Millions of children lifted out of poverty once more face harsh conditions
The significant and historic Child Tax Credit that this year lifted more than 3.6 million children in America out of poverty must be extended beyond December 2021.
“On behalf of the millions of families and children who will be losing this life-saving benefit in January, we beg the U.S. Congress to do whatever it takes, including separating the CTC from other legislation as is often done for defense and other programs. Continue it for at least another year instead of pulling the rug out from under so many families struggling economically, so many children going to bed hungry,” said ABCD President/CEO John J. Drew.
“The commitment and promise you have made to America’s families in providing this successful program in 2021 has the same urgency as the defense and other programs that have been passed. Don’t kick it down the road. Continue CTC for at least another year to help the millions of families who are under tremendous stress in this pandemic. Saving our children is as important as any other top priority on the government’s desk. Extend this payment to families NOW.”
At the start of 2021 more than 15 million children in the world’s richest nation lived below the poverty level of $26,200 for a family of four, with COVID-19 causing those numbers to spiral upward. The CTC provided a safety net for many of those families, giving them the means to live with dignity and move forward with their lives. Continuing this successful program can erase the scourge of child poverty in America.
The IRS is the vehicle for providing this critically needed benefit, with monthly tax credit payments of $300 per child under age 6 and $250 for each child ages 6 to 17 years old.
“Withdrawing the support that is lifting millions of children out of poverty is a truly rotten thing for those who represent hard-working American families to do at a time when inflation is hitting parents hard – parents who work two and three jobs to put food on the table, keep a roof over their heads and pay escalating heating bills,” said ABCD President/CEO John J. Drew.
“It’s time to save our children,” he continued. “It’s time to narrow the harsh disparities between rich and poor in America. We can’t lose this program. It’s giving millions of families a chance to breathe during a raging pandemic, runaway inflation and bitter winter weather.”
“Our representatives in Congress must hear that our votes are for those who ensure that no child goes to bed hungry in this great nation and that parents have the opportunity to move up the ladder of economic opportunity,” he said. “The Child Tax Credit does that big time.”
