Congressman Kim Highlights Impact of Child Tax Credit Expansion on Working Families in Town Hall

Press Release

Today, Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) held a telephone town hall where he highlighted the impact expanded payments of the Child Tax Credit will have on working families throughout Burlington and Ocean Counties. The expansion, which will provide direct relief of $3,000 to $3,600 per child for nearly all working families, began distribution last week.

"When you sit down and talk with parents receiving these benefits, you get how important they are to the working families of our community," said Congressman Kim. "As the father of two boys, I know how hard it's been for parents during this pandemic. These payments can help provide the peace of mind of knowing that a family can pay some bills or put food on the table, and that's exactly why I was proud to vote for them."

Starting this month, families filing jointly who make less than $150,000 a year (or parents filing as individuals making less than $112,500) will receive a direct payment of $250 a month for children aged six to seventeen, or $300 a month for children under six. Families will receive their remaining expanded Child Tax Credit from the first six months of the year when they file their 2021 tax return.

The expanded Child Tax Credit, in addition to other direct help for working families through the American Rescue Plan, addresses documented rises in poverty and hunger afflicting working families as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Throughout July, Congressman Kim has visited schools, Head Start facilities, and community support facilities throughout Burlington and Ocean Counties to hear from people directly helping working families, and to discuss how the Child Tax Credit changes will impact New Jerseyans they serve. On Monday, Congressman Kim visited Mosaic Early Learning Center in Delanco where he read to students and heard from parents who have already received their direct payments through the Child Tax Credit.

During the town hall, Congressman Kim was joined by Channell Wilkins, CEO of OCEAN Inc, and Nadia Hussain, Senior Campaign Director for Early Learning from Moms Rising, who talked about the impact of the Child Tax Credit payments to the working families they serve, and the importance of assisting parents through these difficult times.

Questions raised by residents of Burlington and Ocean County during the town hall included: who is eligible for the Child Tax Credit, issues around opting out of the credit, and how mixed filers can ensure they qualify for the Child Tax Credit.

Congressman Kim is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Committee on Small Business. More information about Congressman Kim can be found on his website by clicking here.

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