Children's HealthWatch’s Post

The #ChildTaxCredit has been a hot issue since the 2021 expanded CTC expired in 2022. Parents, advocates, and researchers are fighting to reinstate the #CTC that benefitted 90% of kids in the US during the COVID-19 pandemic. Children's HealthWatch research shows a fully refundable, inclusive CTC reduces levels of food insufficiency and child poverty, promotes health for children and families, and allows parents to provide essentials to their kids. This year, the Senate failed to pass a tax bill that would have reinstated the 2021 Child Tax Credit, even though the House passed it. That's why it is so essential to vote in every election for every office. Research the candidates on your ballot to see if they support policies that will help support you, your family, and your community.

A national update: For a family of four with an infant and a preschooler, the costs of basics in Franklin County, Ohio (where costs and wages are near the median for all U.S. counties), rose from $90,360 in 2021 to $96,480 #oneyearlater, excluding tax credits. (NJ numbers in our previous post. Spoiler alert: the cost of basics is more here.) Compounding the issue in 2022 was the loss of up to $15,000 in federal child tax credits and stimulus payments that this family had access to in 2021. Read the National Update: https://lnkd.in/e9EWKJr8 #ALICE2024 #economy #poverty #inflation #workingpoor

Per #UnitedForALICE’s new data, the number of struggling families on the Lakeshore remained high from 2021 to 2022 despite bigger paychecks. Why? As wages went up, so too did costs – making it nearly impossible for ALICE to keep pace. For a family of four with an infant and a preschooler, the costs of basics on the Lakeshore, without tax credits, $56,624 in 2021 to $70,968 #oneyearlater. Compounding the issue in 2022 was the loss of up to $15,000 in federal child tax credits and stimulus payments that this family had access to in 2021. Read the Update: https://lnkd.in/e9guZpQe #ALICE2024 #economy #poverty #inflation #workingpoor

Per #UnitedForALICE’s new data, the number of struggling families in New Jersey remained high from 2021 to 2022 despite bigger paychecks. Why? As wages went up, so too did costs – making it nearly impossible for ALICE to keep pace. For a family of four with an infant and a preschooler, the costs of basics in New Jersey, without tax credits, rose from $98,172 in 2021 to $101,028 in 2022. #oneyearlater. Compounding the issue in 2022 was the loss of up to $15,000 in federal child tax credits and stimulus payments that this family had access to in 2021. Read the Update: https://lnkd.in/ejM2Jddy #ALICE2024 #economy #poverty #inflation #workingpoor

Per #UnitedForALICE’s new data, the number of struggling families in Washington grew from 2021 to 2022 despite bigger paychecks. Why? As wages went up, so too did costs – making it nearly impossible for ALICE to keep pace. For a family of four with an infant and a preschooler, the costs of basics in Washington, without tax credits, rose from $92,532 in 2021 to $95,244 #oneyearlater. Compounding the issue in 2022 was the loss of up to $15,000 in federal child tax credits and stimulus payments that this family had access to in 2021. Read the Update: https://lnkd.in/dRBiZU9M #ALICE2024 #economy #poverty #inflation #workingpoor

Per #UnitedForALICE’s new data, the number of struggling families in Texas grew from 2021 to 2022 despite bigger paychecks. Why? As wages went up, so too did costs – making it nearly impossible for ALICE to keep pace. For a family of four with an infant and a preschooler, the costs of basics in Texas, without tax credits, rose from $75,000 in 2021 to $78,012 #oneyearlater. Compounding the issue in 2022 was the loss of up to $15,000 in federal child tax credits and stimulus payments that this family had access to in 2021. Read the Update: UnitedForALICE.org/Texas #ALICE2024 #economy #poverty #inflation

A few weeks ago I wrote about the effects of our nationwide experiment- what happens when you give poor families extra income (The Expanded Child Tax Credit). To continue that conversation, here is an interesting paper that looks at consumer spending data among these families, or "If you give struggling families extra income, *what* do they spend it on?" Turns out, on average, out of $100 they spend $75 on: - 🍅 Food ($28) - 🏠 Housing ($31) - 🍼 🩺 💊 child-related goods and services ($15)

Per #UnitedForALICE’s new data, the number of struggling families in Louisiana remained high from 2021 to 2022 despite bigger paychecks. Why? As wages went up, so too did costs – making it nearly impossible for ALICE to keep pace. For a family of four with an infant and a preschooler, the costs of basics in Louisiana, without tax credits, rose from $82,284 in 2021 to $84,060 #oneyearlater. Compounding the issue in 2022 was the loss of up to $15,000 in federal child tax credits and stimulus payments that this family had access to in 2021. Read the Update: https://lnkd.in/g8CdV84F #ALICE2024 #economy #poverty #inflation #workingpoor

Per #UnitedForALICE’s new data, the number of struggling families in Tennessee grew from 2021 to 2022 despite bigger paychecks. Why? As wages went up, so too did costs – making it nearly impossible for ALICE to keep pace. For a family of four with an infant and a preschooler, the costs of basics in Tennessee, without tax credits, rose from $70,008 in 2021 to $75,612 in 2022 #oneyearlater. Compounding the issue in 2022 was the loss of up to $15,000 in federal child tax credits and stimulus payments that this family had access to in 2021. Read the Update: https://lnkd.in/eJ7XnbdC #ALICE2024 #economy #poverty #inflation #workingpoor

The Child Tax Credit is back in the spotlight for the 2025 election, and it's crucial for supporting low-income families in meeting basic needs. Stay informed and discover where both candidates stand on this issue with insights from The New York Times. Read "Trump and Harris Both Like a Child Tax Credit, but With Different Aims" - https://ow.ly/YAkQ50TVWlc