Third Stimulus Control: Child tax credit may not arrive soon enough for Chicago families

CHICAGO (WLS) – Stimulus controls are now on their way to millions of Americans. One of the most consistent provisions of President Biden’s plan is the expansion of the children’s tax credit.

The enhanced portion of the credit will be available to individual taxpayers with annual incomes of up to $ 75,000, heads of households up to $ 125,000, and couples earning up to $ 150,000 a year.

“My internet is off, my cable is off, my kids can’t even do distance learning right now,” Englewood’s mother, Sheila Lowery, said.

Lowery knows the news of help for families coming from the federal government, but getting it may not come soon enough.

SEE ALSO | Child Tax Credit: Some families receive direct monthly payments of $ 300 per child beginning in July

The American Rescue Plan includes an increase in the tax credit for children from $ 2,000 to $ 3,600 for each child under the age of 6 or $ 3,000 for older children.

And eligible parents will receive an advance tax credit payment of $ 300 per child per month from approximately July to December.

“To the extent that we can provide direct assistance so that they can get the items they need, that money will be essential,” said Dorri McWhorter, president and CEO of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. He said tax credits are helping now, but the government needs to find a way to modernize access.

SEE ALSO | 3rd stimulus control: impact on tax filing, child tax credit and other frequently asked questions

“We need to rethink the technology model and the way we have people accessing these funds as quickly as technology already allows us to,” he said.

Lowery said he will receive help with WiFi access at his children’s school, but his struggle continues until those federal credits get in his way.

“I just hope things get better for taking care of my kids the way I want to take care of my kids,” she said.