Does claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit affect your benefits?
Don’t leave money behind this tax season
Tax season is the chance to maximize your return and get back money that you’re owed. If you don’t apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), though, you could be leaving 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, one in five people in Connecticut who are qualified haven’t claimed it.
The government unfortunately isn’t going to reach out to send you your money. You have to file your taxes to claim it. Our partners at SimplifyCT can help you claim any money you’re owed for free, and our quiz can tell you if you might 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, CHIP, or Medicaid. 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. You qualify even if you don’t have children, although you’re likely owed more money if you have them.
Is this your first time claiming the EITC? You can maximize your return even more by backfilling your taxes for the last few years. You won’t be penalized for backfilling for 2021, 2022, and 2024, although the deadline for claiming your 2021 EITC is April 15, 2025. Our partners at SimplifyCT can help you file for money you’re owed for previous years.
Don’t leave thousands of dollars behind that you could use to pay for groceries, rent, or child care. Take the quiz to see if you qualify, and claim your money today.
