Upward Mobility Act

I commend Senator Husted for introducing his Upward Mobility Act. Benefits cliffs hold people back from reaching their full potential. Giving states the flexibility to address these 'cliffs' in various programs will encourage more people to take a new job, work more hours, or even accept a promotion. Senator Husted's commonsense solution will help more Ohioans become self-sufficient, support their families and contribute to a stronger workforce. He has my full support.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services applauds Senator Husted for introducing the Upward Mobility Act which would allow states to take innovative approaches to align eligibility requirements across public assistance programs. Far too often, programs intended to provide temporary assistance become a barrier to self-sufficiency by creating benefit cliff scenarios that penalize upward mobility and career advancement. Allowing states to align programs is a win for recipients and employers.

We, at United Way of Greater Cleveland, are in daily conversation with hardworking families that need our help to triage and curate the overwhelming web of programs just to stay afloat. We applaud Senator Husted for advancing the Upward Mobility Act, which recognizes that real progress requires fixing antiquated, overly complex systems, not the people working hard within them. By aligning benefits and streamlining access, this legislation offers a more dignified, efficient, and empowering path forward, reducing burdens for families and the state while helping more people build lasting financial stability.

Eliminating the benefits cliffs is not just a moral imperative-it's an economic one. When workers hesitate to accept raises or promotions because they fear losing essential benefits, productivity suffers, and businesses could lose talent. The Upward Mobility Act offers a smart, flexible solution that empowers states to innovate, helps families achieve financial independence, and strengthens our workforce. The Greater Akron Chamber and Canton Regional Chamber support this legislation because it will help foster upward mobility and economic growth.

The benefits cliff is a real challenge, and without thoughtful solutions, it can limit job retention and mobility for some of our most vulnerable residents. We appreciate that U.S. Sen. Jon Husted is taking steps to address this at a time when employers across our region face significant challenges in attracting and keeping talent. In today's hiring climate, every potential worker matters.

The Upward Mobility Act takes important steps toward helping low-income Americans move up the economic ladder and achieve independence by reducing the penalties that the current welfare system imposes on work and marriage. In addition, by combining state experimentation with rigorous third-party evaluation, the Upward Mobility Act provides a template for determining what works. This is the sort of compassionate welfare reform that should draw bipartisan support.

Senator Husted's Upward Mobility Act tackles one of the most stubborn barriers holding too many families back. The benefits cliff forces people to choose between a raise at work and the support they need to make ends meet. The Ohio Business Roundtable was proud to partner with then-Lt. Governor Husted on Ohio's pilot program, and we applaud Senator Husted for now bringing this issue to the national stage. The Upward Mobility Act is a commonsense step toward strengthening our workforce, supporting employers and, most importantly, helping families build long-term financial independence.

For years, businesses across Ohio have at times struggled to hire or promote talent due to the challenges posed by benefits cliffs. Thankfully, Senator Husted saw a way to tackle this challenge at the state level during his time as Lieutenant Governor. We are grateful for his leadership as Senator in demonstrating the potential to address this issue through the introduction of the Upward Mobility Act. This proposal will help thousands of Americans climbing the economic ladder to support themselves and their families, and we look forward to working with him to enact this important legislation.

Benefit cliffs trap Ohio workers, stalling careers and gutting manufacturing. Manufacturers see employees turn down extra hours or permanent positions to avoid losing critical benefits. With the Upward Mobility Act, Ohio workers can finally earn more without losing the support they need. It's a straightforward win for employees, their families and our state's manufacturing strength.

The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce applauds Senator Husted for his efforts to address the benefit cliffs through The Upward Mobility Act Pilot Program. When an individual earns a small increase in income, they can risk a significant or complete loss of federal benefits, leaving families financially worse off than they were before a wage increase. This can also negatively impact employers by making it harder to retain or attract employees. We have been leading and experienced success in Lucas County with the benefits bridge pilot. The Upward Mobility Act can further enhance our region's workforce and economic vitality by making this concept statewide assisting even more individuals and businesses.

I am proud to champion the Upward Mobility Act and the critical support it will provide to the families, helping them remain stable as they leave public assistance programs and preventing them from falling off the benefits cliff. The Benefit Bridge program, operated at our OhioMeansJobs Center has truly been a lifeline for working families. This flexible funded program helps prevent the benefit cliff by ensuring families don't lose critical support the moment they advance in their employment. This program allows parents to pursue better jobs, higher wages, and long-term stability without the fear of losing immediate access to childcare, housing, healthcare, or other essential services. It has empowered working parents to succeed and opened real pathways to long-term economic independence.

