3. Stimulus check, child tax credit may not come soon for Chicago families

CHICAGO (WLS) – Stimulus checks are now on their way to millions of Americans. One of the most important provisions of President Biden’s plan is the expansion of the child tax credit.

The expanded portion of the credit will be available to individual taxpayers with an annual income of up to $ 75,000, heads of households who earn up to $ 125,000 and couples who earn up to $ 150,000 per year.

“I turned off the internet, unplugged the cable, my kids can’t even do remote learning now,” said Englewood’s mother, Sheila Lowery.

Lowery knows about news of help for families from the federal government, but getting that help is not coming soon.

SEE ALSO | Child tax credit: some families will receive direct monthly payments of $ 300 per child starting in July

The American Rescue Plan includes an increase in the Child Tax Credit from $ 2,000 to $ 3,600 for each child under the age of 6 or $ 3,000 for older children.

And eligible parents will receive an advance tax credit payment of $ 300 per child per month between July and December.

“As long as we can provide direct assistance so that they can get the items they need, that money will be essential,” said Dorri McWhorter, president and CEO of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. She said tax credits help now, but the government needs to find a way to modernize access.

SEE ALSO | 3rd stimulus check: impact of tax returns, child tax credit and other frequently asked questions

“We need to rethink the technology model and how people access these funds as quickly as the technology already allows,” she said.

Lowery said he will get help with Wi-Fi access from his children’s school, but his struggle continues until federal credits come his way.

“I just hope things get better for me to take care of my children the way I want to take care of them,” she said.