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As the expanded child tax credit draws to a close, yet another study highlights its positive impact

Apr 20, 2022
It's been especially important to low-income families and families of color.
Studies show that many parents have used the expanded child tax credit to purchase healthier food and household necessities.  
Scott Olson/Getty Images

Should colleges help students pay for basic living costs?

Apr 8, 2022
The American Rescue Plan earmarked about $77 billion in higher education relief, with a significant chunk dedicated to helping students with costs outside tuition, including housing, food and clothes.
Above, transit passengers on the Metro C Line in Los Angeles, California.  Grants for schools made available through the American Rescue Plan are providing funds for college students' needs, like public transit or child care.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

Did the enhanced child tax credit really reduce household poverty?

Early studies find that the enhanced credit reduced childhood poverty and food insufficiency.
"The expanded child tax credit did not have a negative short-term employment effect that offset its documented reductions in poverty and hardship," said Chris Farrell, Marketplace senior economics contributor.
Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for ParentsTogether

Schools got $122 billion from the American Rescue Plan — and have a deadline to spend it

Jan 31, 2022
School districts have until September 2024 to spend the money. In a letter to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, they say they need more time.
Michael Loccisano/ Getty Images

How are schools spending federal pandemic relief funds?

Nov 29, 2021
Summer school, tutoring and HVAC replacement are emerging as big areas of spending, says Nic Querolo, of Bloomberg.
Schools are beginning to spend federal COVID-19 relief funds on programs to mitigate learning loss caused by the pandemic.
Michael Loccisano via Getty Images

Were tribal government COVID relief funds fairly distributed?

Oct 21, 2021
The American Rescue Plan earmarked $20 billion for tribal governments. But the allocation formula favored a handful of tribes.
Though the American Rescue Plan set aside more than $20 billion for tribal governments, more than half of the money was given to 30 tribal entities. Above, the bill enrollment for the American Rescue Plan before its signing ceremony in March.
Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

Childhood hunger declines as tax credit payments arrive

Aug 26, 2021
Expanded child tax payments have helped families — especially Black and Latinx households — struggling with food insecurity.
A person collects a box of food at a food distribution bank in Los Angeles in August 2020. Recent Census data shows a decrease in hunger and poverty for households with kids, especially among Black and Latinx households.
Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

The expanded child tax credit could "cut poverty in half"

Jun 28, 2021
Starting July 15, most parents will get monthly payments for half of the tax credit instead of a lump sum at tax time.
More parents will be eligible for the child tax credit this year. Above, a mother and daughter stand outside of a community food pantry in New York.
Spencer Platt via Getty

Tribes plan for COVID relief spending, brace for challenges

Jun 7, 2021
The American Rescue Plan provides $20 billion in aid, but problems with the previous CARES Act rollout have made tribes vigilant.
The American Rescue Plan includes $20 billion for tribal governments. But hitches in the aid provided by the CARES Act in 2020 prevented full and effective use of the funds.
hapabapa via Getty Images

Here’s who will benefit from the expanded child tax credit

May 18, 2021
Under the American Rescue Plan, eligible families could receive a monthly payment for each child under 18.
The American Rescue Plan provides expanded benefits for families with children under the age of 18.
Juanmonino/Getty Images