I believe that this could be a really important way to help people get off of government support. Right now, employers can only hire employees and pay them up to what the government gives them in benefits plus their wages. For example, we could start an employee at $15.00 an hour while they learn with the hopes that employee could grow into a higher-paying position. But if the government is paying them the equivalent of $22.00 per hour with benefits added after wages, that employee will not take promotions in their job and will remain at a lower rate of pay, instead of having a job to eventually getting off of government support. This bill is a win for all parties. And if you figure out how many people this could help, I think you would find it is a lot of money.

Thank you for sharing this thoughtful proposal. I am enthusiastic about the potential it holds to reshape how we support families and empower individuals to achieve lasting financial independence. The challenges posed by the current benefits cliff are well documented, and they continue to hinder the very upward mobility our safety-net programs are intended to promote. This proposal acknowledges that reality head-on and offers an innovative path toward a more flexible system. The creation of a multi-program pilot could help eliminate rigid burdens. Pilot states will be able to focus on what truly matters: helping families advance economically, removing disincentives to work and tailoring supports to the unique needs of their communities. The emphasis on individualized case management and collaboration with local partners is a refreshing shift toward human-centered design and policy. I am encouraged by the bill's commitment to identifying measurable results. Participating states will have the opportunity to demonstrate meaningful progress, whether through increased earnings, stronger employment outcomes or the removal of unexpected barriers. Overall, this bill signals an intent to promote innovation and is a bold step toward a safety net that truly supports self-sufficiency. It invites states to modernize, reduces barriers and promotes an encouraging path to long-term success. Thank you, again, for sharing new opportunities that promote the best interest of the families, individuals and children that we serve here in Ohio.

For almost thirty years, our nation has invested in welfare reform and work-participation programs designed to move people who receive public assistance into the workforce. These efforts have succeeded in helping individuals transition into employment-but too often, those jobs are low-wage, unstable and insufficient to lift households beyond the working poor status. We have proven that people are willing to work; the Upward Mobility Act shows we are willing to help them thrive.

Fairfield County Job and Family Services strongly endorse efforts that advance the goals of the Upward Mobility Act. We stand ready to support pilot programs and collaborative initiatives that empower families, strengthen the workforce, and promote genuine economic mobility.

Family Resource Centers are a proven, community-based way to help Ohioans move from crisis to stability and into long-term economic mobility. By aligning public, private and philanthropic partners, centers like the Wickliffe Family Resource Center help working families keep the supports they rely on while they work more, earn more and build a better future. We strongly support the Upward Mobility Act and other common-sense policies that remove benefit cliffs and make it easier for families to advance without falling behind.

The Wayne Economic Development Council strongly supports Senator Husted's Upward Mobility Act, which represents a bold and necessary step toward helping families achieve long-term economic stability. By allowing states to streamline federal anti-poverty programs and eliminate benefit cliffs, this legislation empowers individuals to pursue higher earnings without fear of losing essential support.

The Upward Mobility Act reflects a transformative shift in federal antipoverty policy-creating a safety net that advances the inherent dignity, potential and purpose of every person. For decades, outdated programs have created barriers that trap individuals and families in cycles of dependency. This legislation offers a path forward that prioritizes work, opportunity, and upward mobility as the true measures of a successful safety net.

The current patchwork of public benefits creates unintended barriers to economic opportunity in the form of benefits cliffs. Working families need a better approach that aligns supports around them so that no parent is forced to choose between pursuing a better career and ensuring they can feed their children. By removing arbitrary silos and empowering states to test innovative solutions, the Upward Mobility Act is a step toward building better evidence on what works to empower families to achieve financial stability and opportunity.

From my perspective, both as an employer struggling to retain entry level manufacturing workers, as well as a member of my local Business Advisory Council and Regional WIOA Board as an employer representative, providing rural workers with the flexibility to allow a smooth transition from reliance on support programs to well-paying career options would eliminate a huge retention hurdle. Currently, many entry level or reentering workers report to our HR department that pay increases over time will cause them to lose a myriad of benefits because of the benefits cliff. The loss of benefits such as SNAP/TANF, Housing Vouchers/ Rural Rental Assistance and Child Care Funding create a situation where employees must choose between maintaining benefits and continued work. In a time where manufacturers (especially those in rural areas with housing, daycare and transportation challenges) cannot attract and retain enough personnel to keep up with demand, limiting or eliminating the benefits cliff is a giant step forward in getting people who want to have fulfilling jobs able to do so without totally disrupting their family finances. When I listen to JFS representatives in our county discuss the hurdles regarding benefit program compliance and helping people achieve and retain employment status, it is clear to me the proposed federal level changes resulting from this proposed legislation would be a welcome red tape cutting tool. We at Mid West Fabricating Company fully support efforts at all levels of government to address the benefits cliff and allow continued employment for those seeking careers in entry level manufacturing jobs or any other in demand trades.

