Despite wage gains, lower-income families have been hit hard by inflation and the expiration of pandemic-era benefits.

Nearly 13% of U.S. families struggled to put food on the table that year, according to the USDA — 5 million more households than the year before.

A new report warns that the looming withdrawal of pandemic-era aid for childcare could hurt children and families.

It’s been especially important to low-income families and families of color.

The expansion of the child tax credit was temporary and will expire at the end of the year unless Congress votes to extend it.

Payments to households with children have been made for the second month after a first round that cost $15 billion.

Starting July 15, most parents will get monthly payments for half of the tax credit instead of a lump sum at tax time.

Under the American Rescue Plan, eligible families could receive a monthly payment for each child under 18.

Eligible parents could get monthly checks under the proposal instead of a yearly credit when they file their taxes.

In 2017, the child poverty rate was 18%. Go back nearly three decades to 1990: also 18%.