Lupe Mendoza
I live in Walla Walla, Washington, the town so nice they named it twice. I am a Family Support Specialist serving families in Southeast Washington and a single parent of five boys ages 13, 15, 17, 23, and 26 years.
1. What is something you’re really proud of as a parent?
One of my greatest accomplishments as a parent is creating a stable and loving home for my children. I have raised my children to be resilient and compassionate humans. I have worked hard to ensure they feel supported, valued and cared for. Seeing them grow into compassionate individuals who look out for others and contribute to their communities makes me incredibly proud.
2. What do you want lawmakers to know about what it’s like raising children and making ends meet in today’s economy?
Like many families, I know first hand how difficult it can be to raise children in today’s economy. The cost of housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, clothing and school expenses continues to rise, while many families are working harder than ever just to stay afloat. Parents should not have to choose between paying rent, putting food on the table, or meeting their children’s basic needs. The Child Tax Credit has been an important source of support for my family because it helps cover essential expenses and provides stability during challenging times.
3. Why is the Child Tax Credit (CTC) important to you?
As a single income parent, I know firsthand how much the Child Tax Credit can mean to working families. During the 2021 Child Tax Credit expansion, I received a 30-day notice to move out of my home. Overnight, I found myself trying to figure out where my children and I were going to live while facing the overwhelming costs of moving. I had to come up with the first month’s rent, last month’s rent, and a security deposit, all while worrying about the rising cost of moving our belongings, transferring utilities to a new address, updating important records, and making sure I could still provide food and other basic necessities for my children. Throughout it all, I worked hard to make sure the transition went as smoothly as possible so my children wouldn’t notice the stress and uncertainty I was carrying. Like so many parents, I did everything I could to protect them while holding our family together.
The expanded Child Tax Credit gave my family the financial breathing room we desperately needed. It helped us pay for moving expenses, secure stable housing, keep the lights on, put food on the table, and provide the basic necessities my children needed during one of the most difficult seasons of our lives. Because of the Child Tax Credit, I was able to focus on creating a stable transition for my children instead of worrying about how I would pay every bill. It wasn’t extra money—it was a lifeline that allowed me to move my family forward with dignity and gave my children the stability they deserved. When it stopped, it felt like losing an important source of stability, because the cost of raising children did not go down. That experience is why I continue to advocate for a stronger Child Tax Credit that reaches every child and every family who needs it.
4. Why is it important to you that lawmakers expand the Child Tax Credit?
The CTC helps families like mine afford necessities and everyday expenses that are required to raise healthy thriving children. I have also seen how the child tax credit benefits families throughout my community. Parents have used the credit to pay rent, buy groceries and their basic necessities. Expanding the child tax credit is important because it is one of the most effective ways to reduce child poverty and support working families. Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in a stable home with access to the resources they need to learn, grow, and thrive.
5. If you had $500 more for each of your children every month, how would you use it?
If my family received an additional $500 per month for each of my children, I would use it to cover essential expenses, pay bills and make ends meet. As a single parent, I work hard to stretch every dollar and that is not always easy. Additional support would allow me to build emergency savings, invest more in my children’s futures, and provide greater stability for my family. Most importantly, it would give me peace of mind and allow me to focus less on financial survival and more on helping my children thrive.
6. In addition to increasing the benefit level, are there other changes to the CTC that you think are important to ensure children and families can thrive?
In addition to increasing the benefit level, I believe there are several changes to the Child Tax Credit that would better support children and families. The credit should be fully refundable so that every eligible child receives the same level of support, regardless of their family’s income. Providing the credit through monthly payments, rather than one annual payment, would help families manage ongoing expenses such as housing, food, shelter, child care, transportation, and other basic needs throughout the year.
The Child Tax Credit should also be easier for families to access by simplifying the filing process, expanding outreach through trusted community organizations, and providing information in multiple languages. In addition, the credit should be adjusted annually for inflation so it keeps pace with the rising cost of raising children. Finally, these improvements should be made permanent so families have the stability and certainty they need to plan for the future. Together these changes would help reduce financial stress, improve children’s well-being and give families the resources they need not just to get by, but to truly thrive.