WHO IS ALICE?
Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed
ALICE represents individuals and households who earn just above the Federal Poverty Level but less than what it costs to make ends meet. ALICE workers often struggle to keep their own households from financial ruin while keeping our communities running; ALICE is your child care worker, cashier, home health aide, office assistant or general laborer... all people who are essential to our success.
WHAT IS THE UNITED WAY ALICE INITIATIVE?
The United Way ALICE Initiative is a collaborative research effort identifying and communicating the needs of the voiceless part of our communities; allowing for local change-makers to understand, measure, and advance change to improve the lives of ALICE households, ultimately strengthening our communities.
The United Way ALICE Report Reveals:
ALICE IN ACTION
In 2023, according to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), 11% of Wisconsin households were financially insecure. Yet this measure failed to account for an additional 24% of households that were also experiencing financial hardship. These households are ALICE: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — with income above the FPL, but not enough to afford basic expenses in the county where they live.
Between ALICE households and those living in poverty, an estimated 35% of households in Wisconsin were below the ALICE Threshold in 2023. Households below the Threshold are forced to make impossible choices — like deciding whether to pay for utilities or a car repair, whether to buy food or fill a prescription.
In Portage County, 33% of the population is living below the ALICE Threshold. What is needed for a household to survive? Click on the reports below to see what income level is needed to support families basic needs of housing, child care, food, transportation and health care in our communities.
MORE RESOURCES
ALICE in Portage County (2025 version)