The American Rescue Plan approved by Congress in March 2021 provided a major boost to the Child Tax Credit. Starting on July 15, most families are automatically receiving monthly payments of $250 or $300 per child.
These funds do not have to be paid back, they are not considered taxable income, and they do not impact anyone’s eligibility for other supports like child care or SNAP benefits.
Over one million children in Maryland will benefit from this. In the 4th Congressional district, for instance, 139,300 children will benefit and thousands will be in families lifted out of poverty.
We are thrilled to be already hearing about what a huge difference this is making and will make for families on our staff and around our community. We’re hearing about the basics of food or utilities, those ongoing needs with growing children like new shoes and clothes, or an ability to do something special that has a fee that was out of reach.
We also got to celebrate a little yesterday at Centro Nia with Congressman Brown. (Pictured: Congressman Anthony Brown Roundtable; Our very own Jennifer Iverson, Executive Director and Masoma Sharifi, Family Support Specialist with Congressman Brown)
At Congressman Brown’s roundtable it was clear that parents, advocates and County representatives understand the importance of supporting the whole child. Every family has unique needs and the #ChildTaxCredit allows each family to decide what’s best for them. It will help ease the financial burden of parents, bring stabilization to families after the challenges that have been brought upon individuals due to systemic barriers and the hardships during this Covid-19 era. Masoma Sharifi, HFPG Family Support Specialist shared how it will reduce the stress of single income households.
What does it mean for you and your family? Email Yenny at ylucero@pgcrc.org
Find out more in English and in Spanish here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/child-tax-credit/
You can also download and share these flyers:
Help is here – English (pdf)
Help is here – Spanish (pdf)
White House fact sheet – English (pdf)
White House fact sheet – Spanish (pdf)
Maryland’s 4th Congressional district impact – English (pdf)
This expansion is only through 2021 though, and we will be advocating to Congress to continue this meaningful support to families. Making this expansion permanent would change lives and have a lasting impact for years and years to come.
