{"id":"head-start-early-head-start","name":"Head Start and Early Head Start","provider":"Office of Head Start","entitlement_type":"government-benefit","entitlement_type_label":"Government benefit","entitlement_type_context":{"definition":"A government-funded or administered benefit, service, coverage program, assistance program, or public access route.","domain":"public-benefits","archetype":"direct-program","agent_instruction":"Identify the administering jurisdiction and disclose income, household, age, disability, immigration, residence, renewal, fee, and capacity rules that apply."},"summary":"Free early learning, development, health, and family-support services delivered by local programs for eligible children and families.","benefit":{"description":"No-cost early childhood education and development services, with health, nutrition, and family supports.","estimated_value_usd":null},"discovery":{"focus":"public-service","has_estimated_dollar_value":false},"access":{"relationships":["Child or pregnant person eligible for a local Head Start program"],"requirements":"Programs generally serve children from birth to age five and pregnant people based on income or categorical eligibility such as homelessness, foster care, TANF, SSI, or SNAP. Local programs can have waitlists and limited slots.","activation":"Use the Head Start Center Locator and contact the local program to apply and document eligibility.","cost_basis":"no-cost","cost_basis_label":"No-cost access","cost_basis_context":{"classification":"free","definition":"The core benefit has no required payment, purchase, deposit, paid membership, or pre-existing paid-product relationship under the captured terms.","agent_instruction":"Still disclose optional add-ons, transportation, parking, replacement charges, taxes, capacity, and eligibility conditions found in fees or requirements.","variation_patterns":null,"does_not_mean":null},"fees":"Head Start services are free for enrolled participants.","personalized":false,"regions":["US","Local program availability"],"expires":null},"status":"verified","last_checked":"2026-08-04","claim_url":"https://headstart.gov/how-apply","source_url":"https://headstart.gov/how-apply","source":{"primary_url":"https://headstart.gov/how-apply","evidence":[{"source":"Office of Head Start","url":"https://headstart.gov/how-apply","kind":"provider","checked_at":"2026-08-04"}]},"parent":null,"coverage":{"level":"national","family":"children-and-education","jurisdiction":"United States","maturity":"direct"},"web_url":"/benefits/head-start-early-head-start","taxonomy":{"version":"1.0","url":"/api/v1/taxonomy"}}