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ALICE cannot always pay the bills, has little or nothing in savings, and is forced to make tough choices such as deciding between quality child care or paying the rent. One unexpected car repair or medical bill can push these financially strapped families over the edge. The future success of our community is directly tied to the financial stability of these fragile ALICE households.

For 26% of Jasper County residents and 25% of Beaufort County residents, this is reality.

Helpful Resources:

Read the interactive ALICE Report

2024 ALICE in the Crosscurrents: An Update on Financial Hardship in South Carolina

Download the 2023 South Carolina ALICE Report

Beaufort County Fact Sheet

Jasper County Fact Sheet

Coming Soon (9/25)
Children in Financial Hardship

Interested in Attending a Poverty Simulation?

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to live on the edge of poverty? To struggle to put food on the table, pay rent and access basic necessities? Our Poverty Simulation offers a unique opportunity to understand these challenges firsthand. Click HERE to learn more.

 

 

Who is ALICE?

ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) may be a relative or friend. You may be ALICE. As cashiers, waiters, child care providers, and other members of our essential workforce, ALICE earns just above the Federal Poverty Level but less than what it costs to make ends meet. These struggling households are forced to make impossible choices each day. While such hardship is pervasive, households of color are disproportionately ALICE.

ALICE also represents the data reshaping the dialogue on financial hardship, and a grassroots movement that is picking up steam across half of U.S. states – and counting.

Essential, Working, Struggling

For a growing number of U.S. households, financial stability is nothing more than a pipe dream, no matter how hard their members work. These households are ALICE – Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed – earning above the Federal Poverty Level yet struggling to afford basic expenses.

ALICE households:

  • Span all races, ages, ethnicities, and abilities, though households of color are disproportionately ALICE
  • Include workers whose wages cannot keep up with the rising cost of goods and services
  • Often include those who are working two or more jobs and still cannot pay their bills
  • Include family members who need care and assistance, which makes it harder for their caregivers to find adequate work
  • Live paycheck to paycheck and are forced to make impossible choices: pay the rent or buy food, receive medical care or pay for child care, pay utility bills or put gas in the car
  • Are part of every community nationwide

ALICE may be your relative, friend, colleague, or neighbor, or you might be ALICE. ALICE may also be your health care provider, teacher, retail clerk, sanitation worker, and others. ALICE workers are the backbone of our economy, with the pandemic making it crystal clear just how much we need them.