EITC won’t hurt your SNAP, WIC, TANF, and HUSKY
Tax season is a chance to get back money that you’re owed. If you don’t apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), though, you could be leaving up to thousands of dollars behind.
Even though the EITC is one of the most common ways working people are able to put money back into their pockets, the government unfortunately isn’t going to reach out to send you your money. You have to file to claim it. You could qualify for up to about $650 if you don’t have dependents, and $8,000 if you do. Our quiz can let you know if you likely qualify.
We’ve been talking to thousands of people across Connecticut, and one of the most common questions we get is: will the earned income tax credit hurt my benefits?
It’s important to know that claiming the EITC will not hurt your other benefits. So, for instance, claiming your EITC does not make you lose SNAP, WIC, TANF, HUSKY, or CHIP. It won’t affect other tax credits you’re qualified for, either.
The EITC requires you to have an income of at least $1. This includes money you make working for someone else, running your own business, doing freelance projects, earning tips, doing gig work, and more. You can receive a refund even if you don’t make enough money to be required to file your taxes.
Is this your first time claiming the EITC? You can maximize your return even more by backfilling your taxes for the last few years, although the deadline for claiming your 2022 EITC is April 15, 2026.
Don’t leave thousands of dollars behind that you could use to pay for groceries, rent, utilities, or other essentials. You can apply for your EITC online or in person. If you want to apply online, we’ve partnered with FreeTaxUSA, an IRS-approved service, so you can file for free online and claim what you’re owed. If you are looking to apply in person, you can look up your local VITA site, to find free, non-profit, IRS-approved help.