Millions of Americans who have never filed a tax return will need to do so this year in order to claim what's coming to them under the enhanced child tax credit.

President Joe Biden and leading Democratic lawmakers, including Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet and Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, have been fighting to make permanent a child tax credit that would give families at least $300 a month per child.

The first advance child tax credit payments have barely gone out and already scammers are trying to trick parents out of their money and sensitive financial information.

Most families of children age 17 and younger will begin seeing extra money in their accounts this week as the IRS sends the first monthly child tax credit.

But when Esquivel learned it would involve $250 monthly payments from the now expanded child tax credit, she said, “Oh, that’s pretty good.”What had a been a yearly $1,000 tax credit is now $3,000 for every child ages 6-17 and $3,600 for every child under age 6. Esquivel’s financial strategy came as no surprise to Sandra Morales, who is Esquivel’s employer at the House of Neighborly Service, a social service agency on the West Side for 100 years. “Ultimately, as a parent, you put the needs of your child first.”Morales said it’s been her experience that the people who come to the House of Neighborly Service aren’t looking for handouts. In fact, Esquivel said it wouldn’t bother her if the one-year expanded child tax credit does not become permanent. Morales also said she believes the expanded child tax credit will help dramatically reduce the child poverty and food insecurity that can lead to intellectual disabilities and less opportunities.