American Rescue Plan expanded Child Tax Credit begins delivering monthly payments

The expanded Child Tax Credit from the American Rescue Plan begins delivering monthly payments of $250-$300 per child to approximately 35 million families, the first time in US history that the child tax credit is paid monthly. The expansion increases the credit from $2,000 to $3,000 per child (ages 6-17) and $3,600 for children under 6, and makes it fully refundable for the first time, meaning the lowest-income families who previously received nothing now receive the full credit. By December 2021, child poverty falls to 12%, nearly half of the pre-pandemic rate of 18%. The expanded CTC expires at year's end when Manchin blocks its extension in Build Back Better.