Economic Security Project Action is proud to announce its support for Congresswoman Gwen Moore’s (WI-4) Worker Relief and Credit Reform (WRCR) Act, which would provide cash benefits for some 161 million Americans, roughly half of the United States.
Along with Congresswoman Moore, the WRCR Act is supported by former and current Congressional Black Caucus chairs Reps. Marcia Fudge and Karen Bass; Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and Mark Pocan (D-WI), and House Ways and Means members Reps. Davis (D-IL) and Chu (D-CA) and many more. The WRCR Act would:
Increase the amount of the EITC to $4,000/yr for single or $8,000/yr for married filers;
Expand eligibility further into the middle class to individuals making up to $50,000 and families earning up to $90,000;
Modernize the EITC to include unpaid family caregivers and low-income students;
Allow for recipients to receive the credit in monthly payments;
Expand the age of eligibility to include all workers 18 or older; and
Expand benefits to working adults without dependent children.
Corey Lee, a 26-year-old single father of two, describes a hit-and-run car accident he overcame through an emergency cash program. Here, he explains how how the WRCR would be similarly impactful.
The Census Bureau’s 2019 report on income and poverty found that refundable tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) lifted nearly 8 million Americans out of poverty last year. More than half (52.8%) of those lifted out of poverty by refundable tax credits were children.
Currently, workers must be at least 25 and no older than 65 to get the EITC, but with these expansions and modernizations, many more Americans would see their contributions recognized and seen as eligible for this valuable tax credit.
Ann Perry, a mother of 4, and grandmother of 5, explains how much $300 a month would mean to her. Dropped out in 8th grade, had a problem with drugs, got GED at age 47 (5 years ago), and now in school for associates degree.