Food insufficiency in families with children increased after expiration of Child Tax Credit monthly payments
Summary
Advance Child Tax Credit payments that distributed monthly cash payments for children were associated with a 26% reduction in food insufficiency in households with children. After the advance CTC expired in February, there was a 12% increase in food insufficiency in households with children.
Conclusions
- The pandemic and inflation continue to cause economic hardship, including due to missed work.
- CTC monthly payments were associated with reduced food insufficiency among families with children, averting hardship that may have lifelong effects on children’s health, education, and well-being.
- This research supports extension of the advance CTC payments as an evidence-based policy for reducing food insufficiency, supporting child health, education, and contributions to society.
- There is an urgent need to restart the expanded CTC monthly payments to families.