Ended up earning $1943 gross in a calendar month (5 Fridays meant 3 bi-weekly paydays), went from $540 in SNAP benefits to $0 with a requirement to go through the re-application process.
‘course, if we're dropping people from the system, how about we start with families of illegals were both parents aren't here legally and all benefits stem because they've got an anchor baby in the family to attach all the benefits to?
I'm also not totally convinced at the whole asset test; went through decades of balancing my brother-in-law's bank account (Downs syndrome) to ensure it never goes over the magic $2,000; that account paid for the yearly clothes shopping, the replacement glasses, etc. If it accidentally slipped to $2,015, and it went a couple months without notice, SDI pulls back money from future checks.
Honestly, I want to see a system that goes back to the old 2:1 exchange; for every $2 earned, $1 in benefits reduced. It'll ease the landmine in monthly income, encourage people to earn more money, and eventually, save the country more money.
I agree with you that simple “all or none” thresholds give people a bad incentive, to keep their income from growing.
If making $100 dollars more costs you $500, it is a roadblock to advancing. You called it a “landmine”.
Your 2 to 1 gradual transition off of benefits sounds like better policy, even if it is not as simple for the bureaucrats who administer it.