Richmond, VA — Democrats' expanded Child Tax Credit is already making a difference for families across the commonwealth as hundreds of thousands of Virginians got up to a $300 tax cut last week. Enacted as part of the American Rescue Plan -- which not a single Republican in Congress voted for -- working parents will receive monthly checks directly into their bank account that can be used for day care, medical bills and everyday expenses. New reporting from Public News Service shows just how impactful this will be as President Biden and Democratic leaders continue delivering for all Virginians. 

Public News Service: Child Tax Credit Expansion Seen as Major Boost for Virginia Families

By Diane Bernard 

Beginning last week, thousands of Virginia families with children saw more money in their bank accounts as the federal government started distributing Child Tax Credit payments to eligible families.

Vilma Hernandez-Morales is a mother of four with three children younger than 17 who qualify for the monthly payments. A legal resident of Loudoun County, originally from El Salvador, she supports her entire family by babysitting and taking on part-time jobs.

Her daughter Esmirelda said they will use the money for everyday expenses that have piled up during the pandemic.

"The way she will use it will be like, in medical situations, she has to pay for food, for clothing, for supplies," Hernandez-Morales explained.

A year and a half after the pandemic started, many Virginia families sorely need the extra cash, particularly Latino families. About 14% of Virginians with children sometimes or often didn't have enough to eat in the previous week, according to U.S. Census data from June. That number was much worse for Latino families, with almost half reporting not having enough to eat.

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The Child Tax Credit expansion is part of President Joe Biden's American Rescue Plan, and nearly 1.6 million Virginia kids are expected to benefit.
 

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