Meet ALICE
I am your neighbor. I am your co-worker. I am your family member.
I am here.
I am here.
Who is ALICE?
ALICE is an acronym that stands for Asset-Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.
It's used as a way to define the population of people who earn above the Federal Poverty Level, receiving very little to no government assistance, while still struggling to make ends meet for basic necessities in today's economy - such as housing, childcare, food, healthcare, technology, or transportation.
It's used as a way to define the population of people who earn above the Federal Poverty Level, receiving very little to no government assistance, while still struggling to make ends meet for basic necessities in today's economy - such as housing, childcare, food, healthcare, technology, or transportation.
42%
of bay county is considered alice or below
2025 Bay county AliCE ReportThe ALICE Report shows the basic cost of living—determined by measuring the lowest costs of housing, food, health care, childcare, transportation, taxes and technology—is far outpacing household income for more than one in three families in Michigan. To ensure Bay County is a thriving community where everyone has access to equitable opportunities that lead to an enhanced quality of life, we advocate for policies that ensure an effective safety net for households during times of crisis, and sustain programs that directly target ALICE lifelines, and fill in gaps of assistance.
ALICE ESSENTIALS
The ALICE Essentials categories represent the basic goods and services
that are essential to living and working in our current economy.
that are essential to living and working in our current economy.
CHILDCARE
Affordable, high-quality childcare is critical for working families, yet many ALICE households struggle to cover the cost. Without dependable childcare, parents often face the difficult choice of reducing work hours or leaving the workforce altogether.
How United Way Helps
United Way of Bay County invests in programs within the community that alleviate the cost associated with childcare/ afterschool programs, ensuring accessible options for all needs.
- Boys and Girls Club – Afterschool and Summer Programs
- Bay County Child and Senior Center – Fremont Center
tRANSPORTATION
Reliable transportation is essential for maintaining employment, accessing childcare, and reaching vital services. However, many ALICE households face overwhelming costs for vehicle ownership, fuel, insurance, and repairs.
How United Way Helps
United Way of Bay County’s Ride Forward program provides safe, reliable transportation for ALICE seniors aged 60 and older, helping them stay independent and connected to essential services.
Housing
Safe, stable housing is the cornerstone of financial well-being, yet for many ALICE families, rent or mortgage payments consume an outsized portion of their income. A single unexpected expense can put them at risk of losing their home.
How United Way Helps
United Way of Bay County invests in and leads programs within the community to address stable housing.
- Youth Samaritan Services – inlcuding the Youth Shelter, the Doud House transitional housing unit, and the Labadie Lofts
FOOD ASSISTANCE
Many ALICE families or individuals struggle with food insecurity, having to make choices between paying their bills over putting food on the table, as the majority of ALICE households earn too much to qualify for
SNAP Benefits.
SNAP Benefits.
How United Way Helps
United Way of Bay County’s Food Forward Program provides a monthly subsidy for groceries for ALICE, based on household size and needs. This not only eases financial stress for families but also supports local businesses like farmers and grocers who are approved vendors.
- United Way also invests in programs such as Hidden Harvest to ensure that food does not go to waste, and reaches our most vulnerable communities.
HEALTH CARE
Health care is a major concern for the ALICE population (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) because they often earn too much to qualify for public assistance but not enough to afford the high cost of medical care. Even with full-time work, many ALICE households lack employer-sponsored insurance, face high deductibles, or must choose between paying for health care and other essentials like housing, food, and transportation. As a result, they are more likely to delay treatment, skip medications, or avoid preventive care—leading to worse health outcomes and higher long‑term costs.
How United Way Helps
United Way of Bay County supports community programs that reduce the financial burden of taking care of your physical health, mental health and substance abuse services, ensuring that everyone who needs help can access it.
- Dow Bay Area Family YMCA – Bay-Arenc ISD Adaptive Swim Program
- Catholic Family Services – Outpaient Mental Health Program
- Scared Heart Rehabilitation Center – Rehab Program and HIV Housing Assistance Program
We also work with our healthcare networks to integrate them into our Community Information Exchange (CIE), streamlining the connection for assistance outside of medical needs.
