Can some one educate me on Earned Income Credit?

In the late 90’s, when I was uber poor, I know the break point was (+ / -) $14,500. At $14,500 you got the maximum in EIC. Below that you got less. Above that you got less. One year I was scrambling to find more income because I was just short of it. I’d get refunds of $3000 or $4000.

However, something seems to have changed drastically. I can’t find the break point for 2014. I’m filing taxes (Turbo Tax) for a friend with 3 dependent children. This year she made about $10,000. Her refund is only $1162 from federal and $65 from state.

Another friend of mine who, between he and his wife, made about $35,000, 3 dependent kids, is getting back $8,000 on Federal, $700 on state.

I don’t want to submit the return for my friend until I am comfortable with the fact that is is correct. So does that sound right?