Public assistance and welfare
Blueprint Implementation Memo - Eliminate the “cliff effect” of policies that inadvertently punish families for increasing their earnings, by Robin Baker, Jan. 2, 2007
The governor and legislature should commit to eliminating the cliff effect from all state programs. They should review all the programs and laws involved and the interactions among them, and implement a comprehensive solution as soon as possible.
A key component should be a sliding eligibility scale that gradually phases out benefits so that a family never loses more than it gains when its income increases.
Blueprint Brief - The cliff effect: A barrier to economic well-being and opportunity, by Robin Baker, Aug. 22, 2006
The cliff effect occurs when a family loses eligibility to a work support benefit, such as child care assistance, food stamps or health care, due to increased earnings.