Waivers from one-size-fits-all federal bureaucratic requirements enabled a few pioneering states to lead the way toward a successful national welfare reform effort in the 1990s. Similarly, today, Senator Husted's Upward Mobility Act will encourage a handful of states to conduct rigorous experiments with innovative programs and partnerships to better promote opportunity for the next generation of American citizens.

The Ohio Workforce Coalition commends Senator Husted's work to address benefit cliffs through the Upward Mobility Act. The Coalition understands the complicated relationship between public benefits and employment, and we look forward to continuing to work with Senator Husted's office to ensure that the workforce development ecosystem features prominently and proactively in all economic mobility related efforts.

The Upward Mobility Act hits directly at one of the biggest barriers we see every day at Impacting Tomorrow. Families are trying to do the right things, take on more hours, and move forward, but the benefits cliff punishes progress. It creates fear, instability, and a real hesitation to take steps that should lead to long-term independence. The pilot structure you outlined makes sense. Giving states the flexibility to braid funding, remove duplicative rules, and design systems that support upward mobility instead of trapping families is a meaningful step. The alignment with case management, community partners, and outcome-based evaluation is exactly what we need more of. From our side, the Act connects well with what we're seeing on the ground. We're serving roughly 810 people a day now across Market, CarryHer, Boutique, Pediatric OT, and Medical/Dental services. A significant number of families talk about the cliff as a real threat to their stability. Any policy that helps remove that fear while supporting higher earnings and self-sufficiency will have an immediate impact.

It is encouraging to hear that Senator Husted will be introducing legislation to address the benefits cliff. This is a challenge we see firsthand through our workforce, and it directly impacts upward mobility, retention, and long-term stability for working individuals and families. I appreciate the thoughtful approach your team is taking to engage employers and stakeholders early in the process.

The Upward Mobility Act hits directly at one of the biggest barriers we see every day at Impacting Tomorrow. Families are trying to do the right things, take on more hours, and move forward, but the benefits cliff punishes progress. It creates fear, instability, and a real hesitation to take steps that should lead to long-term independence. The pilot structure you outlined makes sense. Giving states the flexibility to braid funding, remove duplicative rules, and design systems that support upward mobility instead of trapping families is a meaningful step. The alignment with case management, community partners, and outcome-based evaluation is exactly what we need more of. From our side, the Act connects well with what we're seeing on the ground. We're serving roughly 810 people a day now across Market, CarryHer, Boutique, Pediatric OT, and Medical/Dental services. A significant number of families talk about the cliff as a real threat to their stability. Any policy that helps remove that fear while supporting higher earnings and self-sufficiency will have an immediate impact.

From an employer's perspective, this legislation would have a meaningful impact. The benefits cliff frequently force employees to turn down overtime, promotions, or wage increases, not because of a lack of motivation, but because the system penalizes progress. By enabling states to smooth benefit transitions and reinvest savings into smarter case management, health coverage alignment, and workforce supports, the Upward Mobility Act creates an environment where individuals can advance without risking food security or health care access.

Over the past five years, we have repeatedly seen graduates decline or walk away from skilled trade job offers-not due to lack of interest or ability, but because entry-level wages are often outweighed by the short-term financial support provided through government benefits. This dynamic creates a meaningful gap between the long-term value of starting a skilled trade career and the immediate financial realities individuals face. While these roles offer strong income growth within one to two years, many candidates simply cannot afford the initial transition period, making the upfront investment untenable despite the clear long-term upside.

On behalf of the BCW/Workforce Development Board (BCW/Workforce), I am writing to express our strong support for the Upward Mobility Act. This legislation represents a thoughtful, innovative approach to addressing one of the most persistent challenges facing low-income individuals and working families-the benefits cliff that discourages career advancement and long-term self-sufficiency.

On behalf of the Greater Springfield Partnership (GSP), we write to express our strong support for your Upward Mobility Act and to commend your leadership in addressing one of the most significant and persistent barriers to economic advancement: the benefits cliff. By allowing states to voluntarily combine funding from multiple federal anti-poverty programs into a single, flexible pilot structure, the Act creates an opportunity to eliminate benefits cliffs while maintaining accountability and fiscal discipline. The emphasis on rewarding work, aligning incentives, and supporting upward mobility closely mirrors the recommendations that emerged from our local research and employer engagement. From an economic development perspective, addressing benefits cliffs is essential to strengthening workforce participation, increasing labor force attachment, and ensuring that economic growth translates into improved quality of life for working families. The Upward Mobility Act offers a practical, bipartisan, and data-driven framework to advance these goals.

