2025 EITC/ACTC Refund Schedule: February 19-20 Batches with IRS Updates on February 17

Just got the details from Jackson Hewitt about PATH Act refunds for 2025. According to their website, if you claimed either the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), the IRS has to hold the refund until after February 14 due to the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act - this is to prevent tax fraud. I was looking at their webpage titled "PATH Act Refund Delays: When to Expect" and it breaks down all the key takeaways: "The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act requires the IRS to hold refunds for taxpayers who claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) until after February 14, in order to prevent tax fraud. The IRS will update its website and app on February 17, 2025, with refund updates for early filers who claimed the EITC or ACTC. PATH funding will be done in two batches, on February 19 and February 20, 2025. Most of the time, the IRS will fund tax refunds within 21 days, but does not guarantee a certain date. The IRS will lift the PATH Act holding requirement on February 17, 2025, and fund most refunds of taxpayers claiming either the EITC or ACTC by February 28, 2025." They're making it clear that the PATH funding will be released in those 2 specific batches - February 19 and February 20, 2025. The IRS website and app will update with refund info for early filers who claimed EITC or ACTC on February 17, 2025. Jackson Hewitt also mentions: "You don't have to wait for the IRS to get money. File with Jackson Hewitt and apply for a No Fee Tax Refund Advance loan, and you could get money the same day if approved on a prepaid card." They even have a promotion saying "NEW CLIENTS save money on expert tax prep. Starting at $49! Terms apply." If you claim the EITC or ACTC on an early filed return, the IRS puts a hold on your refund for a special review to make sure you report these credits correctly. I know these credits are important for families, but this holding period is frustrating and ridiculous. The webpage acknowledges how important tax refunds are for families. Anyone else stuck waiting on PATH refunds? I understand they need to prevent fraud, but making families wait until late February when many people file in January seems excessive.