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benefits-cliff-check

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Check whether a raise, more hours, or a new job could cost you more in lost benefits than you gain — the 'benefits cliff' — before you accept it. Use when asked will a raise hurt my benefits, benefits cliff, if I make more will I lose my food stamps or medicaid, or should I take more hours. Produces a plain map of which benefits phase out at what income (and which cut off suddenly vs. taper), a rough read on whether a specific income change helps or hurts net, the ones with hard cliffs to watch (childcare, Medicaid, housing), the moves that soften a cliff, and where to get a real benefits screening. Not financial/benefits advice; points to a benefits counselor.

skills/benefits-cliff-check/SKILL.md

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# Benefits-Cliff Check

More income is supposed to mean more money — but for people on income-tested benefits, a raise can cost more in lost help than it adds in pay. That's the benefits cliff, and it blindsides people into being worse off for working more. This maps how your benefits phase out, gives a rough read on whether a specific change helps or hurts net, and flags the hard cliffs — so you decide with eyes open and get a real screening before acting.

## What This Skill Produces

- **A phase-out map** — which of your benefits taper gradually vs. cut off at a hard income line (food assistance, Medicaid/health subsidies, childcare help, housing assistance, EITC)
- **A rough net read** — for a specific raise/hours/new job, a plain estimate of whether you come out ahead, flat, or behind after benefit changes
- **The hard cliffs to watch** — the benefits that vanish suddenly at a threshold (often childcare, Medicaid, housing) where a small raise can cost a lot
- **Cliff-softening moves** — options like pre-tax contributions, timing, or transitional-benefit programs that ease a threshold
- **A "get it screened" pointer** — where a benefits counselor can run your actual numbers (this is a directional read, not a calculation)
- **A decision frame** — accept, negotiate differently, or plan the income increase in steps

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