Utah Senator Mitt Romney proposed the Family Secure Act on Thursday, which would provide families with a $350 cash benefit each month for children under age 6 and $250 monthly benefit for children ages 6-17. Families would be able to begin receiving this benefit four months before a child’s due date.
Romney said his proposal is an effort to streamline existing “family policies to create one universal child benefit.” He said this policy would dramatically decrease child poverty in the United States. The Washington Posts reports critics of the plan said they are concerned it could create work disincentives.
The benefit would only be available to children living in the United States with a social security number. Because the benefits would be paid for streamlining existing support for families, Romney said it would not add to the federal deficit.
