Attorney General Maura Healey.
HYANNIS – Attorney General Maura Healy is urging Congress to permanently extend the expanded Child Tax Credit program.
Healey has joined 22 other attorneys general in seeking the extension, which she said would lift millions of children out of poverty.
The credit program aims to help families afford the costs of raising children.
The American Rescue Plan has expanded the program, providing more funds for families this year.
“It is imperative that we work to alleviate childhood poverty, which produces cascading negative consequences for the health and well-being of children and families in our country,” said Healey in a statement.
“We urge Congress to permanently implement this expanded tax credit to help lift millions of children out of poverty and reduce the racial income gap. This is a commonsense and achievable solution to support families and children struggling here in Massachusetts and across the country.”
According to Healey, one in seven children in the state live in poverty.
She said that half of the state’s poor children could be lifted out of poverty if a permanent, expanded, fully refundable CTC was implemented.
In the letter to Congress, Healey also urged legislators to provide funding for outreach that would make the public more aware of the CTC, as well as make the sign-up process easier.
Healey’s FAQ on the Child Tax Credit can be found here in multiple languages.
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