The federal poverty level fails to support everyone who needs help. Income and family size draw a line for benefits like food stamps, rent assistance and childcare vouchers.
But United Way found that the population segment immediately outside federal poverty also needs assistance. These are families living paycheck to paycheck who must sacrifice one necessity for another—food or utilities, transportation or childcare.
Through a study in New Jersey, United Way created the designation of ALICE households. It stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed…