ALICE is your neighbor, your coworker, your child’s caregiver, the person who helps keep our communities running.

ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are individuals and families who earn more than the federal poverty level, but still struggle to afford the basics: housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and technology.

Across Northern New York, ALICE households are working, contributing, and doing their best to get ahead. But when income doesn’t keep pace with the real cost of living, even one unexpected expense can upset a carefully balanced household budget.

ALICE in Northern New York

40%

Jefferson County

13% of households live below poverty
27% are ALICE

39%

Lewis County

13% of households live below poverty
26% are ALICE

44%

St. Lawrence County

17% of households live below poverty
27% are ALICE

Source: United For ALICE, 2026 ALICE Report for New York; 2024 data.

These numbers tell an important story about financial stability in Northern New York. Even when households are above the Federal Poverty Level, many still do not earn enough to cover the basic cost of living.

money jar on its side with coins spilling out

When the Math Doesn’t Work

For ALICE households, the challenge is often simple: income doesn’t stretch far enough to cover the basics.

Housing. Child care. Groceries. Transportation. Health care. Utilities.

When those everyday costs consume most or all of a household’s income, there is little room to save or prepare for the unexpected. A car repair, medical bill, reduction in work hours, or increase in rent can quickly force difficult choices.

And while some households may qualify for assistance, others earn too much for certain programs while still not earning enough to comfortably meet their household expenses.

ALICE is Essential to Our Communities

ALICE workers are part of nearly every corner of our community. They care for children and older adults, serve our food, stock our shelves, support our schools, keep businesses running, and provide many of the services we rely on every day.

When ALICE households build greater financial stability, the benefits ripple outward to children, workplaces, and entire communities.

That’s why supporting ALICE isn’t simply about helping families through a difficult moment. It’s about creating opportunities for people to move forward.

Helping ALICE Move Forward

At United Way of Northern New York, we work alongside ALICE households and local employers to address immediate challenges, strengthen financial stability, and create opportunities for people to move forward.

Help When It’s Needed Most
When an unexpected expense threatens a household’s stability, United Way helps ALICE families navigate available resources and, when appropriate, provides short-term assistance to help them get back on track.

Getting Ahead in the Workplace
The Getting Ahead in the Workplace workshop brings working people together for a 16-week journey to examine where they are, identify the resources and relationships that can help, and build their own plan for a more stable future.

Staying Ahead
The journey doesn’t end at graduation. Staying Ahead keeps graduates connected through continued learning, resources, relationships, and support as they put their plans into action and continue working toward the goals they have set for themselves.

Be Part of the Solution

GIVE

Your support helps United Way respond when an unexpected expense threatens a household’s stability and invest in programs that help people move forward.

PARTNER

Employers and community organizations can connect ALICE households with resources, support employees facing financial challenges, and help strengthen pathways to stability.

LEARN

Explore the latest ALICE data to better understand financial hardship in Northern New York and the challenges facing working households in our communities.

Together, we can help create pathways to greater financial stability for ALICE families across Northern New York.

With Gratitude

United Way of Northern New York gratefully recognizes United Way of Northern New Jersey, founder and leader of United For ALICE, and United Way of New York State for their leadership in bringing greater understanding to the financial realities facing ALICE households.

We are proud to be part of a United Way network using this research to better understand our communities and strengthen opportunities for ALICE families.

Explore United For ALICE | Explore ALICE in New York