2025 U.S. Poverty Laser Talks
Child Tax Credit (CTC)
Engage: The Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) are vital supports for millions of families and workers. But millions more experiencing poverty are left out.
Problem: Currently, seventeen million children receive only a partial CTC because their parents earn too little. And the EITC is only available to those aged 25 to 64 and is limited for those without any dependents.
Inform: In 2025, Congress has an opportunity to close these gaps in the CTC and EITC. First, Congress should ensure that all eligible families receive the full CTC. Right now, a family with four children earning $25,000 per year only receives a $3,375 credit, while a similar family making $400,000 receives $8,000. And low-wage workers without dependents receive at most $600 from the EITC. They are then taxed into poverty. We should increase their EITC and expand the credit to younger workers and seniors.
Call to Action: Investing in our families and workforce is the best way to achieve our shared goal of healthy and prosperous communities. In any tax legislation this year, will you support expanding the CTC and EITC to more hardworking families and people with low incomes? In addition, will you work to ensure vital programs like Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, SNAP and WIC are not cut to finance tax cuts?
Renter Tax Credit (RTC)
Engage: The tax code provides billions in tax subsidies to homeowners, developers, businesses, and landlords. But there is almost nothing for the nearly 44 million renters.
Problem: In 2022, 22.4 million renter households spent more than 30 percent of their income on rent and utilities. 12.1 million people spent more than 50 percent. Existing programs do not meet the needs of most rent-burdened households.
Inform: Current housing tax policy provides generous benefits to wealthy people and corporations. A refundable renter tax credit (RTC) could help correct this imbalance. The credit would support rent-burdened households with low incomes and be paid monthly. The RTC would cover rent expenses above 30 percent of income up to the average local market rent. Capping these out-of-pocket rent and utilities expenses will ensure renters can afford a safe place to live. It would help stabilize housing, lower evictions, and reduce homelessness. [share how a monthly RTC would help you]
Call to Action: An RTC is an important step towards fixing the inequities in our tax system and addressing the affordable housing crisis. Will you support using the tax code to target relief to renters via a renter tax credit? Are you open to looking at specific policies that would use the tax code in this way?
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Engage: Congress is overdue in passing a new Farm Bill. This bill includes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or “SNAP.” SNAP helps millions of Americans put food on the table each month.
Problem: Unfortunately, SNAP continues to be under attack. Many lawmakers want harmful cuts that limit benefits, access, and choice.
Inform: SNAP provides direct food assistance to nearly 40 million Americans per month. Most recipients are working families with children, elderly persons, and people with disabilities. SNAP participation is highest in rural counties. As Congress considers a new Farm Bill, lawmakers must reject efforts to cut or restrict SNAP. Instead, they should expand access and increase benefits for the people who need it most. This will help [find SNAP data for your state] of your constituents meet their basic needs.
Call to Action: Will you speak to the House Agriculture Committee Chair and ranking member and (or) the Senate Agriculture Committee Chair and ranking member? Urge them to protect and strengthen SNAP in the new Farm Bill. Also, will you work to oppose any cuts to SNAP as a means to finance reckless policies like tax cuts for the wealthy?