Understanding the Financial Reality for Working Families

Financial hardship is more complex than it appears, and the outdated Federal Poverty Level does not tell the whole story.  Across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, hundreds of thousands of hardworking families are doing everything right — working, raising children, contributing to their communities — yet still struggling to meet their basic needs.

These households are known as ALICE: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.

ALICE households earn more than the federal poverty level but still do not earn enough to afford the true cost of living in their communities. As a result, many families are forced to make difficult choices just to get by — deciding whether to pay rent or buy groceries, cover a medical bill or pay for child care, keep the lights on or fill the gas tank to get to work.

ALICE households are not a small or isolated group. They represent a wide cross-section of our communities:

• They span all races, ages, ethnicities, and abilities, although households of color are disproportionately impacted.

• They include hardworking individuals whose wages cannot keep pace with the rising cost of housing, food, health care, and other essentials.

• Many are working two or more jobs and still struggle to pay their bills and maintain financial stability.

United Ways across the Pacific Northwest use ALICE research and data to better understand financial hardship in our region and to advocate for policies and programs that help working families achieve stability. ALICE data helps communities see the full picture of financial hardship, not just poverty. It highlights the millions of working households who are often invisible in traditional economic measures.

UNITED for ALICE

United for ALICE is a national grassroots movement led by the United Way of Northern New Jersey that shines a light on the financial struggles facing millions of working individuals and families. Since its launch, the ALICE movement has expanded to more than two-thirds of U.S. states, including Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Through the United for ALICE project, national, state, and local data are used to provide a clearer picture of what it truly costs for households to make ends meet in their communities. Meet ALICE.

Why ALICE Matters

ALICE workers are essential to the fabric of our communities. They fill critical roles we rely on every day — including childcare providers, educators, home health aides, mechanics, and many other vital professions that keep our local economies running. The future success of our communities is closely tied to the financial stability of ALICE households. When these hardworking families are forced to make difficult choices about housing, child care, health care, or transportation, the impacts ripple across our workforce, our schools, and our communities.

The State of ALICE: An Update on Financial Hardship across the Pacific Northwest

Financial hardship across the Pacific Northwest continues to be shaped by shifting economic forces — including inflation, wage changes, and evolving public assistance programs. While many households earn above the federal poverty level, traditional measures still fail to capture the full number of families struggling to meet basic needs.

To better reflect the realities ALICE households face every day, updated ALICE data and reports are released annually, providing a clearer picture of financial hardship across our region and the changing economic conditions impacting working families.

Visit UnitedforALICE.org to learn more about the National Overview of the State of ALICE in the U.S.

ALICE in Focus Series | Children, People with Disabilities, and Veterans

Since 2009, United For ALICE has shed light on the everyday struggles of households that are ALICE. The ALICE in Focus Research Series takes this data to a new level, spotlighting the struggles of people in specific ALICE populations, including children, people with disabilities, and military veterans. 

The ALICE in Focus dashboards and research briefs allow you to break down the data on these groups by race/ethnicity, disability status, living arrangements, number of workers in the household, and much more. It's a new lens on specific populations in financial hardship — with a level of detail that can help drive meaningful change.

ALICE and the Dental Divide in the United States

Nationwide, there is a health-wealth divide in access to care and dental health outcomes. Higher income is associated with better access to routine preventive dental care (like regular checkups and cleanings) and specialized dental care (dealing with damaged or missing teeth, dental disease, orthodontics, and more), as well as access to cosmetic procedures that straighten and whiten teeth, improving social and job opportunities. Yet when people are financially insecure, they often have to forgo or postpone even routine preventive care. This can lead to tooth decay, tooth loss, gum disease, cardiovascular disease, social anxiety, embarrassment, and overall poorer quality of life. Not only do households earning lower incomes have greater unmet dental needs, but even when they can access dental care, their out-of-pocket financial burden is disproportionately higher.

Access the key findings for the U.S. and by state HERE.

ALICE Economic Viability Dashboard

Measuring Economic Well-Being for ALICE

The ALICE Economic Viability Dashboard reveals the economic and community conditions of people who are struggling financially — those below the ALICE Threshold. By studying ALICE households as well as those in poverty, United For ALICE research shows the true extent of financial hardship across the country. The ALICE Economic Viability Dashboard builds on this research, exploring why so many households are struggling, with new data on ALICE work, housing, and community resources.

Access the Economic Viability Dashboard HERE.

Pacific Northwest ALICE Report Sponsors

Special thanks to the following sponsors for helping to bring the ALICE Report to the Pacific Northwest states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

Support ALICE in the PNW