#192 Joseph Leitmann-Santa Cruz

This episode is a call to action for ending childhood poverty in America. Joseph Leitmann-Santa Cruz, CEO and Executive Director of Capital Area Asset Builders (CAAB) wants listeners to direct limited income families to the IRS Child Tax Credit (CTC) portal to apply for a refund by the November 15 deadline. We have, as Joseph explains, a once in a lifetime opportunity to lift more than half of low-income families out of poverty and keep them out. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit are this nation's most effective poverty alleviation policies, but many eligible households are unaware of them. And to be clear, they are not public benefits. The CTC allows families whose incomes are limited or sporadic to collect refunds due to them. The payments can be transformational, allowing parents to start a college fund, pursue home ownership or start a business. The Biden Administration strongly supports the Child Tax Credit, and it was expanded but not made permanent in the American Rescue Plan of 2021. As Joseph says, we seem to lack the political will to position all families to reach their American Dream.