This week, the first of more than 25 million child tax-credit checks will go in the mail from Washington.

Parents of children under 17, who claimed the child on their 2002 tax returns, will get checks for $400 per child.

The checks will put more than $12 billion into the pockets of families across the nation.

The increased child tax credit is part of the $330 billion tax cut bill that was passed by Congress in May.

There will be mailings each of the next three weeks on July 25, Aug. 1 and Aug. 8.

The checks will be sent according to the last two digits of the taxpayer's Social Security number.

Social Security numbers ending in 00-33, mailed July 25; 34-66, mailed Aug. 1; 67-99, mailed Aug. 8

IRS Information On Who Gets Checks And When