American Rescue Plan: Resources for Children and Families
For many Arkansans, times are tough.
Help is available through the American Rescue Plan. Earlier this year, Congress passed a COVID-19 relief plan to help Americans impacted by the pandemic and resulting economic crisis. Through this plan, you may qualify for one or more of the benefits below to get you and your family through this difficult time.
Overview of the American Rescue Plan
- $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill
- Builds on CARES Act and December 2020 COVID relief bills
- Provides economic relief to individuals, families, and communities dealing with the ongoing COVID-19 health emergency
Resources for Children and Families
Download our sharable handout.
Tax Credits
Increased Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
What?
Earned Income Tax Credit benefit increased for childless workers. It was $540; this year it is $1,500. Fully refundable.
Who can get it?
Workers 19 or older without children making no more than $21,000/year
How to access it:
File the federal income tax return in 2022
Child Tax Credit (CTC)
What?
Child Tax Credit (CTC) benefit increase, was $2,000 per child, now $3,000 per child age 6 to 17, $3,600 per child age 5 and below. Fully refundable.
Who can get it?
Parents of dependent children 17 or younger
How to access it:
Based on the taxes you filed in 2021, you may receive advance, monthly payments for your 2022 filing from July to December 2021. The IRS has a portal with more information, including how to access the advance payments if you didn’t file taxes this year. Visit the IRS website here.
Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC)
What?
Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) increase, covers up to 50% of qualifying child care & dependent expenses (up from 35%), increases max credit to $4,000 from one dependent or $8,000 for two or more dependents.
Who can get it?
Parents of children under 13 can use the CDCTC to offset the costs of qualifying child care expenses on their taxes.
How to access it:
File the federal income tax return in 2022
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Food Assistance
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
What?
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food assistance benefits increase till Sept. 30, 2021, increases monthly funds to purchase fruit and vegetables from $9 to $35.
Who can get it?
Pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants, and children under age 5 may qualify if they live in Arkansas, have a nutritional need, and an income at or below WIC guidelines, or receive Medicaid, ARKids, TEA or SNAP (Food Stamps).
How to access it:
Apply at your local county health unit. You must call ahead to make an appointment.
SNAP (formerly known as food stamps)
What?
Enhanced SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) benefits till Sept. 30, 2021, average monthly per person increase in Arkansas $28.
Who can get it?
People with qualifying income levels:
- With a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $2,001
- Or with a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $3,001 who share their household with either: A person or persons age 60 and over, or A person with a disability (a child, your spouse, a parent, or yourself).
How to access it:
Apply online at Access Arkansas or at your local DHS office. Spanish language support for completing your application can be provided by calling 1-800-482-8988.
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Housing Assistance
Housing Assistance
What?
Rental assistance, homelessness prevention, outreach for people who are homeless (through multiple programs)
Who can get it?
People who are at risk of becoming homeless and people who are homeless
How to access it:
- People can apply for rental assistance through the Arkansas Fresh Start Program arfreshstart.com and through ar.gov/rentrelief
- You can find other organizations that provide rental assistance and services for people who are homeless and at risk of becoming homeless with the document Arkansas Department of Human Services, 2020-2021 Emergency Solutions Grant Program, COVID Agency Contact List by County.
Spread the word:
Arkansas DHS Arkansas Rent Relief Program Toolkit Guide for community partners and DHS Arkansas Rent Relief Program Toolkit Graphics.
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Health Care
Special Health Insurance Marketplace Enrollment Period
What?
Special Health Insurance Marketplace Enrollment Period through August 15, 2021 (executive order)
Who can get it?
People who want to enroll in a plan or change a Marketplace insurance plan
How to access it:
Apply at healthcare.gov
Spread the word:
If you work directly with families, please see this social media toolkit to help raise awareness about Marketplace programs, including the special enrollment period and Marketplace subsidies. It also includes messaging and graphics on COVID vaccinations.
Expanded Marketplace Premium Subsidies
What?
ACA marketplace premium subsidies are substantially enhanced for people at every income level and, for the first time, offered to those with income above four times the federal poverty level.
Who can get it?
When you apply for Marketplace coverage, you’ll find out if you qualify for a premium tax credit that lowers your monthly premium.
- Income between 100% and 400% FPL: If your income is in this range, in all states you qualify for premium tax credits that lower your monthly premium for a Marketplace health insurance plan.
- Income above 400% FPL: If your income is above 400% FPL, you may now qualify for premium tax credits that lower your monthly premium for a 2021 Marketplace health insurance plan.
How to access it:
Enroll a Marketplace plan (healthcare.gov) and file a federal tax return in 2021
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Other Assistance
Emergency Broadband Benefit
What?
This program will provide up to $50 per month for broadband services for eligible households and a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop, or tablet.
Who can get it?
A household that:
- Has an income at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline;
- Is approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year;
- Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
- Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.
How to access it:
Visit the Federal Communications Commission website for application information
Funeral expenses assistance
What?
Financial assistance for COVID-19 funeral expenses through FEMA
Who can get it?
The applicant must be a “U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien”, but the person who is deceased did not have to be. The person who is deceased must have passed away in the U.S. and their death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19.
How to access it:
Call FEMA to apply 844-684-6333 | TTY: 800-462-7585
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Download our sharable handout.
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