Supporting ALICE Families

About ALICE in Connecticut

ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed—households that earn above the Federal Poverty Level but still cannot afford basic needs. The newly released 2026 State of ALICE in Connecticut Report, based on 2024 data, shows that 39% of Connecticut households — nearly 570,000 households — live below the ALICE Threshold. This includes 11% of households living in poverty and another 28% that are ALICE.

For many working households, the cost of basic necessities continues to outpace what their income can support. In 2024, Connecticut's Household Survival Budget was $40,140 for a single adult and $116,304 for a family of four, compared with Federal Poverty Levels of just $15,060 and $31,200, respectively.

About ALICE in Middlesex County

Here in the Middlesex United Way service area, 33% of households are below the ALICE Threshold. Of 69,885 households, 8% are living in poverty and another 25% are ALICE, meaning approximately 23,200 local households are struggling to afford the basics.

The numbers vary significantly across our 15 towns, from 19% of households in Durham to 44% in Middletown, underscoring that financial hardship exists in communities throughout Middlesex County. Deep River saw a jump in ALICE household with approximately 43% now considered at or below the ALICE threshold.

How We Support ALICE Families

At Middlesex United Way, we work year-round to help ALICE households meet basic needs and build greater financial stability through local partnerships, community investments, and direct initiatives.

Food access is one example of that work. Through our ongoing Middlesex Pantry Project, we work with food pantries and community partners across Middlesex County to help keep shelves stocked and connect neighbors with the resources they need. In 2026, we expanded that effort with our inaugural Flood the Food Banks countywide food drive, bringing together businesses, volunteers, and community members to collect and distribute food to pantries throughout the county.

These efforts are part of our broader commitment to addressing the everyday challenges facing ALICE households and helping create a stronger, more financially secure Middlesex County.

You can explore the full 2026 ALICE Report (PDF) and view Middlesex County-specific data to see how financial hardship impacts our local community by clicking on the links below.