United Way ALICE® Report
ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. The earnings of Maryland ALICE individuals and families are not enough to support a “survival budget” that is far higher than the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)–in some cases, more than three times higher than the FPL.
The latest ALICE Report, released by United Ways throughout the state of Maryland, reveals that 39% of households can’t afford the state’s high cost of living and don’t earn enough to pay for basic necessities like housing, food, healthcare, childcare, and transportation. This percentage, based on 2018 data, is clearly higher in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating economic impact on our residents.
The Maryland ALICE Survival Budget that covers just the most basic necessities was $87,156 for a family of four and $33,636 for a single adult in 2018.
“Today, as we face record unemployment rates, we know the number of Maryland households that are struggling is more than has been accounted for in our report – which is based on data collected in 2018,” said Franklyn Baker, president and CEO, United Way of Central Maryland. “The pandemic has exposed exactly the issues of economic fragility that the ALICE Report reveals and for thousands that the impact of COVID-19 has suddenly thrust into the ALICE population. Of the tens of thousands of calls we have received to the 211 Maryland United Way Helpline for food, healthcare, housing assistance, and other resources, many are from those who have not had to deal with these challenges before As the pandemic continues to wreak havoc on our economy, we will continue to provide what’s needed, where it’s needed for those in our region who are struggling to rebuild their lives.”
You can help those who are among the ALICE population with a donation today.