LOS ANGELES — Thousands of families across the nation will begin receiving their first child tax credit payment this month.
The American Rescue Plan allows money to be deposited into parents’ bank accounts every month until December.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis said the payments will help thousands of local families and boost the county economically.
“Every single dollar you have that’s spent out in the community to pay for services or consumption of goods can help to have a domino effect and generate another $3,” Solis said. “That’s going to help revitalize our communities, especially the hard-pressed but also for those individual child care providers that have child care systems in place at their home, that is going to be an even bigger game changer.”
The payments will be a game changer for North Hills mother, Kenya Estevez, who had to stop working during the pandemic to take care of her children, as her husband’s hours were cut at work. She also had to stop pursuing her high school diploma.
“It’s been tough,” Estevez said. “I was in school, and then my daughters had to stay home with me…and I had to take [time] away from my school to help her.”
She had been volunteering at North Valley Caring Services, helping serve food to families in need, but she also needed help during the pandemic. The program provided meals and child care for her family.
The payments will help wash away a lot of debt for Estevez, who is eligible to receive $6,600.
Eventually, she was able to finish her high school program and graduated with her diploma. She’s now studying to become a medical assistant.
“My daughters are my motivation to keep on going to improve our life,” Estevez said.
All children with social security numbers qualify for the tax credit, according to Solis. Families who are unsure if they qualify can contact LA County. The county Office of Immigrant Affairs is also available to help.