Contact:
benefitscliffcoalition.WI@gmail.com
Expansion of Child Care Benefit Advances
Madison, Wis. – Yesterday, the Wisconsin State Senate supported working families by confirming its support for the expansion of child care benefits by passing the state budget bill. This expansion will help address the benefits cliff in the state of Wisconsin, currently a disincentive to workforce development and career advancement. The Senate’s support signals a major milestone in the Benefits Cliff Coalition’s work to address and correct the impact the benefits cliff has on the citizens of Wisconsin.
“Addressing the benefits cliff through the expansion of child care benefits is a great example of collaboration across sectors, across geographies and across parties in Madison to make a positive impact for families in Wisconsin,” said Ian Abston, founder of the Hoan group which was instrumental in forming the Benefits Cliff Coalition. “We applaud the efforts of all involved in advancing this important change for Wisconsin.”
Earlier this year, the Benefits Cliff Coalition, which represents thousands of working families across Wisconsin, was formed to address workforce issues in our state by reducing employment and promotion disincentives currently baked into the state’s benefits system. Under the current system, public benefits can be fully revoked when workers reach a certain pay threshold. With the expansion of the child care credit, these benefits will be more gradually stepped back to allow workers to continue to accept promotions and higher-paying jobs without the risk of fully losing necessary benefits.
The measure to expand the Child Care Benefit and reduce the benefits cliff is expected to be advanced by the Wisconsin State Assembly on June 29.
