Hillary Clinton proposes doubling the child tax credit, offering new cash benefit

WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Hillary Clinton proposed doubling the Child Tax Credit for parents with children up to age 4, and offering a new cash benefit to families with low or no income.

The proposal would grant parents with young children a $2,000 benefit per child, rather than the present $1,000. It also eliminates the requirement that a parent have at least $3,000 of income to qualify.

Parents who do not earn enough to qualify to pay income tax would receive the money in cash.

The plan is in contrast to one proposed by Clinton's opponent, Donald Trump, who said he would increase the tax deduction parents can take, which benefits wealthier families more.

Clinton's aides told The Wall Street Journal the proposal would cost between $150 billion and $200 billion over 10 years, and could be paid for with the additional taxes she's already proposed on the wealthiest Americans.

Clinton's campaign described the proposal as a "down payment on her overall vision for tax relief for middle-class families." Aides said she eventually wants to expand the tax credit for children up to age 17, as well.