We, at United Way of Greater Cleveland, are in daily conversation with hardworking families that need our help to triage and curate the overwhelming web of programs just to stay afloat. We applaud Senator Husted for advancing the Upward Mobility Act, which recognizes that real progress requires fixing antiquated, overly complex systems, not the people working hard within them. By aligning benefits and streamlining access, this legislation offers a more dignified, efficient, and empowering path forward, reducing burdens for families and the state while helping more people build lasting financial stability.

The Community Bankers Association of Ohio applauds Senator Husted for his leadership on the Upward Mobility Act. Community banks serve families and small businesses in every corner of Ohio, and we know that financial stability begins with opportunity. By addressing the benefits cliff and encouraging upward mobility, this legislation supports the same values community banks stand for-empowering individuals, strengthening families, and helping more Ohioans achieve long-term financial independence.

Eliminating the benefits cliffs is not just a moral imperative-it's an economic one. When workers hesitate to accept raises or promotions because they fear losing essential benefits, productivity suffers, and businesses could lose talent. The Upward Mobility Act offers a smart, flexible solution that empowers states to innovate, helps families achieve financial independence, and strengthens our workforce. The Greater Akron Chamber and Canton Regional Chamber support this legislation because it will help foster upward mobility and economic growth.

The benefits cliff is a real challenge, and without thoughtful solutions, it can limit job retention and mobility for some of our most vulnerable residents. We appreciate that U.S. Sen. Jon Husted is taking steps to address this at a time when employers across our region face significant challenges in attracting and keeping talent. In today's hiring climate, every potential worker matters.

We firmly believe that the Upward Mobility Act is necessary to building a first-class American Workforce. It will give states the ability to create viable pathways for both work and education; it will create pathways for public/private projects that accelerate innovation; and it will give millions of Americans viable pathways to achieve their own American Dream.

Family Resource Centers are a proven, community-based way to help Ohioans move from crisis to stability and into long-term economic mobility. By aligning public, private and philanthropic partners, centers like the Wickliffe Family Resource Center help working families keep the supports they rely on while they work more, earn more and build a better future. We strongly support the Upward Mobility Act and other common-sense policies that remove benefit cliffs and make it easier for families to advance without falling behind.

The Wayne Economic Development Council strongly supports Senator Husted's Upward Mobility Act, which represents a bold and necessary step toward helping families achieve long-term economic stability. By allowing states to streamline federal anti-poverty programs and eliminate benefit cliffs, this legislation empowers individuals to pursue higher earnings without fear of losing essential support.

By consolidating funding streams and granting states flexibility to design benefit structures that limit marginal effective tax rates, the Act directly addresses one of the most significant challenges facing workers with low incomes: the benefit cliff. Too often, individuals are forced to choose between advancing in the workforce and maintaining essential supports. This legislation creates a pathway for states to remove those disincentives and align public assistance with employment and earnings growth.

In our daily work, we see firsthand how benefits cliffs discourage raises, promotions, and additional hours-ultimately limiting both economic mobility for families and workforce stability for employers. Addressing this issue is essential to ensuring that work truly pays, and that Ohioans can pursue advancement without fear of sudden financial setbacks. The Upward Mobility Act offers a thoughtful, practical solution. By giving states the flexibility to align and modernize anti-poverty programs, reduce bureaucracy, and design benefit structures that reward work and advancement, this legislation empowers people to pursue higher earnings without fear of losing critical support overnight.

In working with over 25,000 people each year in West Central & Southern Ohio, we know first-hand the challenges faced by people in poverty as they work toward a better future for themselves and their families. The Upward Mobility Act takes a strong positive step in promoting upward mobility for families in poverty, for increasing the earnings of low-income families, for reducing government dependence, and for eliminating the benefits cliff. We strongly support this important legislation.

A small pay increase combined with losing a public benefit means their out-of-pocket expenses increase and they fall further behind than if they did not earn a pay raise. This "benefits cliff" causes workers to turn down raises and promotions to avoid the cliff, keeping them trapped at their current low wage and supported by public assistance. Businesses then struggle to fill open positions and retain workers, and taxpayers lose by funding a public benefits system that traps Ohioans in poverty, rather than supporting growth towards economic stability. The Workforce Council of Southwest Ohio, which serves residents in Hamilton County, appreciates Senator Husted's leadership in addressing the benefits cliff through the Upward Mobility Act.

Omega Community Development Corporation supports efforts to eliminate the benefits cliff and strengthen pathways to economic stability for families. In Northwest Dayton, we see how fragmented systems and sudden benefit losses can undermine residents working to move forward, toward self-sufficiency. Poverty is not a failure of effort; it is often a failure of systems. We believe meaningful progress requires collaboration across federal, state, and place-based partners. Omega CDC welcomes the opportunity to be part of these discussions to help ensure economic advancement supports long-term family stability and upward mobility.