National Coalition Convenes in DC with Solutions for the Benefits Cliff
- Circles USA
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
National coalition convenes in DC with solutions for the benefits cliff impacting millions of families with low income.
Recommended reforms from Beyond the Cliff would enable
more families with low income to advance economically
[Washington, DC] (October 08, 2025) – Circles USA joined Beyond the Cliff (BTC), a coalition of more than 50 organizations from across the nation, in Washington, DC early in October to release recommended reforms to address the benefits cliff: a major barrier to upward economic mobility for millions of families nationwide.
BTC’s Policy Agenda, developed in collaboration with coalition members, advocates, policy experts, and individuals directly impacted by the benefits cliff, outlines a set of six policy recommendations to support economic mobility for working families as they transition off public benefits.
Kamatara Johnson, Circles USA’s Executive Director, shared: “Working with this coalition that includes organizations at the local, state, and federal level has been so affirming of the work we already do at Circles. It’s inspiring to expand our response to the Cliff. Launching a national Big View campaign was a big goal for Circles USA, and this coalition supported our efforts to go BIG on the Cliff.”
"Launching a national Big View campaign was a big goal for Circles USA, and this coalition supported our efforts to go BIG on the Cliff." — Kamatara Johnson Circles USA Executive Director
What is the benefits cliff?
The benefits cliff (which Circles calls the Cliff Effect) occurs when increased income for workers receiving government assistance (like SNAP, Medicaid, and childcare subsidies) causes greater financial losses to their overall household budget. This punishes individuals for working hard to get ahead and leaves them worse off financially. More than 127 million Americans receive at least one form of government assistance, and nearly one in four workers receiving are estimated to have reduced hours, turned down a promotion or quit a job to avoid the benefits cliff. This represents millions of workers unable to advance in their careers, build stability for their families, and contribute fully to our economy as taxpayers.
To address this issue and help families move forward economically, Circles is committed to supporting Beyond the Cliff. Our coalition recommends the following reforms for policymakers:
Modify how government assistance is reduced as earnings increase.
Increase asset limits to enable families getting assistance to save for emergencies and for long-term financial goals such as the purchase of a car or home.
Align the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to support the transition off public benefits.
Remove government silos that hinder coordination and innovation designed to promote economic mobility and solve for benefits cliffs.
Connect those getting public assistance to true career opportunities that offer self-sufficiency wages.
Ensure government assistance program service delivery is client-centered and focused on long-term economic success.
"There is growing bipartisan support for change that aligns government assistance with the realities of achieving financial stability and opportunity." — Keith Barnes Senior Director of Beyond the Cliff at the Martha O’Bryan Center
“The Benefits cliff is a major barrier to economic mobility for families accessing public benefits like SNAP, Medicaid, housing assistance, and childcare subsidies,” said Keith Barnes, Senior Director of Beyond the Cliff at the Martha O’Bryan Center. “When increased earnings result in a sudden loss in family stability, it can disincentivize hard work and discourage advancement. That’s why there is growing bipartisan support for change that aligns government assistance with the realities of achieving financial stability and opportunity.”
Michelle Crawford, Executive Director of Circles Salt Lake and Circles Regional Coach, added: “For the families we walk alongside, the benefits cliff isn’t just a policy issue - it’s something they face every time they make progress toward stability. Parents are forced into impossible choices between a small raise and keeping Medicaid coverage, food on the table, or childcare they can afford. Through Beyond the Cliff, we’re lifting those voices and working together toward systems and policy change that make it possible for hard work to truly pay off.”
The coalition’s policy recommendations come at a critical moment as recent changes to federal law have impacted investments in means-tested public assistance programs, and the country faces significant workforce challenges.
In visiting DC, Beyond the Cliff is calling on federal policymakers to embrace policies that strengthen economic opportunity and improve well-being for families, make improvements to already existing public assistance programs, and create opportunities for family-sustaining careers.
About Beyond the Cliff
Beyond the Cliff is a network of practitioners focused on eliminating benefits cliffs through policy and innovative solutions that ensure all individuals and their families have the resources and opportunity to work and advance economically. The coalition of more than 50 organizations includes state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and collaboratives from across the country. Beyond the Cliff is convened by the nonprofit Martha O’Bryan Center. Learn more about Beyond the Cliff at www.beyondthecliffcoalition.org
Read all about benefits cliffs, then share this information in your community with our free, downloadable Cliff Effect one-pager!
For more information on Circles USA—including how to start a chapter where you live—please visit circlesusa.org.
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