Majority of Parents Say $300/child Monthly Payments Would Have a Huge Impact on Their Family’s Financial Wellbeing
Two Thirds of Families Say They Would Spend the Credit on Rent, Food or Utilities
February 18, 2021 – According to a new survey released by the family advocacy group, ParentsTogether Action, 87% of families support the proposal by Democrats in Congress to provide up to $3600 per child to families as additional COVID relief. If the proposal passes, the IRS would distribute monthly payments, totaling $3600 per child under the age of 6 per year and $3000 per child ages 6 to 17.
The survey, which was conducted to a random sample of ParentsTogether members via Facebook Messenger, found that the overwhelming majority of parents favor “kid cash,” President Biden’s proposal to expand the child tax credit and make it refundable, as part of the American Rescue Plan:
- Only 5% of respondents said they oppose the $300/month child allowance, one of the signature proposals of Biden’s relief legislation
- 63% of respondents said this would be a “huge deal” for their families, and over 90% said it would be helpful, with more than two thirds of respondents saying that money would help pay for rent, utilities, food, or childcare.
- The survey found 70% of respondents would be more likely to vote for politicians who support it.
In surveying US families, ParentsTogether Action, which represents more than 2.5 million parents across the country, also found that an overwhelming 81% of parents say they are struggling as a result of the pandemic, intensifying the need for federal assistance. Nearly two thirds of survey respondents are unhappy with the level of support families have received throughout the pandemic, and 85% of respondents support President Biden’s $1.9 trillion “American Rescue Plan” which would help with cash assistance, rent relief, and child care.
“Nearly a year into the pandemic, families are desperate, with millions of children going hungry every single day. The ‘kid cash’ proposal would be a lifeline for families that are struggling to stay afloat. Congress should pass kid cash immediately. And they should make sure it goes to every family that needs it, regardless of immigration status,” said Justin Ruben, co-director of ParentsTogether. “Congress needs to know that parents are paying attention and will reward those who work to pass this relief.”
The data from the survey makes it clear that for parents across the country, the need for immediate relief comes before politics. 84% of respondents felt that it was more important to deliver more relief than to pass a bipartisan relief bill, which might be smaller.
Other toplines from the survey include:
- 78% are frustrated with the Republican senators who voted against advancing Biden’s plan.
- 45% of respondents said Congress’ failure to deliver meaningful relief “definitely” impacted how they voted in the 2020 election, and 71% of respondents said if members of Congress don’t vote to pass meaningful relief now, it will “definitely” or “probably” impact the way they plan to vote in the near future.
When asked what they thought of the Kid Cash proposal in their own words, ParentsTogether members made their support abundantly clear — here are a few examples:
That would help so much as we have bills that are falling behind. People are making the choice to go steal because they can’t buy what their babies need all the time, so I’d say yes do it.
Cheyanne in Idaho
That money alone would mean groceries for my family and child care when I go back to work
Star in Florida
Having a household where both parents work a minimum of 40 hours a week and are still struggling to get by is normal for this country. Most parents are working multiple jobs to make ends meet and this money would help families be able to spend more time together and have some relief.
Morgan in Michigan
In response to the question “If you could talk with your Member of Congress about what elected officials should do to help, what would you say?,” ParentsTogether members demanded action:
Get help for your constituents or plan on being voted out. Pass it quickly or I’ll vote against you.
Dean in Missouri
I’ve been in the workforce and a taxpayer for over 30 years of my life. I have never asked for help, but my family and so many others desperately need significant help now. We’re not living extravagant lives or above our means. We don’t have financial assets to fall back on and what little savings and credit we did have to help float us is gone. Our children are suffering. Our family structures are crumbling. We need you to see outside of your own blessed position in life and help us.
Jennifer in South Carolina