Skip to content

In the News

The Editorial Board: ‘Benefits Cliff Calculator’ takes a step toward managing an economic hazard

Blog Categories

BUFFALO, N.Y. (The Buffalo News) — In facing, head on, the “benefits cliff,” the Buffalo Niagara Partnership is making an important effort to help underemployed individuals who may risk losing benefits by accepting overtime or a promotion, while also assisting business owners overcome staffing problems.

The benefits cliff is a frustrating and pointless circumstance in which a worker loses important assistance by accepting additional income – overtime, a raise or even a new job. Earn even a dollar over the maximum allowed and all benefits may be forfeited. Financial improvement becomes elusive because of rules that hurt the worker, the employer and taxpayers.

As the Partnership’s president and CEO, Dottie Gallagher, pointed out, employees who decline that additional income aren’t being lazy; they’re making a rational economic decision. To help counter that problem, the Partnership is providing a new online tool.

Read more here.

Related Posts

Local businesses say they’re still having a hard time finding qualified workers to fill positions

By mcotter@thepartnership.org | January 27, 2023

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — It appears Erie county’s economy is off to a strong start in 2023. That’s according to the county executive and an historic new “unemployment report” for our region. But, is this really good news for local businesses?

Buffalo Niagara Partnership focusing on unemployment insurance costs, energy plan

By mcotter@thepartnership.org | January 13, 2023

BUFFALO, N.Y. (The Buffalo News) — A Buffalo Niagara Partnership program aimed at preparing workers for jobs in manufacturing and other fields was awarded a $1 million grant from the state Office of Strategic Workforce Development.

Workforce development get boost from $1M state grant

By mcotter@thepartnership.org | January 4, 2023

BUFFALO, N.Y. (The Buffalo News) — A Buffalo Niagara Partnership program aimed at preparing workers for jobs in manufacturing and other fields was awarded a $1 million grant from the state Office of Strategic Workforce Development.

Governor Hochul Announces First-ever Round of Office of Strategic Workforce Development Grant Awards Totaling More than $6 Million

By mcotter@thepartnership.org | December 29, 2022

ALBANY, N.Y. — Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the New York State Office of Strategic Workforce Development has awarded more than $6 million in grants to eight projects across the state through the first round of the Capital and Pay for Performance Grant Programs.