Thriving Families Thriving Communities The Cliff Effect Families

Thriving Families, Thriving Communities “The Cliff Effect” “Families shouldn’t need to choose between earning extra income and losing their benefits. Benefits should incentivize work, not the other way around” – Joe Ostrander, Community Action Association of Pennsylvania

http: //www. pahousegop. info

http: //www. pahousegop. info

Community Focus Population, Median Income, and Poverty Level Monroeville Population 28, 285 Pitcairn 3, 294 Estimated median household income 58, 173 35, 724 Residents w/ income < poverty 7. 7% 12. 2% http: //factfinder. census. gov/ “We can’t continue trying to ‘fix’ things like poverty without understanding it from the eyes of the people who are experiencing it. ” –Kristina Marshall, Network Director, Family Promise of Harrisburg Capital Region

Cliff Effect v Pay increase of less than $50 a month can lead to the loss of several hundred dollars’ worth of work support programs. v When the gain in income doesn’t cover needs. . . job, raise, or promotion turned down v Creates motivation barrier • fear of losing benefits • Inability to earn enough income to cover basic need expenses

We are a family of three living in Adams County, PA

Cliff Effect Analysis Tool:

Staying off the Cliff. . . 2015 Federal Poverty Guidelines Family size Annual income 100% Monthly income Annual income 200% Monthly income 1 2 3 4 5 $11, 770 $15, 930 $20, 090 $24, 250 $28, 410 $980. 83 $1327. 50 $1674. 17 $2020. 83 $2367. 50 $23, 540. 00 $31, 860. 00 $40, 180. 00 $48. 500. 00 $56, 820. 00 $1, 961. 67 $2, 655. 00 $3, 348. 33 $4, 041. 67 $4, 735. 00 https: //www. federalregister. gov

Benefits that work. . . ü Are public assistance programs effective and efficient use of tax money? ü Are programs designed to really move people out of poverty? ü Is it possible to move into self-sufficiency if an individual or family worries about food, shelter, childcare? “Public assistance programs are intended to lead one to a life of financial independence from one’s government, not toward a life of financial dependence upon that government. Unless our programs are carefully structured, the latter result may be more dominant than the former. ” – Beyond Poverty http: //www. pahousegop. info

Thank You! Mon Valley Circles 200 Church St Turtle Creek, PA 15145 412 -465 -0840 To learn more about the Circles Initiative please visit: www. circlespgh. org "Poverty is the worst form of violence. " -Mahatma Gandhi