ALICE

A common belief among many Americans is that if you show up and work hard, you can support your family. The evidence — supported by United Way’s 211 data — shows that, for 41% of households in southwestern Pennsylvania, that is not the case. United Way’s ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) data tracks the true costs of meeting basic needs such as housing, transportation, child care, health care and basic technology.

ALICE provides a much more realistic picture than the federal poverty guidelines. The federal poverty level, which measures only the cost of food, is $15,500 per year for a family of four. By comparison, the ALICE budget for a family of four with two children in child care in Pennsylvania is $88,896 annually. 

Too many people cannot afford basic needs

41% of people regionally do not earn enough to survive.

What ALICE data makes clear is that far too many of our neighbors- more than 350,0000 in our area– do not earn enough to afford the basic necessities of life. Many also encounter the “benefits cliff” because they earn too much to receive government assistance. ALICE workers are service employees, receptionists, caregivers and seasonal workers. United Way, in collaboration with our partner agencies, is committed to raising awareness of ALICE and the true cost of meeting basic needs so that we can mobilize the community. You can access the latest ALICE Pennsylvania report in our Knowledge Center.