Tens of thousands of families to receive up to $300 monthly from federal program

Eligible parents and families are starting to receive monthly payments of up to $300 per child from the federal government.

As part of the American Rescue Plan passed by Congress, child tax credits will be sent every month until December. Qualifying families can receive:

• Up to $300 a month per child ages 0-5.
• Up to $250 a month per child ages 6-17.

Eligibility is based on income:

• Single parent: income below $75,000.
• Head of household: income below $112,000.
• Married couples: combined income below $150,000.

Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland spoke about the new funding with the media in Tacoma on Tuesday. She said 88.8% of all children in Washington’s 10th District, which includes Pierce County and Thurston County, will be eligible for the program.

“This is something that families need to have their basic needs. Whether it’s housing security, putting food on the table, and just paying essential bills,” Strickland said. “Sometimes a couple hundred dollars is the difference between being able to pay your rent and pay your mortgage and stay securely housed, as opposed to being on the precipice of being homeless.”

Joining Strickland at the media briefing was Caroline Solitaire, a Tacoma mother and recipient of the child tax credit. She said the funding is needed until December and beyond 2021.

“The wintertime is when the utility bills get higher. You still need that money. It’s not getting any easier,” Solitaire said.

More information about the program can be found on Strickland’s website: https://strickland.house.gov/media/press-releases/strickland-urges-south-sound-families-file-taxes-may-17-get-advance-child-tax.

©2021 Cox Media Group