Bridge to Prosperity (Cliff Effect Pilot)
Bridge to Prosperity is a Massachusetts pilot program implemented by Springfield WORKS (an initiative of the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council) to address the 'benefits cliff,' where modest wage increases cause working families to lose more in public benefits than they gain in pay. Authorized by the 2022 Massachusetts Economic Development Bill and funded with state (ARPA-origin) and private/philanthropic/corporate dollars, it provides tiered monthly cash bridge payments plus career and financial coaching to residents of Springfield, Worcester, and Boston who are advancing toward higher-wage jobs. UpTogether administers cash disbursements and coaching partners include United Way Pioneer Valley, Worcester Community Action Council, and Women's Money Matters. The Center for Social Policy at UMass Boston independently evaluates the pilot to inform future statewide safety-net policy.
Benefits cliff mitigation, Tiered payments, Cliff effect, Public benefits offset, Career coaching, Economic mobility
Headquarters
- Organization Name
- Springfield WORKS
- City
- Springfield
- State / Province
- Massachusetts
- Country
- United States
Contact
- Social media links
Status & Funding
- Organization status
- Active
- Program status
- Active
- Application status
- Timed
- Number of recipients
- 18
- Funding type
- Government, Philanthropic, Corporate, Research Pilot
Benefits
- Currency Type
- Fiat
- Currency
- USD
- Payment frequency
- Monthly
- How long the program lasts
- 24 months
- Distribution Type
- Check, Digital/Virtual payment card, Direct deposit to bank account, Pre-paid debit card, Re-loadable debit card
- Benefit details
Participants receive a tiered monthly 'bridge' cash payment of $300, $500, or $700 based on their estimated cliff-effect impact, intended to offset benefits lost (e.g., SNAP, childcare vouchers) as their earned income rises. At the end of the two-year (24-month) pilot, participants also receive a lump-sum $10,000 asset-building bonus intended for major investments like housing or transportation. Payments are disbursed via UpTogether's platform, which can include direct deposit, debit cards, or checks. Participants also receive one-on-one career and financial coaching and connections to employer partners (initial cohort concentrated in healthcare, e.g., Baystate Health).
Eligibility
Overview
- Eligibility details
Eligible participants are working residents of the Springfield, Worcester, and Boston, Massachusetts areas who receive public assistance (e.g., SNAP, childcare subsidies) and are pursuing higher-paying jobs or promotions that would trigger a benefits cliff. The program places an emphasis on Black and Latino residents, who are disproportionately impacted by the cliff effect. The initial cohort was concentrated among healthcare workers (e.g., aspiring LPNs at Baystate Health), though the program intends to expand into early education, hospitality, and trades sectors.
Demographics
- Race / ethnicity targets
- Emphasis on Black and Latino residents (disproportionately affected by the cliff effect), though not an exclusive eligibility requirement
Financial
- Currently receiving government benefits
- Required
- Employment status
- Employed
Geography
- US states covered
- Massachusetts
- Countries covered
- United States
- Cities covered
- Springfield, Worcester, Boston
- Counties covered
- Hampden, Worcester, Norfolk
- Residency of Target Geography
- Yes
Participation
- Research / data sharing
- Required
- Complementary program enrollment required
- Career coaching, Financial coaching
- Research / participation requirements
The pilot is independently evaluated by the Center for Social Policy at UMass Boston, which studies impacts on participants' financial wellness, employment, mental health, and well-being, as well as systemic effects on employer retention and social-service agency practices, in order to inform future Massachusetts and national safety-net policy on the benefits cliff.
Application Process
- How to apply
Enrollment is managed through Springfield WORKS and community-based coaching partners (United Way Pioneer Valley in Springfield, Worcester Community Action Council in Worcester, Women's Money Matters in Boston), who handle outreach, referrals, and enrollment for each cohort rather than a public open application; specific self-application steps were not published.
- Selection process
Participants are identified and referred through community-based coaching partner organizations and employer partnerships (e.g., Baystate Health) in Springfield, Worcester, and Boston, with priority given to workers at risk of or already experiencing the benefits cliff, particularly in sectors like healthcare.
