National Information Related to COVID-19, Especially Concerning Children, Families, and Child Care Providers
The U.S. Government is currently evaluating and modifying federal programs and creating new ones in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Check back often for new information.
Update on the American Rescue Plan Expanded Child Tax Credit
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) said the expanded Child Tax Credit, which is part of the American Rescue Plan, will start sending out checks to eligible families next week.
The checks will come on a monthly basis from July 15 through December and will directly help children living in poverty.
“We’re going to see if sending money directly to the families each month will have an impact. I think it will,” Durbin said.
Families with children under the age of six can now receive up to $3,600 per child, and families with children ages 6 to 17 can receive up to $3,000 per child for 2021. Monthly advance payments of up to $300 per child under six and up to $250 per child between the ages of six and 17 will begin next Thursday. The IRS says the remainder of the tax credit will be applied to taxes filed next Spring.
Families will automatically be sent checks if they have filed tax returns during the past two-years. Senator Durbin said he hopes Congress can pass legislation that will make those payments permanent.
Read the full WAND News story and learn more about the expanded Child Tax Credit.
FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has launched the availability of the FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program, which provides a temporary discount on monthly broadband bills for qualifying low-income consumers. Eligible households can enroll through an approved broadband service provider or by visiting the GetEmergencyBroadband.org site. Eligible households can receive:
- Up to a $50-per-month discount on your broadband service and associated equipment rentals
- A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)
Only one monthly service discount and one device discount are allowed per household. Program rules acknowledge that there may be more than one eligible household member residing at the same address.
Help in applying for the program is available from the Emergency Broadband Support Center by emailing EBBHelp@usac.org or calling (833) 511-0311.
The EBB Program will end when funds are exhausted or six months after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) health emergency, whichever is sooner.
The USDA has issued a new national wavier for the Child and Adult Food Program (CACFP) that allows for offsite monitoring and it is effective immediately through September 30, 2021. As a reminder, state agencies must opt in to Nationwide Waivers offered by the USDA so check with your state agency for further guidance. We applaud and thank the USDA for taking action during this pandemic to protect the health of essential workers, children and adults in care, and the entire CACFP community.
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, enacted on March 18, 2020, will provide needed funding and flexibility to federal nutrition programs to make them more accessible and responsive to individuals in need due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The following provisions will enable federal nutrition programs to both continue serving existing participants during the pandemic and help meet the increased need for nutrition assistance.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus – The SBA is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19. Download the Informational Webinar slides. Get the application.
Coronavirus-related Paid Leave and Business Tax Credits - Treasury, IRS and Labor announce plan to implement Coronavirus-related paid leave for workers and tax credits for small and midsize businesses to swiftly recover the cost of providing Coronavirus-related leave.