Working families who are supported by federal benefits can sometimes find themselves in a difficult spot when a potential promotion or raise at work is not cause for celebration, but sparks worries about falling off the benefits cliff.

Those receiving federal public assistance can see a complete loss of federal resources after even a small increase in income. But the Upward Mobility Act, introduced by U.S. Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, is meant to change that. Better still, it would help streamline some of the bureaucracy that feeds off such programs.

It would create a five-year pilot program in five states to “combine funding from multiple federal anti-poverty programs into a single funding stream to eliminate benefits cliffs,” according to Husted’s office. “States would be free to utilize savings from reduced bureaucracy as well as resources from non-profit and private sectors to design and invest in programs that prevent benefits cliffs while providing for the immediate needs of vulnerable populations.”

It’s not a total solution, but sounds like an excellent start.

“I am proud to champion the Upward Mobility Act and the critical support it will provide to the families, helping them remain stable as they leave public assistance programs and preventing them from falling off the benefits cliff,” said Theresa Lavender, of Meigs County Jobs and Family Services. “The Benefit Bridge program, operated at our OhioMeansJobs Center has truly been a lifeline for working families. This flexible funded program helps prevent the benefit cliff by ensuring families don’t lose critical support the moment they advance in their employment. This program allows parents to pursue better jobs, higher wages, and long-term stability without the fear of losing immediate access to childcare, housing, healthcare, or other essential services. It has empowered working parents to succeed and opened real pathways to long-term economic independence.”

That’s what it’s all about, right? These programs are supposed to be a hand up, and the Upward Mobility Act certainly appears to be a way to improve their ability to be just that. Assuming the bill passes and the pilot programs prove a success, federal officials should waste no time implementing the effort everywhere.