Economic Hardship Declined in Households With Children as Child Tax Credit Payments Arrived

Household Pulse Survey finds most recipients of new child tax credit payments used them for school-related expenses. Learn more.

America Counts: Stories Behind the Numbers Economic Hardship Declined in Households With Children as Child Tax Credit Payments Arrived A drop in the number of households with children that reported food insufficiency and trouble paying household expenses may be linked to the child tax credit checks issued last month, according to new Household Pulse Survey (HPS) results. The Internal Revenue Service last month (July 15) began issuing a monthly Advance Child Tax Credit (CTC) to families with children. About 35 million eligible families received the first monthly payment of up to $300 for each child age 5 and under and up to $250 for each child ages 6 to 17. Payments will continue monthly through December. Read More The U.S. Census Bureau's experimental HPS collected survey responses just before and just after the arrival of the first checks. The survey shows introduction of the CTC coincided with a drop in food insufficiency in households with children. It also showed that in those households, there was a drop in difficulty paying weekly expenses. Continue reading to learn more about: Food insufficiency dropped quickly after checks arrived Financial hardship of families with children also dropped Families spent CTC on their children About HPS Help us spread the word about America Counts. Share this story on social media or forward it to a friend. Share This You May Be Interested Household Pulse Survey Updates Sex Question, Now Asks About Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity: Phase 3.2 of the Household Pulse Survey now includes questions on sexual orientation and gender identity, vaccinations of children and the new Child Tax Credit. Learn More About America Counts America Counts tells the stories behind the numbers in a new inviting way. It features stories on various topics such as families, housing, employment, business, education, economy, emergency preparedness, health, population, income and poverty. Contact our Public Information Office for media inquiries or interviews. Don't miss an America Counts story! Subscribe here.

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