John,

The expanded federal unemployment benefits, which provided direct cash relief to millions of Americans, are expiring tomorrow -- destabilizing household budgets from coast to coast.

The good news: Families can still rely on the expanded Child Tax Credit which was passed into law earlier this year. The Child Tax Credit, passed as part of the American Rescue Plan, provides historic relief to the most working families ever.

Unless Congress acts, however, this progress will be short-lived, with the expanded CTC expiring at the end of this year.

Add your name! Join the Coalition on Human Needs and our national coalition to demand Congress make the Child Tax Credit permanent!

As of July 15th, because of this expansion of Child Tax Credits, most families started receiving monthly cash payments of $300 per child under 6 and $250 per child between the ages of 6 and 17.

Nearly 11 million children live in poverty in the United States. That’s 1 out of every 7 children nationwide.¹ The COVID-19 pandemic has only made this dire situation of childhood poverty worse. Millions of parents and caretakers lost their jobs and school closures forced many others to quit or work part-time so they could provide childcare they could no longer afford.

The direct cash aid through Child Tax Credits has made an incredible difference in the lives of children and their families. These payments are projected to drastically cut child poverty by 45% nationwide this year alone. The positive effect of this Child Tax Credit is even higher among Black, Hispanic, and Native American children.

Some moderates in Congress are wavering in their support of President Biden's historic investment agenda, including Senator Joe Manchin. In his home state of West Virginia, however, nearly 1 in 4 children are considered "poor", well above the national average.²

Can you take a moment to sign the petition to demand Congress make the CTC permanent through budget reconciliation? With the budget being crafted right now, sign this urgent petition today!

Thank you for all you do to demand accountability from our political leaders and to fight for the needs of working families, the vulnerable, the sick and the poor.

Deborah Weinstein
Executive Director, Coalition on Human Needs