In March, Congress expanded the Child Tax Credit as part of President Biden’s American Rescue Plan to provide monthly payments of up to $300 per child.
The day after the first payments went out in July, we sent around a survey to ask those who received a payment how it would help their family. We received hundreds of responses.
Here are a few answers we received to the question: How will your expanded child tax credit payment help you and your family?
“Before Covid, my wife and I were able to arrange our schedules so that someone was always home with our daughter. My wife lost her job, and the new one is not as flexible as the old one – so our kid is in daycare for the first time. We had no room in our budget for daycare costs, (especially because my wife's less flexible new job also pays less than the one that laid her off), but the monthly tax credit money is making it possible.” - Brittney
“It's given us the room to be able to fix our car. We've needed new brakes for a while and now our car can be safe to drive.” - Shaye
“It helps others so it helps me.” - William
“Buy a new crib and diapers.” - Eric
“It’s going to help with groceries, school supplies and clothes. It will also help with vehicle payments and electric bills! I am VERY THANKFUL!!” - Hilarie
“It helps us a lot paying our rent and other household expenses. As a person earning minimum wage, this helps my family breathe easier during these hard times.” - John
“Before the pandemic, I had a high yield savings account for my baby boy. After losing my job, I had no choice but to delve into that account to keep us afloat. Now, I will be able to put back what I spent by the end of the year PLUS catch up on bills while getting him what he needs as he enters the toddler stage. I am very grateful for the extra help.” - Jacqueline
“This extended child tax credit payment is an acknowledgment of how difficult it has been for decades of working mothers and families to just get by.” - Diane
“It makes me SO HAPPY. But I'm not getting it myself – my children are grown. Still so great.” - Lynn
We know the child tax credit is working, and not just because we read hundreds of stories like these from across the country.
New data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that hunger rates dropped nearly 24% as a result of the payments.1 Nearly half – 47 percent – of households reported spending their tax credit payment on food.
Alexandria and her progressive colleagues fought tooth and nail to bring as many benefits to working people as possible in the American Rescue Plan (you can watch AOC break down everything in the plan here).
We will continue fighting to bring more direct relief for working families – but we need your help. If you can afford it, please make a $3 contribution today to help us continue fighting for the relief working families need.
Thank you for being with us in the fight.
– Team AOC
P.S. If you have any questions about whether you’re eligible, how to receive your payment, updating your bank account information, and more, you can find FAQs and more info here.
1 - Politico
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