About

Who Is ALICE?

Our Essential Workforce

ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) is a term United Way coined to describe households that earn above the Federal Poverty Level, but not enough to make ends meet. Despite working – often at more than one job – these individuals and their families remain just one paycheck away from financial disaster.

ALICE households represent men and women of all ages and races who are unable to afford the basics. Their overstretched paychecks cannot keep pace with a cost of living that continues to skyrocket.

When COVID-19 hit, 27% of New Jersey households were ALICE and an additional 10 percent earned below the Federal Poverty Level. The unprecedented dual health and economic crisis of the pandemic has undoubtedly caused the percentage of these households to rise.

Learn More About ALICE:

To read our 2020 ALICE Report for New Jersey and view interactive graphics, click here. To read about the Report's top findings click here.