The new monthly installments of up to $300 for children under age six went into effect Thursday. The IRS will automatically distribute the money to parents who filed taxes in the last two years, or received pandemic-related stimulus checks. Others who still qualify will need to sign up. Parents of those 17 and younger are eligible for a monthly $250.
U.S. Congressman Steve Cohen says the program covers more than 90 percent of the children in the district he represents, which includes much of Shelby County.
“When this money comes into our district, it’s an economic stimulus,” he said at an event Thursday to promote the broadened tax credit. “It helps kids for sure. It helps families for sure, but it puts money into the community.”
To receive the full credit amount, a single taxpayer cannot make over $112,000 a year. Those filing jointly must make less than $150,000.
Cohen, a Democrat, dubbed the new higher payments social security for children and would like to see Congress extend them beyond this year. He acknowledges, however, that reaching a bipartisan agreement with GOP lawmakers will likely be a challenge.
He says the checks will help lift more than 18,000 children out of poverty in Shelby County.
Read more about the tax credit and eligibility here.