Exploring Financial Hardship by District

While the Federal Poverty Level is the basis for many public programs, looking at poverty alone excludes the 37.9 million households in the U.S. who are ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), earning above the poverty level but below the basic cost of living in their communities.

This interactive tool helps policymakers and community stakeholders better understand how many households are actually struggling in their district.

Not sure where to look? Find your district by address or current location.

Why Does This Data Matter for ALICE?

Insufficient Income: When households can’t afford the basics, they are forced to make difficult choices and trade-offs every day — impossible decisions like whether to pay for prescriptions or keep enough food on the table. The larger the gap between income and expenses, the more extreme the decisions and the greater the risks to a family’s immediate health, safety, and financial stability.

Financial hardship not only affects individuals and families, but it also has a negative impact — economically and socially — on the wider community. Learn more in our online report, The Consequences of Insufficient Household Income.

Race/Ethnicity: Overall, the races and ethnicities of ALICE households mirror those of the total state population. Yet some groups still face economic and systemic barriers that leave them far more likely to live below the ALICE Threshold. Looking at ALICE data by race/ethnicity illuminates these substantial disparities.

SNAP Utilization: For a variety of reasons, public assistance does not reach all households that are struggling financially. While most households in poverty are eligible, ALICE households often earn too much to qualify for assistance. SNAP, as one of the largest assistance programs, provides an example of the gap between program eligibility/access and need.