Congresswomen Maxine Waters and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Speak on Improvements made to 2021 Child Tax Credit
Congresswoman Maxine Waters joined Speaker of House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi on August 12 to discuss the advancement of the Child Tax Credit implemented this year. The Biden administration approved progressive measurements to the preexisting child tax initiative. Public reviews reported the new additives carry the same support as social security; with a monthly stipend provided to eligible families every month for the next six months.
Additionally, Waters provided insight on other Congress updates that will occur locally in South Los Angeles, as they hosted the press conference in the heart of the city,; at the Maxine Waters Employment Preparation Center and the Ethel Bradley Early Education Center.
Many variables weigh into the necessity and urgency of this type of federal support, one being the drastic financial downturn America is currently feeling due to COVID-19. However, some families may use the “opt-out” option and receive a generous sum during the official tax season in April. In the eyes of Pelosi and Waters, The Child Tax Credit is a step in the right direction and sees a great return on this investment.
Watch: Rep Maxine Waters on the Expansion of the Child Tax Credit
Congresswoman Waters expressed her joy in the improvements in the Child Tax Credit in recent interviews. As Chairwoman of the House Committee on Financial Services, Waters stated, “I’m delighted that Speaker Pelosi has joined me in South Los Angeles at the Maxine Waters Employment Preparation Center and the Ethel Bradley Early Education Center to help spread the word about what I believe to be one of the most significant public policies for children and families in the history of our country.”
Waters continued, “These two centers play a critical role in fostering the growth and development of our community here in South Los Angeles from adolescence to adulthood through a strong commitment to the educational advancement and workforce development of our learners. I am thankful to the Speaker for her leadership on behalf of our children and I’m thrilled to demonstrate to her the amazing work being done here in CA-43 to ensure our children and families are supported.”
Updates according to the official Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website include monthly payments., The website stated, “The IRS will pay half the total credit amount in advance monthly payments beginning July 15. You will claim the other half when you file your 2021 income tax return. These changes apply to tax the year 2021 only.”
The IRS outlined the following eligibility requirements:
- Filed a 2019 or 2020 tax return and claimed the Child Tax Credit on the return; or
- You providedyour information in 2020 to receive the Economic Impact Payment using the Non-Filer’s Enter Payment Info Here tool; and
- A main home in the United States for more than half the year (the 50 states and the District of Columbia) or filed a joint return with a spouse who has a main home in the United States for more than half the year; and
- A qualifying child who is under age 18 at the end of 2021 and who has a valid Social Security number; and
- Made less than certain income limits.
- The information you provided earlier will determine if you qualify and automatically enrolls you for advance payments. You do not need to take any additional action to get advance payments.
In a previous report led by the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), for the 2021 tax year, households that are claiming the credit could receive up to $3,000 per qualifying child by the end of the year. There is also the possibility of receiving $3,600 per qualifying child under age six.
This effort is made possible through American Rescue Plan headed by the Biden Administration. President Biden was captured stating, “The American Rescue Plan is delivering critical tax relief to middle-class and hard-pressed working families with children. With today’s announcement, about 90 percent of families with children will get this new tax relief automatically, starting in July,” said Biden.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi emphasized the message behind this initiative is to support the children. Pelosi stated it is an opportunity, to build a stronger foundation. This resource was made available for families who otherwise would have to sacrifice the true enrichment they want to provide for , and to make sure necessary bills were paid.
Pelosi stated, “We call it ‘Social Security for children.’ This is so important for the children. Maxine knows – we go back way back before either of us was in Congress. I had no intention of running for Congress, but my motivation was that one- in- five children in America lives in poverty. Maxine was in the state legislature, and she did great work there. And she later came to Congress but I left home for the children.”
Based on the research provided by Congresswoman Waters’ press release, the 43rd District will feel a significant impact of the Child Tax Credit. Accrediting the previously mentioned source with the information below:
- 88.6 percent of children in CA-43 will gain from expanded and improved Child Tax Credit to approximately 162,000 children.
- The average benefit for 47,600 households is $3,100.
- The expanded and improved Child Tax Credit lifts 18,300 children in CA-43 out of poverty.
- Because of the larger benefit for the youngest, 6,700 kids under the age of six are raised out of poverty. Families with children in poverty will receive $4,300 on average.
The cities in the 43rd District include Alondra Park, Del Aire, Gardena, Hawthorne, parts of Inglewood, Lawndale, Lennox, Lomita, parts of Torrance, West Athens, West Carson, and Westmont.
The meetings were held at the Maxine Waters Employment Preparation Center (MWEPC) and the Ethel Bradley Early Education Center. The mission for MWEPC states, “The Maxine Waters Employment Preparation Center is to partner with the community for the educational advancement and workforce development of our learners.”
Children from Ethel Bradley Early Education Center were present at the press conference. Two families that received the Child Tax Credit were asked to speak on their experience. Raven Hinshaw, mother of two children, and Ana Maria Gonzales, mother of three children, expressed their gratitude.
In response to investing in the future of South Los Angeles, Pelosi stated, “This is about the future and our responsibility” She continued, “The history we respect, but the future is our responsibility.”
