Fixing the Broken Incentives in the U.S. Welfare System

Instead of offering a hand up, the U.S. welfare system often traps low-income Americans in cycles of dependency through broken incentives and steep benefit cliffs, which penalize those who try to work their way out of the system. This panel will explore innovative ways to reduce benefit cliffs and create pathways to financial independence, empowering more Americans to transition off assistance and build sustainable, self-sufficient futures.

Session participants include:

Jonathan Blanks Managing Editor & Senior Fellow, Criminal Justice, FREOPP (moderator)

Buzz Brockway, VP of Public Policy, Georgia Center for Opportunity

Austin Harris, State Representative, State of Iowa

Michael Tanner, Senior Fellow, Social Mobility, FREOPP