In October 2014, Natalie Leek-Nelson, Providence House President and CEO, presented on the Benefit Cliff and how it affects our clients. According to the 2013 American Community Survey, in Cleveland, 31% of households are below the Federal Poverty Line and 42% of women 18-34 years old are living in poverty. Additionally, 48% of female headed households are below the Federal Poverty Line compared to 18% of women with no children. For Tunisia (mom of two children) and Sondra (mom of four children), as they were able to earn more, they fell victim of the Benefit Cliff and saw many of the vouchers and supports that were helping their families disappear. Rather than becoming more stable, they found themselves in crisis and sought help from Providence House. Even at Cleveland’s median income of $34,282, families already stop qualifying for important benefits. Once they reach over 200% of the Federal Poverty Line, the safety net has vanished and many families find themselves in crisis. For 30% of poor children, their caregiver has a job, but the conditions of low-wage work make it difficult to be self-sufficient and can interfere with parenting. Parent and child well-being are closely linked and both generations need simultaneous supports. For parents, this translates to access to education, better jobs, pay, and benefits including extended assistance to bridge benefits gaps while moving out of poverty. For children, this requires early intervention, quality child care and education. At Providence House, we use a two-generation approach to provide support to stabilize the family and further healthy child development.
