Higgins announces launch of GetCTC.org

New mobile-friendly & bilingual portal aims to make it easier for families to receive Child Tax Credit

Congressman Brian Higgins on Wednesday announced the launch of GetCTC.org, what he called an easier way for Western New York families to sign up to receive the Child Tax Credit. The new portal, made possible through a collaboration between the White House and Code for America, includes a mobile-friendly design that allows parents to register on a cellular phone with both English and Spanish language features available.

A press release noted, “Before approval of the American Rescue Plan, 50% of minority families and one-third of all families who were eligible didn’t receive the Child Tax Credit. According to the U.S. Treasury, since monthly distribution of the Child Tax Credit began in July, 26 million lower-income children are now getting the Child Tax Credit for the first time.”

Higgins said, “Approximately 91% of Western New York families are eligible to receive the expanded Child Tax Credit. Our goal is to make sure every child entitled to receive this monthly payment gets it.”

Through the American Rescue Plan, Higgins supported an increase in the Child Tax Credit from $2,000 to $3,000 per child ages 6-17 and $3,600 for children 5 and under. The law allows for families to receive half of the annual credit in monthly payments distributed each month from July through December 2021. Families using the direct deposit feature will see the credit deposited around the 15th of each month listed as “CHILD CTC.”

Higgins, who serves as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which oversees federal tax policy, said he is working to make monthly distribution of the expanded tax credit permanent.

Those interested can visit GetCTC.org to see if they are eligible, and sign up. Individuals who don’t have access to the internet can call the IRC Child Tax Credit helpline at 1-800-908-4184.