Parents urge better outreach for DC child tax credit, cite guaranteed-income pilot

Several parents and program participants urged the Committee on Business and Economic Development to improve outreach so eligible District families actually receive the recently passed local child tax credit and other cash-support programs.

At a committee hearing, several witnesses described how the child tax credit and guaranteed-income pilots have helped their families and asked the Council and District agencies to make the benefits easier to access. "The child tax credit will help parents pay for education programs and transportation," said Mrs. Jackson, a Mothers Outreach Network participant. "But how are you gonna get the message out to people that don't know they can receive a tax credit?"

Why it matters: The witnesses said the credit and related pilots provide short-term relief for families with young children but that some eligible residents may not file taxes or otherwise receive information about the new benefit. Committee members acknowledged the testimony and referenced longer-term programs intended to build generational wealth.

Mrs. Jackson told the committee she receives Supplemental Security Income and Mothers Up guaranteed-income payments and described spending the payments on rent, food and bills. She recommended the District add child tax credit information to existing enrollment and benefit apps and have tax officials coordinate with the District Department of Human Services to avoid sending benefits to the wrong household. "The best way I think that y'all can help get people receiving their money for their newborns and their 6 year olds is by putting it on the DC app," she said.

Jasmine Holmes, a Ward 8 resident and Mothers Outreach Network member, said she and other mothers testified to help secure the local child tax credit and urged the Council to ensure outreach reaches families who have never filed taxes. "There are some people who have never filed before. I am worried that people won't learn about it," Holmes said. She suggested that trusted caseworkers who interact with families receiving housing assistance, SNAP or WIC distribute pamphlets and flyers explaining eligibility and reassure families that receiving the credit will not automatically jeopardize other benefits.

Panel response and context: Committee members thanked witnesses for their advocacy. Committee remarks referenced the Child Wealth Building Act, commonly called "Baby Bonds," which the Council previously enacted to set aside funds for children born into eligible families until they turn 18. "It would provide trust funds and accounts for young people ... so they can use it for wealth building activities like going to college or taking up a trade," a committee member said in response to testimony.

What witnesses asked for: - Better outreach and enrollment assistance to ensure eligible families file taxes and claim the credit. - Coordination between tax officials and human-services caseworkers to reduce administrative errors. - Expansion or permanence of guaranteed-income pilots such as Mothers Up and the Strong Families/Strong Future programs so families do not lose supports when pilots end.

Clarifying note: Witnesses described the Mothers Up guaranteed-income pilot as a private pilot providing monthly cash with no strings attached; one witness said her enrollment in that pilot will end in about a year and a half. The panel did not take formal votes during public testimony.

Looking ahead: Witnesses were invited to submit written testimony for the record and committee staff noted the public-comment deadline and upcoming oversight hearings for continued discussion of program design and outreach.