Washington: Around 35 million American families have received their first monthly payments from the US government in the expanded income support program that according to President Joe Biden on Thursday can help end child poverty.
Under the child’s tax credit program expanded under the Covid-19 Biden stimulus, a family that meets the initial monthly payment of up to $ 300 for each child under six years and up to $ 250 for every older child.
Payment to the family, covering nearly 60 million children who qualified, amounted to around $ 15 billion for July.
Automatic payment for many US taxpayers.
Others need to register.
Biden wants to expand, monthly benefits for years to come as part of the $ 3.5 trillion expenditure plan considered by the Democrat Senate, who expects a strong Republican Party opposition to full bills.
“This is our efforts to make other giant steps towards child poverty in America,” said Biden in a speech in the White House which was attended by nine families who would benefit from payment of assistance.
“It can change life for so many families.” Children’s tax credits are equated with universal basic income for children, within the income limit, helping families meet the cost of rent into food and child care.
The center of poverty and social policy at Columbia University estimates expansion can reduce the poverty rate of US children to 45%.
Dominique Spencer, who works at Jubilee JumpStart, a local childhood education center in Washington, said that tax credit will help him pay debts, including book fees for graduate schools and buy items needed for both children.
In the end, he said additional funds could help his family buy a house, a dream that had grown out of reach for more Americans.
“They have seen close to what people need, and try to do our best to help a large number of people who miss over the past few years,” he said.
“They give back to people who work holding this country.” The critics say expensive credit is expensive and can prevent people from working.
Some experts say it might not reach some poor American people who are not in the tax system, even though Treasury pushes non-payers to register.
The $ 1.9 trillion Covid-19 legislation supported by Democrats, known as an American rescue plan to be implemented in March, increases how much to be paid to families under this program.
The law made half the tax credit for 2021 which was paid in advance before by internal income services in monthly installments starting July to December this year.
Biden proposed making permanent monthly advance payments and maintaining expanded benefits up to 2025.