New child tax credits offer lifeline for some Maine families
The monthly payments will go to some 230,000 Maine families, part of an expanded child tax credit approved by Congress under the American Rescue Plan Act.
Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer
VASSALBORO For Mainers like Susan Kiralis, a new monthly child tax credit payment from the federal government starting in July is going to be a big help in getting her family fully back on its feet in a post-COVID-19 economy.
Kiralis, 30, a single mother with two children ages 5 and 13, saw her family’s finances take a hit when the pandemic forced school shutdowns and suspended the craft fairs and festivals where she sold handmade jewelry. She had full-time child care to attend to and the jewelry sales dried up.
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James Parakilas: Collins should fight systemic racism in Congress by voting for DC statehood, voting rights
In her years in the Senate she has worked tirelessly to produce benefits in the lives and livelihoods of Mainers, but she has never shown courage in the defense of America’s ideals. Now is her chance.
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James Parakilas
In a debate during the 2020 campaign, Sen. Susan Collins famously claimed that systemic racism isn’t a problem in Maine. For Mainers who have experienced it, her claim showed that she didn’t understand systemic racism, or how it works.
What to know about stimulus checks in latest coronavirus relief package Share Updated: 7:11 PM EST Mar 8, 2021 Share Updated: 7:11 PM EST Mar 8, 2021
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Show Transcript W-M-T-W NEWS- 8 S PHIL HIRSCHKORN EXPLAINS WHAT TO EXPECT. (PHIL ON CAM OPEN) AN ESTIMATED 90 PERCENT OF FAMILIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR DIRECT CASH PAYMENTS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND THERE ARE THREE WAYS YOU MIGHT RECEIVE YOURS. (GFX #1: STIMULUS PAYMENT DISTRIBUTION) A PHYSICAL CHECK.OR A PRE- PAID DEBIT CARD.EITHER MAILED TO YOUR HOME ADDRESS.OR A DIRECT DEPOSIT INTO YOU BANK ACCOUNT: IF YOU VE SET áTHATá UP WITH THE I-R-S, THAT S THE FASTEST WAY TO GET THE MONEY. (GFX #2: STIMULUS PAYMENT AMOUNTS) THE NEW STIMULUS AMOUNT IS $1,400. FOR INDIVIDUALS EARNING UP TO $75,000 A YEAR..AND MARRIED COUPLES EARNING UP TO $150,000. EACH DEPENDENT TRIGGERS AN ADDITIONAL $1,400. (GFX #3: STIMULUS PAYMENT FAMILY OF FOUR) .SO A FAMILY OF FOUR COULD RECEIVE UP TO $5,600. (C