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Ahead of Thanksgiving, Kansas City Parents Share How New Middle Class Tax Cut Is Helping Them Afford Clothes, Groceries

November 24, 2021

Davids-backed Child Tax Credit puts $150 million in tax cuts back in Kansas families’ pockets

Representative Sharice Davids, a member of the Joint Economic Committee (JEC), shared new JEC data today estimating that in the Kansas Third District, 91,000 Child Tax Credit monthly tax cuts were delivered to families' bank accounts the week before Thanksgiving—a total of $37.9 million covering 148,000 children. Davids is the only member of the Kansas delegation who voted for this tax cut, which was expanded and improved through the American Rescue Plan to put more money back in the pockets of more families with children.

Local Third District parents shared what that extra money will mean to them ahead of the holiday:

"I'm using the Child Tax Credit to get my children new clothing as the temperatures are changing and they've outgrown last year's warm clothes. I'm also using that money for groceries and help for my utility bill—even with help from LIHEAP for the gas bill, I'm one month behind because our car is messing up on us," said Jenny Guzman, a Kansas City, Kansas mom. "I'm also using it to buy personal items such as shampoo for the kids. It's big help—I don't know how behind I'd be without it. I'm really thankful."

"It's making a big difference for my kids this year. Every year, about this time, I'm usually looking for a Thanksgiving basket or free winter coat donation. This year we went and were able to buy what we needed for them—and in the correct size. As a parent, I am grateful I do not need to find a Thanksgiving basket this year. It's lovely—I feel great as a mom," said Veronica Fernandez, a Kansas City, Kansas mom.

"Right around the time we had our daughter, a tree fell on our garage. Both of our cars died. We really turned to the stimulus as our safety net," said Crystal Henry, a Merriam, Kansas mom. "When I first found out about this child tax credit, at first I didn't believe that it was actually happening. We are really going to get that extra support that helps stabilize our family."

Statewide, 322,000 monthly tax cuts went to Kansas families in November for a total of $150 million. The average tax cut per household was $466. Nationally, the Treasury Department distributed nearly $16 billion to the hardworking families of over 61 million children. The monthly tax cut also yields economy-wide benefit: the Joint Economic Committee estimates the Child Tax Credit will generate $19.3 billion in spending in local economies each month.

"I voted for the expanded Child Tax Credit to give hardworking Kansas parents like Veronica, Jenny, and Crystal a tax cut each month that they can use to cover costs from child care to food to warm winter clothes," said Davids. "And the impact of this tax cut is not abstract: hundreds of dollars the week before Thanksgiving means gas in the car for that trip to Grandma's house or extra grocery money to get a delicious turkey dinner on the table."

The American Rescue Plan expanded the Child Tax Credit to up to $3,600 per child for children ages 0 to 5 and $3,000 per child for children ages 6 to 17. In addition, it authorized advance monthly payments for eligible families (as opposed to a lump sum payment) and eliminated the minimum income requirement, so more families in need are eligible. For more information on the Child Tax Credit, its impact on the Third District, and information on eligibility, see here.