Even though work is the key to long-term self-sufficiency, benefit cliffs in welfare programs leave families trapped in dependency.
Social Mobility
A core promise of America is the ability of people to rise up from humble beginnings. The challenges faced by lower- and middle-income Americans today are multidisciplinary in nature, and require our renewed focus. Job and wage growth are essential; in particular, Americans need access to more blue-collar work and other jobs that don’t require a college degree. Our employment and welfare policies should encourage work, family formation, and income security. Paid family leave can help strengthen families at their times of need.
All Social Mobility
Even though work is the key to long-term self-sufficiency, benefit cliffs in welfare programs leave families trapped in dependency.
Recommendations for the next administration and the 119th Congress
Modernizing America's identity infrastructure will ensure that hundreds of billions in federal benefits reach their intended recipients.
Even though work is the key to long-term self-sufficiency, the structure of many welfare programs discourages work in the immediate term and leaves families who respond to those incentives trapped in dependency.
Most policymakers do not want social welfare programs to reduce work. Unfortunately, that is precisely what happens when recipients face so-called “benefit cliffs.”
Identifying the several causes of homelessness and applying solutions that fit each one
A more holistic view beyond material circumstances can help poor families achieve self-sufficiency.