TECHNOLOGY
Technology is a major concern for the ALICE population because staying connected—through internet access, devices, and digital tools—is essential for work, school, health care, and everyday tasks. Yet the cost of reliable broadband, smartphones, computers, and repairs often exceeds what ALICE households can afford. Many also live in areas with limited access to high‑speed internet, limiting access to opportunities to stay connected and pursue opportunities
How United Way Helps
United Way of Bay County knows that technology is a huge barrier for our community members, especially when it comes to applying for assistance programs. We have technology on site for residents to use, and Community Resource Navigators to help you apply for assistance, such as MIBridges, UW Programs, or partner programs.
ALICE IN BAY COUNTY
Of the 42% below the ALICE threshold, ALICE strictly represents 27% of the population in Bay County. These are the workers who keep our community running yet struggle to afford even the most basic necessities, who often feel like they’re walking a tightrope with no safety net below. They are the childcare teachers who greet our little ones every morning, the home health aides who care for our loved ones, the grocery clerks who never stop showing up, even when times are hard.
Their stories are full of perseverance and quiet strength, but also of sacrifice—skipping their own needs to make sure their children have what they need, working multiple jobs yet still falling short when unexpected expenses arise.
United Way of Bay County is here to support ALICE families and individuals through the programs and initiatives we have established, or fund within the community, supporting ALICE lifelines, such as transportation, affordable childcare, access to food, clothing for their children, and much more.
Their stories are full of perseverance and quiet strength, but also of sacrifice—skipping their own needs to make sure their children have what they need, working multiple jobs yet still falling short when unexpected expenses arise.
United Way of Bay County is here to support ALICE families and individuals through the programs and initiatives we have established, or fund within the community, supporting ALICE lifelines, such as transportation, affordable childcare, access to food, clothing for their children, and much more.
ALICE IS HERE
ALICE IN MICHIGAN
According to the United For ALICE data, of Michigan's 4,076,984 households, 14% earned below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and 27% were stricly ALICE.
The FPL determines whether a family, or individual qualifies for government assistance.
Programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, and chilcare support, use the FPL, or a percentage of the FPL, as a benchmark, comparing a family or individuals income and household size to determine if they are eligible.
The FPL determines whether a family, or individual qualifies for government assistance.
Programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, and chilcare support, use the FPL, or a percentage of the FPL, as a benchmark, comparing a family or individuals income and household size to determine if they are eligible.
In 2026, the Federal Poverty Level is $15,960 for an individual and $33,000 for a family of four.
In Michigan, average basic costs in the ALICE Household Survival Budget are $28,740 for a single adult and $74,556 for a family of four with two adults and two children in child care.
That leaves a $12,780 gap for an individual and $41,556 gap for a family of four to survive with no governmental assistance.
In Michigan, average basic costs in the ALICE Household Survival Budget are $28,740 for a single adult and $74,556 for a family of four with two adults and two children in child care.
That leaves a $12,780 gap for an individual and $41,556 gap for a family of four to survive with no governmental assistance.
CHILDREN IN HARDSHIP
Children in the ALICE population face difficult situations, and are
considered the most vulnerable age group for ALICE.
These children navigate daily instability—housing insecurity, limited access to quality child care, inconsistent nutrition, and fewer enrichment opportunities—which can profoundly affect their development and long‑term well‑being. They are here, learning alongside their peers, dreaming just as big, and depending on the systems around them to recognize their potential.
According to the ALICE in Focus: Children in Financial Hardship report,
607,468 children are considered to be ALICE in Michigan.
Amoung those children, Black (37%) and Hispanic (33%) kids make up the largest porportions.
read the alice in focus: children in financial hardship reportconsidered the most vulnerable age group for ALICE.
These children navigate daily instability—housing insecurity, limited access to quality child care, inconsistent nutrition, and fewer enrichment opportunities—which can profoundly affect their development and long‑term well‑being. They are here, learning alongside their peers, dreaming just as big, and depending on the systems around them to recognize their potential.
According to the ALICE in Focus: Children in Financial Hardship report,
607,468 children are considered to be ALICE in Michigan.
Amoung those children, Black (37%) and Hispanic (33%) kids make up the largest porportions.
WALK IN THE SHOES OF ALICE YOUTH
Through the generous support of Consumers Energy Foundation, United Way of Bay County was able to create a training simulation, Lifted Voices: Navigating The Challenges Facing Our ALICE Youth, for those who are working with youth in our community to better understand the challenges that they face daily.
To learn more about the Lifted Voices: Navigating The Challenges Facing Our ALICE Youth,
or to schedule a facilitator to provide this training, contact us below!
Contact usor to schedule a facilitator to provide this training, contact us below!