Michael Swayze's Community Resources

Author: Michael Swayze

  • Child Tax Credit (CTC)

    The one-year expansion of the Child Tax Credit (CTC) in the American Rescue Plan is perhaps the most far-reaching piece of family centered legislation to pass Congress in decades as it cuts child poverty by more than 40%. It creates monthly payments for nearly all working families. The purpose of this article is to help explain various aspects of the tax credit and provide links to families who have yet to receive payments.

    Most families will receive monthly payments of either $250 per child ages 6 – 17 or $300 per child under age 6, starting July 15, 2021. Families will get the remaining money when they file their federal income tax return in 2022. It is estimated that about 90% of families with children will get this new tax relief automatically. IRS has planned distribution dates for the CTC checks for July 15, August 13, September 15, October 15, November 15, and December 15.

    People who did not file either a 2019 or 2020 federal income tax form, or claim an Economic Impact Payment or Recovery Rebate Credit (stimulus checks) can use the IRS Child Tax Credit Non-filer Sign-up Tool to receive advance CTC payments. The tool or portal is available to help non tax-filers, low-income families, and other underserved groups. It was set up for people who typically don’t file tax returns.

    A question often raised is whether the CTC will affect other government benefits (like SSI, SNAP, TANF, or WIC)? The answer, per the White House CTC page, reads: “No. Receiving Child Tax Credit payments is not considered income for any family.Therefore, it will not change the amount you receive in other Federal benefits. These Federal benefits include unemployment insurance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, SSDI, TANF, WIC, Section 8, or Public Housing.”

    The new maximum child tax credit is available to taxpayers with a modified adjusted gross income (AGI) of:

    • $75,000 or less for singles,
    • $112,500 or less for heads of household, and
    • $150,000 or less for married couples filing a joint return and qualified widows and widowers.

    There is also a CTC Update Portal which can be used to: check if you’re enrolled to receive advance payments, provide or update bank account information, and to unenroll and stop getting monthly advance payments.

    For more information visit: ChildTaxCredit.gov.

    Download the Child Tax Credit Explainer (PDF).

    IRS’ Advance Child Tax Credit Payments in 2021 page.

    IRS’ CTC Non-filer Sign-up Tool.

    IRS’ CTC Update Portal.

    Get Your Child Tax Credit – a nonprofit’s page.

    2021 CTC Outreach Resources – by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

  • Thinking of Running for Office?

    Navigate Pennsylvania Policy & Governance Training

    If you have ever wondered, “How did this bozo get elected?” the answer may be, “because no one ran against them.” We have a solution to that problem. You can run for office.

    If you have ever thought about running for office, if you ran for office recently and need more guidance on governing, or if you just won a primary and need some help before the general – this free course may be for you.

    This course, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, runs for 6 weeks, kicking off the week of June 14th and running through the week of July 26th.

    For more information and to sign up: https://et.run/pbpc2101.

    Dare to Run Info Webinar – June 10th

    Dare to Run, a nationally recognized 501 (c)3 nonprofit, educates and empowers women on their journey to public office at the local, state, and national level. Women candidates can participate in Dare to Run’s one-year certificate program as they pursue careers in public service. This info webinar covers the application process for their third leadership cohort which closes in August.

    This webinar will be held on June 10th, from 6:30pm to 7:30pm ET. To register, visit: https://buff.ly/3tekzKL.

  • Info for the May 18 Primary Election

    [The following information is based on an email issued May 1 to members and friends of Open Wards Philadelphia. Used with permission.]

    With the May 18 primary coming up fast, please share the information below with your networks! Forward away!!!

    CHECK YOUR CURRENT STATUS

    • Check your current status. Remember that only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote for candidates in primary elections. All voters regardless of party affiliation can vote on ballot questions.

    WHO CAN VOTE BY MAIL

    • Voting by mail is safe, secure and convenient, with the benefit of providing time to review and complete your ballot at home. Any registered PA voter is allowed to request a Mail-in Ballot. (Don’t bother with the Absentee!)
    • Request a Mail-in Ballot ASAP. Applications must be received by Tuesday, May 11, at 5 pm. Postmarks don’t count.  Voters who apply online must already be registered and can use either their PA driver’s license number or the last four digits of their social security number. Learn more.
    • Make sure to enter your email with your Mail-in Ballot application, and you will get updates as it is processed and as your ballot goes from your county to you and back to be counted. Check the status of your Mail-in Ballot.

    HOW TO COMPLETE YOUR MAIL-IN BALLOT

    Follow these steps carefully:

    1. Fill out your ballot: Read the instructions and make your selections in every race and question on the ballot, front and back. Don’t vote for more candidates than you are allowed.
    2. Pack and seal it: Put your ballot in the plain secrecy envelope that says “Official Election Ballot” and seal. Then put the secrecy envelope in the larger ballot-return envelope with “Business Reply Mail” on the front.
    3. Sign it and date it and seal it: Complete the “Voter’s Declaration” on the ballot-return envelope. Make sure to sign AND date it. Seal the ballot-return envelope. Ballots will not be counted if the Voter’s Declaration is unsigned or undated, according to a November court ruling.
    4. Return it by mail or dropbox:
      1. By mail – Do this EARLY. Ballots must be received by 8 pm on May 18 to be counted. Postmarks do not count. A grace period, available for the Presidential Election last November, no longer applies.
      2. At a dropbox – Drop off your voted ballot at one of fourteen convenient, monitored 24/7, secure dropboxes. Find a list at PhiladelphiaVotes.com.
      3. In person – The Board of Elections office in City Hall, Room 140 is currently open for in-person mail-ballot voting. Voters may request a mail-in ballot in-person, receive it, vote, and return it all during the same visit. Room 140 is open from 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday and on Election Day until 8pm. Voters should enter through the south gate of City Hall.

    WHAT’S ON THE BALLOT THIS ELECTION?

    A lot! We recommend checking out the following resources: