Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed

WHAT DOES ALICE STAND FOR?

ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. ALICE  could be your neighbor, a family member, or even you. This group includes essential workers like cashiers, waitstaff, child care providers, and many others who earn just above the Federal Poverty Level but struggle to cover basic living expenses. Each day, these households face difficult choices, often prioritizing between essentials like quality child care and paying rent. Households of color are disproportionately represented among those facing these challenges.

ALICE embodies the growing conversation around financial hardship and represents a grassroots movement gaining momentum across many U.S. states. ALICE is not just a statistic; it's a reflection of hardworking individuals in our communities who cannot always make ends meet.

ALICE earns above the federal poverty level, but does not earn enough to afford a bare-bones household budget of housing, child care, food, transportation, and health care. The United Way ALICE Reports utilize new measures to provide a clearer picture of financial insecurity at the state, county, and municipal levels, helping to highlight the needs of those who work hard but struggle to thrive.