Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was in Schenectady Friday, urging New York families to sign up for the Child Tax Credit.

Even before the pandemic, more than 6,000 children in Schenectady County lived in poverty. The credit is predicted to cut that number by 45%.

The families of more than 3.5 million children throughout the state started receiving monthly payments this past week. For children six to 17 years old, families received up to $250, while families with children under the age of six received $300.

Gillibrand says the relief comes at a time when many families are still struggling because of the pandemic.

"This is what government should be doing," Gillibrand said. "Government should be helping people, every day. It should help the most vulnerable, the most in need and the most at risk. And after this year and a half, we, I think, all know that we have to protect our children and our next generation, regardless of the circumstances they are living through, because it has been a very hard year and a half."

Families who filed tax returns within the last two years or signed up to receive COVID-19 stimulus checks will automatically receive the Child Tax Credit.

Families who haven't filed income taxes in previous years or welcomed a new child this year can visit childtaxcredit.gov to sign up.