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Panel: working-families tax credit lifts families but take-up gaps remain; hash-linkage outreach can help
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Summary
Panelists told the House Finance Committee that the Working Families Tax Credit has delivered hundreds of millions to low-income households but that take-up gaps exist; the California Policy Lab described a privacy-preserving 'hash linkage' approach that identified eligible nonfilers and increased claims via targeted outreach.
State and national advocates told the House Finance Committee that Washington's Working Families Tax Credit has become an important anti-poverty tool but that participation gaps remain — and that data-driven outreach can increase uptake.
Alina Swart, a parent ambassador and recipient, described personal barriers in the application process and urged simplification. "The tax credit has provided peace of mind by helping me and my husband pay for essentials," she said.
Molly Gallagher of the Statewide Poverty Action Network and the Direct Cash Coalition summarized program impacts and policy priorities: the coalition reported the credit delivered $215 million to low- and moderate-income households with an average payment of $723 and said more than 400,000 children benefited. Gallagher urged expanding eligibility (including lowering arbitrary age restrictions), increasing benefit levels and pursuing administrative fixes to reach nonfilers and immigrant households who may fear data sharing.
Evan White of the California Policy Lab presented results from technical work using "hash linkages" to identify eligible but nonclaiming households without exchanging personally identifiable information. White described a randomized outreach trial that informed eligible households about their likely benefit and how to file; the pilot increased take-up and produced additional millions in benefits in California.
Committee members asked about privacy, statutory limits on data sharing, and possible next steps for Washington. Panelists recommended practical steps including streamlined eligibility verification, categorical eligibility for some state benefits, and targeted outreach to nonfilers. The committee adjourned with no immediate action recorded on the credit.
