Right now, billions of dollars are available to California families struggling with rising costs of living due to inflation. Californians, especially those most struggling to make ends meet, leave money on the table simply because they aren’t required to file their taxes.

The state and the federal governments have created additional tax credits and stimulus money to support low and middle-income households, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a federal tax credit for people who have earned a low-to-moderate income, which is the #1 antipoverty program in the U.S. Through EITC, eligible tax filers can receive up to $6,935 on their tax refund depending on income and family size. California also has the Cal EITC program available for Californians with incomes up to $30,000.

With inflation increasing prices of many basic needs, including food and housing, the money from these tax credits can help Californians to put food on the table, pay bills, and afford rent. But because many low-income Californians aren’t required to file taxes, they are missing out on money they are eligible to receive.

Experts from United Ways of California can speak to the various state and federal tax credits available for Californians, as well as filers in CA who have received support with filing their taxes for free through a VITA site and through the MyFreeTaxes.org program.