper Bank
Free diapers, wipes, and diapering or incontinence supplies through partner social-service agencies.
Who it’s for: Low-income or houseless families with kids (also older adults and people with disabilities) in the Portland metro, through a partner agency
See the rule
“provide no cost diapers and diapering supplies to low-income and houseless families with children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities residing in the Portland metro area” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Free preschool for every 3- and 4-year-old in Multnomah County
Program: Preschool for All (Multnomah County)
Free preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds, no matter your income, with free help choosing a provider in many languages.
Who it’s for: People who live in Multnomah County — families with a child who is 3 or 4 by Sept 1
See the rule
“There are no income eligibility requirements to apply for Preschool for All.” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Free preschool for lower-income Oregon 3- and 4-year-olds
Program: Preschool Promise
A free, high-quality preschool spot, enrolled through your regional Early Learning Hub.
Who it’s for: Homes making under about $2,660 a month (for 1 person) — families with a child who is 3 or 4 years old
See the rule
“Preschool Promise is available to families with incomes at or below the 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Free or reduced-price school meals
Program: National School Lunch & Breakfast (Free & Reduced-Price Meals)
Free or cheap breakfasts and lunches at school for your kids. Many high-poverty schools serve free meals to ALL students with no application (Community Eligibility) — check your child's school.
Who it’s for: Families with kids, and people who already have SNAP (food benefits) or TANF cash help or homes making under about $2,460 a month (for 1 person)
See the rule
“At or below 130 percent of the Federal poverty line can receive a free lunch. Between 130 and 185 percent of the Federal poverty line can receive a reduced-price lunch. Above 185 percent of the Federal poverty line can receive a low-cost, full-price lunch.” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Monthly cash for a low-income family raising a child with a serious disability
Program: SSI for Children
A monthly federal cash payment for a disabled or blind child in a low-income household. Qualifying children in Oregon also get the Oregon Health Plan.
Who it’s for: Families with kids — a child under 18 with a serious, lasting disability, in a household with low income and savings
See the rule
“To apply for SSI for a child, you can start the process online.” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Free childhood vaccines for uninsured or underinsured kids
Program: Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program
Free recommended vaccines for children through participating clinics and county health departments.
Who it’s for: Children 18 and under who are uninsured, on the Oregon Health Plan, or Native (underinsured kids qualify at community health centers)
See the rule
“To be eligible for VFC, a child (age 0-18 years) must fit one of these categories: Enrolled in Medicaid/Oregon Health Plan; Uninsured; or American Indian/Alaskan Native.” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
Food & support for pregnant people & young kids
Program: WIC (Women, Infants & Children)
Food benefits, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support for pregnant/postpartum people, infants, and kids under 5
Who it’s for: People who already have the Oregon Health Plan, TANF cash help, or SNAP (food benefits) or homes making under about $2,460 a month (for 1 person) — someone pregnant, a new parent, or with a child under 5
See the rule
“Applicants must meet four criteria to be eligible for WIC: Live in Oregon. Be a pregnant, postpartum or breastfeeding woman, an infant or a child under 5 years old. Have a household income less than 185% of the federal poverty limit. (Individuals who can prove Fully eligible for Medicaid/Oregon Health Plan, TANF, SNAP/Food Stamps or FDPIR are automatically income eligible for WIC.) Have a nutritional need or risk.” Official site ↗
This is a candidate, not a decision. Funding and application windows change and are not published anywhere we can check — confirm directly with the program before you rely on it.
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