INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WOWO/Indiana News Service): One literal dirty truth about child rearing is the high price of diapers, which can cost families from $70 to $80 per month per child.

Congress is now considering legislation that would fund pilot programs in states such as Indiana to help low-income families afford this necessity. There are currently no federal programs that meet the need, according to Alison Weir with the National Diaper Bank Network.

“You tell people that you can’t buy diapers with food stamps or WIC, and the first response is ‘What!'” Weir said. “Neither program is meant for that, but the programs that were meant to cover basic needs have all shrunk to the point where there’s a big hole in the safety net.”

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, is the only program that provides money that could be used for diapers. But in Indiana, that benefit is limited to $185 per month for a household with one parent and two children.

Missouri recently opted to fund diaper banks, and California is considering a voucher to offset the cost for children enrolled in subsidized day care. The federal bill was referred to a House subcommittee for consideration.

There are currently four diaper banks in Indiana, located in Evansville, Bloomington, Lafayette and Boonville.