ALICE (Asset Limitied, Income Constrained, Employed) provides a comprehensive and unbiased picture of financial hardship. This tool is used to help individuals and families learn more about their income. Being under the ALICE threshold means that your household earns more than the Federal Poverty Level, but not enough to afford the basics where you live. In 2023, Butler County reported 35% of families are considered under the ALICE threshold. This means that 35% of our residents are not making enough money to afford basic needs. Living paycheck to paycheck means that they are forced to make tough decisions if an emergency occurs. Would you pay your rent? Or would you buy food first? Receive medical care or pay for childcare? Pay your utilities or put gas in your car?
Living under the ALICE threshold also doesn't have to mean that you are on the verge of losing your house. Some of our neighbors are working two jobs or have a well-paying job that's still not keeping up with the rising cost of goods and services. Living expenses are continuing to rise while wages are struggling to keep up in a high demand world.
Identifying the ALICE population builds a more accurate picture of how many households and individuals are financially insecure and informs community and stakeholder strategies and solutions for meaningful change. When households can afford the basics, there is a substantial positive impact on local communities and the wider economy. Harnessing this data and research on the mismatch between low-paying jobs and the cost of survival, ALICE partners convene, advocate, and collaborate on solutions that promote financial stability at local, state, and national levels. The ultimate goal of this project is to stimulate action that will improve the financial stability of ALICE families and their communities.
This tool will show you where your household falls on the ALICE scale. You enter your monthly or yearly income and the number of people in your household, and ALICE does the rest! Find out today if you are considered financially secure.
The ALICE Wage Tool identifies the counties where a certain hourly wage can support the Household Survival Budget for a selected household type. For example, when viewing only Kansas, with two adults working full time and both earning $14 per hour, they can not afford the Household Survival Budget for a family of 3 in Butler County.
We are here for our community members. When you make an appointment with our Community Resource Navigator, she can help guide you through the ALICE process. This means that we will be better equipped at supporting you. Assisting you with referrals or making a new budget (and utilizing the support programs in place for Butler County residents). Contact our Resource Navigation at 316.321.6200 or email at crn@unitedwayofeldorado.org and let's talk about how we can help!