Washington, D.C. –– Today, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet welcomed new data from the U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey (HPS) that found 3 in 10 families with at least one child in school used their first three Child Tax Credit (CTC) monthly payments to cover school expenses. The survey also found that in August, 1 in 4 families with only young kids not yet in school were more likely to spend their payments on child care. 

“It’s clear the Child Tax Credit is providing parents and kids across the country with the support they need, whether it be child care, after-school programs, tutoring, rent, or groceries,” said Bennet. “The security provided by the expanded CTC is exactly why I’m fighting for families to receive the credit for years to come.”

According to the Internal Revenue Service, about 35 million eligible families received up to $300 for each child under age 6 and up to $250 for each child ages 6 to 17 in July, August, September, and October. Payments will continue every month through December. If a family is eligible for the advance CTC payments, but is not required to file taxes, they can enter their information here by November 15, 2021 to ensure they receive their advance payments. 

The Census Bureau’s full analysis is available HERE.

Bennet has championed the expansion of the CTC for years and is currently pushing for its inclusion in President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better budget. In March, President Biden signed into law a one-year expansion of the CTC, based on Bennet’s American Family Act, in the American Rescue Plan Act. This expansion is projected to cut nationwide child poverty nearly in half this year and benefit 90% of American children.