Thread by @NiskanenCenter

Come join @hamandcheese, @RepDelBene, @SenatorBennet and other leading experts for a dialogue on reducing child poverty. We’ll be live tweeting the event. See the highlights here! @TCFdotorg eventbrite.com/e/how-would-a-…

Sophie Collyer: Most wealthy nations have some form of child allowance as part of their network of social policies. The closest thing we have in the U.S. is the Child Tax Credit.

This credit leaves out the 1/3 of children who would benefit the most. If your tax liability exceeds the credit amount, you can only receive a partial refund.

Sophie Collyer: The Canada Child Benefit is described as the “most significant social policy innovation in a generation.” This system targets those that would benefit the most from the program. Families with incomes below $21,300 USD were eligible for the maximum benefit.

Sophie Collyer: If the U.S. followed this program, child poverty could be reduced by more than half. And 1.5 million children would be moved out of deep poverty.

.@StabileMark: In Canada, in response to COVID-19, a quick economic top-off was easily created for those on Child Benefit back in April. Because they’re already getting monthly benefits, it made it even easier to increase support as needed.

Vonnie McLoyd: Income poverty itself, causes negative child outcomes. Many programs that alleviate poverty directly (such as the EITC), have been shown to directly improve child well-being.

.@hamandcheese: The politics around tax relief and child poverty on the right has been shifting. Many are realizing that child allowances are a way to promote family stability and invest in children. niskanencenter.org/the-impact-of-…

.@RepDelBene: Every child in this country deserves the opportunity to succeed...And we’ve seen that if we provide people with the tools they need when they need them, we can see incredible success.

Thanks to @TCPdotorg for hosting a great discussion. Check out their new report for more info.
tcf.org/content/report…