Benefits Cliff

Deonne Luacaw
By Gabriella Chiarenza
Losing public assistance benefits when their income goes up incentivizes some workers to stay in low-paying jobs. It discourages others who are willing to work from joining the workforce. Explore the issue and what's being done.
Playdate Illustration
By Gabriella Chiarenza
Families with a lower income are more likely to use certain public benefits—and lose them with a small raise or higher-paying job. Here are some of the most common benefits people can lose when they go over a benefits cliff.
Cafe worker, like those at risk of going over the benefits cliff, assists a customer
By Fed Communities Staff
Landing a better-paying job is the dream of many Americans. But what happens when a higher salary makes it harder to pay the bills?