Middlesex United Way Joins Statewide Call for Connecticut Child Tax Credit

HARTFORD, CT — Middlesex United Way joined other local United Ways from across Connecticut at the State Capitol earlier this month to support a proposed permanent, refundable Child Tax Credit (CTC).

House Bill 5134, sponsored by 77 House Democratic members, including several representing Middlesex County, would provide a fully refundable tax credit of $600 per child, for up to three children, to households earning up to $100,000 for single filers and $200,000 for joint filers.

State Rep. Kate Farrar, Deputy Majority Leader, spoke in support of a bill during the news conference at the Legislative Office Building.

“A CTC is a proven way to deliver meaningful financial relief, ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive, and strengthen our local economy,” Farrar said.

Lawmakers were joined by parents who shared personal stories about the rising cost of living in Connecticut.

Marinda Monfilston, a mother of two from Cromwell, said a child tax credit would help cover expenses such as child care, groceries, car payments, and mortgage costs.

“Investing in our children is not a handout; it is an investment in the future of our state,” Monfilston said, adding that a permanent child tax credit would benefit not just her family, but 76% of families in her hometown of Cromwell and about three quarters of families across the state.

Ivy Royster, a mother from Stratford, described the financial balancing act many families face.

“Every month feels like a balancing act,” Royster said. “Before I can think about giving my daughter opportunities to grow, I have to make sure the basics are covered.”

Royster added that providing nutritious meals for her family has become more difficult as the prices continue to climb. "When you walk into the grocery store, you can feel the difference in your cart. The healthier you eat, the higher the total climbs, and as a parent it is exhausting to constantly calculate whether I can afford nutrition."

Dr. Emily Hogeland, a Hartford-based pediatrician and mother, also spoke about the connection between financial stability and children’s health.

“One study has shown that one in four low-income families has resorted to watering down formula or restricting how much formula they feed their infants due to limited resources,” Hogeland said while sharing that she once witnessed a mother lose her job on the same day her child was admitted to the hospital. “A child tax credit would lessen the need for families to make this devastating choice between supporting their children's health and financial well-being.”

“Children may only be twenty percent of our population, but they are one hundred percent of our future,” Hogeland added. “It's time we invest in them.”

More information about the proposal is available on the Middlesex United Way website.

Middlesex United Way is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving lives and creating positive change within the community. Middlesex United Way’s Community Impact Council, made up of volunteers from a variety of backgrounds, awarded more than $300,000 to over a dozen local agencies as part of the 2025-2026 grant cycle. Middlesex United Way also provided funding for Connecticut’s 2-1-1 Helpline that connects callers with vital resources related to housing, employment, and mental health services. To learn more about Middlesex United Way’s work, you can visit the organization’s website: MiddlesexUnitedWay.org.