provided by Congress in 2020. While these checks have already been issued, people who have not
received one or more of them may sll claim the aid.
How do families get it? More informaon about the $1,400 smulus checks can be found on the
Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) website here. Families can track the status of their aid payments using
the IRS Get My Payment tool. To claim the 2020 smulus payments, families must le a 2020 tax return
(even if they do not usually le, or are not required to le) and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit.
Payments will be included in their 2020 refund. If a family needs assistance with compleng their taxes,
they may be eligible for free services via the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites in their area.
Child Care Expenses and Early Childhood Development
What should families know? The ARP expanded the Child and Dependent Care Credit, which refunds
half the cost parents pay for child care (center-based care, babysiers, summer camp, or other types),
while they are working or looking for work. If a family spends $8,000 on a child’s care expenses, the
family can receive a $4,000 credit. ITIN holders, including immigrant families with children born in the
U.S with a social security number, are eligible to receive this credit.
The ARP also increased funding for child care programs: the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF),
which passes funding through states to families to help with the cost of child care, and Head Start
programs, which provide comprehensive services to children and families. The law also provided states
with more exibility in making families eligible for CCDF funds.
How do families get it? Families should keep records of their child care expenses to report on
their 2021 tax returns. Even those who do not owe taxes should le a return because the Child and
Dependent Care Credit will be fully refundable, similar to the Earned Income Tax Credit. Families can
check www.childcare.gov to nd out if they are newly eligible for child care assistance through their
state CCDF program, given the expansion in funding and eligibility for this program.
Families may be able to locate a Head Start program that is currently enrolling pregnant mothers,
babies, toddlers and preschoolers, using the Head Start Center locator or by phone at 1-866-763-6481
(toll-free).
Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund (PEAF)
What should families know? In June 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
released almost $1 billion in aid as part of the Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund (PEAF). This fund
is designed to help families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and who are in-need. The aid may
be given to families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) but may serve other
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