UNITED WAY OF CONNECTICUT

As part of the Connecticut Child Tax Credit Coalition, Connecticut United Ways have been advocating for a refundable Child Tax Credit at the state level.  

Legislators, even supportive ones, sometimes struggle to understand the difference these credits can make because they do not hear the voices of ALICE families who would benefit the most. 

As we pursue the passage of the Connecticut Child Tax Credit, we partnered with Trinity College’s Liberal Arts Action Lab to investigate and document the extent of financial hardship among Hartford families with children.

We asked the students to find different ways of presenting the voices of people in Hartford who would directly benefit from a refundable Child Tax Credit. This newsletter unpacks the students’ preliminary research findings and shares some of the voices they uplifted.

SPOTLIGHT

Aurora Kuger is a widowed single parent, paraprofessional educator and cancer survivor from Bethel. She loves her job but makes less than $20 per hour and lives paycheck to paycheck. She wonders how she'll ever afford to pay for college for her smart and loving daughter. Thanks to WTNH News 8 for sharing her powerful story.  

Thank YOU for contacting your legislators to let them know that struggling to afford basic needs is unacceptable. Even one email or phone call makes a big difference:

IN HER OWN WORDS...

MARIA NUÑEZ

Spanish Translator/Interpreter CT Children’s Medical Center

Maria Nuñez has a powerful voice and we’re so grateful to the Action Lab students for so beautifully sharing her story.  

UPCOMING EVENTS

It's Tax Time

In order to qualify for either the Connecticut Child Tax Credit or Earned Income Tax Credit, you must first file your 2023 income taxes. You can file with a social security number or an ITIN. Schedule your free tax preparation appointment now. 

Click here to learn what documents you need to bring with you to your appointment. 

70 percent of Americans qualify for free tax prep. Find out if you qualify:

Plus, check out these resources for more information: 

• Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit 
• Child Tax Credit 
• Earned Income Tax Credit 
• Tax Forms: Federal and State of Connecticut 

MEET + GREET

DANIEL FITZMAURICE

Director of Advocacy 

United Way of Connecticut 

Daniel joined United Way of Connecticut as the Director of Advocacy in February. It's a new role, but “I'm building on the great work the team has already been doing,” he shares. Daniel’s assignment is to advance statewide policy solutions that support ALICE families.  

Daniel first became interested in advocacy work when he became a musician. “I realized fast that a career in the arts too often depends on your wealth, not your talent. That got me interested in making sure everyone has a fair chance to achieve their dreams.” 

Working with people is the most meaningful and rewarding part of Daniel’s work. He shares that “advocacy is all about bringing folks together, even and especially if they don't see eye-to-eye. We all want to make a difference, and that's powerful.” 

Much of Daniel’s time right now is working hard to pass legislation around a CT Child Tax Credit – and he has a personal connection to this work. “As a parent myself, I know raising kids is a challenge. Not even just money-wise, but it takes a lot out of you emotionally, too.

The CT Child Tax Credit is a simple but powerful solution to give families some breathing room to invest in their kids and in whatever else they need to thrive.” 

When Daniel is not working, you can find him and his wife, two elementary school kids and their dog exploring all over Connecticut and Rhode Island, their home states. Otherwise, he’s home with the cat dusting off his piano skills, trying out new recipes and very slowly training for a triathlon.  

DID YOU KNOW?

• You can view the Trinity Action Lab’s preliminary findings here.

• YOU too can lift your voice to the cause and speak out on behalf of families living paycheck to paycheck by contacting your legislator NOW.

• You can read about the CT Child Tax proposal in the news here. 

• You can share these compelling statistics with friends, family and neighbors: 

• If passed, 75% of all Connecticut families will receive a CT Child Tax Credit, including 91% who are Latino and 88% who are Black. 

• Who’s eligible in your town or district: 

• 73% of CT voters support a CT Child Tax Credit. 

• A CT Child Tax Credit benefits 550,000 local children! 

• For every $1 in Child Tax Credit, $1.38 is returned to our economy – that's an incredible 38% return on investment! 



• Connecticut is the only state that taxes a family’s income but does not provide them with tax relief to offset the high costs of raising children. 

VISIT US:

United Way of Connecticut

55 Capital Boulevard, Rocky Hill, CT 06067