Springfield, MA (September 20, 2023) – Springfield WORKS, in collaboration with the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council, is proud to introduce Hannah Reuter as the newly appointed Director of the groundbreaking Cliff Effect Pilot Program. This innovative initiative, supported by the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and the Economic Pathways Coalition of Massachusetts, is designed to address a critical issue faced by low-income workers and their families – the sudden reduction in public benefits as their earnings marginally increase.
Approved by the Massachusetts State Legislature in October 2022 after seven years of dedicated advocacy, the Cliff Effect Pilot Program is poised to make a meaningful impact on the lives of low-income individuals and families across the Commonwealth. Hannah Reuter, formerly the Policy Manager for the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL North America), will lead this pioneering effort.
Expressing her enthusiasm for her new role, Reuter stated, “I am excited to get started and to build on all the fantastic work of the Economic Pathways Coalition of Massachusetts. This is a major breakthrough in helping low-income workers manage the benefits cliff as they pursue new career opportunities.”
The program’s core mission is to support up to 100 households throughout Massachusetts on their journey towards economic independence. It seeks to gradually reduce reliance on public benefits, a vital aspect of the Commonwealth’s welfare system. Crucially, the program is research-oriented and will be funded in partnership with the Department of Transitional Assistance. The financial support provided to each participating family will be determined based on family size and their current level of benefits. Participants who successfully complete the program will have the opportunity to receive a savings bonus of up to $10,000.
Anne Kandilis, Director of Springfield WORKS/Western Mass Economic Development Council, highlighted the significance of this pilot program in fostering a stronger economy. “This pilot is an important step in building a strong economy by removing obstacles for people as they earn a livable wage and grow in their careers,” she noted. “To create economic opportunity, we must remove obstacles for people as they work to earn a livable wage by making sure that we do not strip away public benefits too rapidly.”
Hannah Reuter anticipates that the Cliff Effect Pilot Program will commence enrolling participants by the end of this year. This initiative is poised to be a beacon of hope for low-income workers in Massachusetts, offering them a pathway to financial stability and independence.
