The Plight of ALICE

You work all the time, but you are still in debt. Economists use the term “the working poor,” but you would never use that term to describe yourself. It sounds like something that supervillains say when peering down from their penthouse retreats at the working poor, trying to tilt their magnifying glasses at just the right angle under the California sun to set the working poor on fire. 

You aren’t unemployed, and you are not even poor enough to qualify for enough government benefits to make a dent in your poverty. You even own property, but it is encumbered by so much debt that your goal for the foreseeable future is to service your debt rather than pay it down by any substantial margin. 

Finally, the United Way has a name for the millions of Americans in your situation, namely ALICE, which stands for asset-limited, income-constrained, and employed, but it might as well stand for Americans living in crisis eternally. Of course, identifying the problem is only the first step toward solving it. The United Way has some ideas about what to do next, but for faster and more individualized solutions, you should contact an Oakland lawsuits, collections, and creditor harassment lawyer.

ALICE’s Adventures in Late-Stage Capitalism

Almost everyone is struggling financially, and the reasons for it are so many that it is hard to know which of them you should try to address first or even where you as an individual can focus your energies to make the most difference in your own financial situation and the circumstances of those around you. Public policies aimed at alleviating poverty tend to be Band-Aid solutions that only make a difference to the neediest or most visible of the millions of people who need help.

The United Way has initiated a project called United for ALICE, and it is currently operating through United Way chapters in 25 states, including California. The purpose of the project is to collect data and conduct research on the economic situation of working Americans in order to inform policymakers so that they can introduce policies that would benefit the numerous Americans whose financial situation is precarious despite the fact that they carry a full-time workload. The project also provides opportunities for local nonprofit organizations and businesses to partner with the United Way to engage in projects that would bring opportunities for local residents to increase their income and reduce their expenses.

In other words, someone out there does care about ALICE, but there are no simple and immediate solutions. If you are struggling with debt now, a debt relief lawyer can help you file for bankruptcy protection or renegotiate a loan agreement where you are at risk of falling behind on payments.

Contact the Law Office of Melanie Tavare About Getting Relief From Debt

A debt relief lawyer can help you discharge or restructure your debts if you work full-time but are still struggling to keep up with payments. Contact the Law Office of Melanie Tavare in Oakland, California, or call (510)255-4646 for a case evaluation.