Child Tax Credit Expansion
Income support
This project originated from scholars employed at Washington University’s Social Policy Institute. The Institute integrated with Washington University’s Center for Social Development in January 2025.
The 2021 temporary expansion of the Child Tax Credit (CTC) was unprecedented in its reach and predicted to cut American child poverty by more than half. The CTC expansion provides families with $3,600 for every child in the household under the age of six and $3,000 for every child between the ages of six and 17. The vast majority of U.S. families with children were eligible for the CTC. The Washington University research team conducted studies to understand the effect that the expansion had on American families.
National Survey on CTC Impacts
A nationally representative survey using the NORC/Amerispeak probability-based online panel, seeks to understand how families use their tax credit and its effect on their employment and wellbeing. This research examines the impacts of the CTC on family household well-being through 2022. The Wave 2 report was published with the Global Economy and Development program at Brookings Institution.
State by State Analysis
Using the Census’ House Pulse Survey data, researchers at the institute analyzed usages of the credit state-by-state and the CTC’s effect on employment nationally.
The state briefs use data from the Census Household Pulse survey to examine how a representative sample of CTC-eligible families making less than $150,000 a year report using their payments. This survey was administered in 2021 between July 21 and August 16, covering the period in which the first two CTC payments were deposited in families’ bank account. These fact sheets include key data on CTC receipt, payment usage, and changes in families’ food security after the payments went out.
A combined report contains a national overview, 50 state fact sheets, in addition to Washington D.C.
Note: Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories are not included because while they are eligible for the expanded CTC, there is no provision for them to file for or receive advance payments. Additionally, the territories are not included in the Household Pulse Surveys, so updated data about household impacts are not available for analysis.
Funding Partners: Annie E. Casey Foundation, Humanity Forward
Principal Investigators
