I recieved 3 carseats from them 2 years ago. I waited about 6months from the time I signed up to the time I got the carseat. The list might be longer now though. My sister has been on it since August and hasn't heard anything yet.
They only ask that you prove your on some kind of assistance (wic, food stamps....) If the family has already filled out the application they should be on the waiting list already. They just need to wait until someone emails them, it can take awhile. Once they get the email they have to wait for it to be shipped, I think mine took 1-2 weeks. They'll ship it to a tech in the area and the family will have to pick it up and have the tech install it.
It really is a great program. I support it anyway I can.