Low-income families who typically receive the federal earned income tax credit – and a tax refund of several thousand dollars – will have to wait longer than usual this year to receive those funds, officials say.

As it does every year, the Internal Revenue Service is making a push to inform people about the earned income tax credit – a program for low- and middle-income families that can result in a credit of up to $5,891. The earned income credit is refundable, meaning if it exceeds the amount of the tax owed, it can be paid out in the form of a refund. A worker must file a tax return to get the credit, though, even if no tax is owed.