Families

Adoption Credit | Internal Revenue Service

Federal adoption tax credit and employer benefit guidance for tax year 2025 returns, including limits, phaseout rules, and Form 8839 filing basics.

Amount: Up to $17,280 per eligible child for tax year 2025, including up to $5,000 refundable Deadline: Apr 15, 2026 Location: United States

Child Tax Credit | Internal Revenue Service

Federal tax credit for qualifying children under 17, including the refundable ACTC for eligible families filing Form 1040 and Schedule 8812.

Amount: Up to $2,200 per qualifying child under age 17 (up to $1,700 refundable through ACTC for tax … Deadline: Apr 15, 2026 Location: United States

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) | Internal Revenue Service

Updated IRS EITC guidance for tax year 2025 returns filed in 2026, including current income limits and maximum credit amounts.

Amount: Up to $8,046 for tax year 2025 (three or more qualifying children) Deadline: Apr 15, 2026 Location: United States

Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) – Free Domestic Violence Shelters and Services

Free emergency shelter, crisis hotlines, counseling, safety planning, legal advocacy, and supportive services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence through a nationwide network of over 1,500 shelters and 1,700+ local programs funded by the federal government.

Type: Benefit Amount: Free support services Deadline: Rolling Location: United States

Federal Child Support Enforcement Program (Title IV-D) – Free Child Support Services

Free or low-cost services to establish paternity, establish child support orders, enforce child support payments, locate absent parents, modify support orders, and collect current and past-due child support through a federally mandated system operating in every state, territory, and tribal jurisdiction. The program collects over $34 billion annually for families.

Type: Benefit Amount: Free services to establish and enforce child support orders Deadline: Rolling Location: United States

Head Start and Early Head Start | Office of Head Start

Federal early childhood education and family services program with local enrollment, waiting-list pathways, and current eligibility-rule context.

Amount: Free comprehensive services for eligible families Deadline: Rolling enrollment; local program calendars and waiting lists apply Location: United States

National School Lunch Program: More Than Just Free Food

A plain-English guide to who qualifies for the National School Lunch Program, how to apply, and how to get the best result from your school district process.

Type: Benefit Amount: Free and reduced-price school meals, with value depending on your school and household size Deadline: No single federal deadline; apply any time during the school year through your local school or district Location: United States

SUN Bucks (Summer EBT): How to Get $120 Per Child for Groceries

A complete guide to the new SUN Bucks program, providing $120 per eligible child to help families buy groceries during the summer break.

Type: Benefit Amount: $120 per eligible child (Summer 2025) Deadline: Varies by state (typically late spring/early summer) Location: United States