Get Help: United for ALICE

United Way of Bucks County ensures that working families can access the help they need.

United Way of Bucks County is offering free assistance to help ALICE (asset-limited, income-constrained, employed) residents of Bucks County. Working households who earn too much to qualify for other programs, but not enough to manage unplanned expenses may be eligible for emergency assistance.

HOW TO GET HELP

Referrals can be made by United Way of Bucks County Member Agencies. Read more about program requirements below.

Before COVID, about 6% of Bucks County residents were living in poverty, but another 24% were ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). We believe that number is even larger now.

ALICE is above the poverty line, but often struggles to cover the cost of basic needs.

Unfortunately, ALICE earns too much to qualify for assistance from most programs – yet there is no room in ALICE’s budget for emergencies.

That’s why many ALICE families are just one unexpected bill away from a financial crisis that could permanently impact their family.

United Way of Bucks County is piloting United for ALICE, a program that provides emergency assistance to working people who earn too much to qualify for other programs, but not enough to manage unplanned expenses.

Our goal is to work with Members Agencies to ensure that ALICE families can access the help they need.

  • When our Member Agencies can’t help people –usually because their income is above a certain threshold – they can be referred to us.
  • We take a step-by-step approach to determine who is eligible for assistance through United for ALICE.
  • First, we verify employment status and household income. Most of the families we serve will be between 200 – 300% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines; all will be below our community’s Area Median Income. However, ALICE is calculated based on household composition and is not a fixed number. For more details, go to unitedforalice.org/pennsylvania.
  • Once we confirm eligibility – and that one-time financial assistance will truly solve the problem – we evaluate needs and assist with things like rent, utilities, gas or car repairs, pharmacy costs, and other critical needs.
  • If clients don’t meet our eligibility requirements, we refer them to other appropriate services for help.

To request assistance, please fill out the request form below. If you have questions please contact Nikki Farrior at nikkif@uwbucks.org or 215.949.1660, ext. 106.

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