Solving Benefits Cliffs Across States

Across Georgia, many parents want to provide better futures for their families, but they face numerous, overlapping barriers: stress at home, limited access to steady employment, and a lack of social support.

What happens in homes and communities is most important for the outcomes of a person’s life. When parents lack the tools and support to create stable, thriving homes, children face greater challenges in school and in life—allowing poverty to persist across generations.

Many low-income workers experience benefits cliffs, sometimes called “welfare cliffs.” In these disheartening situations, a small pay increase triggers the loss of essential supports like childcare or housing assistance before families are fully on their feet.

When working more leads to financial instability, people may delay accepting promotions, changing jobs, or increasing hours. This slows economic mobility and can keep households cycling on and off public assistance.