P o l i c y B r i e

THE ADVANCE CHILD TAX CREDIT Child Tax Credit, its subsequent expiration in early 2022 led to increased food insufficiency, The 2021 American Rescue Plan Act significantly child poverty, and material hardship.4 Food insuf- expanded the federal Child Tax Credit by increasing ficiency puts children at risk of poor mental and the credit amount, making it available to families physical health and make. [...] Expanding upon previous food insufficiency among families with children research, this study finds that the payments were experiencing economic shocks compared to those especially impactful for families facing missed not experiencing economic shocks.8 hours at work or a loss of work due to health is- sues or employer layoffs.8 The payments helped THE ADVANCE CHILD TAX CREDIT families to keep food. [...] The advance Child Tax Credit was pivotal in keep- Making a monthly advance Child Tax Credit perma- ing families fed, housed, and healthy during the nent and available to all families — including those pandemic. [...] Invest in effective, culturally appropriate outreach and enrollment efforts that focus Research has shown that the advance Child Tax on community-driven solutions for increasing Credit helped families with their health and well- awareness of and access to the Child Tax Credit. [...] multiple languages, that is consistently To not only support families who can access the evaluated and improved to promote equitable Child Tax Credit but all those eligible, we recom- access to the Child Tax Credit — particularly mend the following: for marginalized families.