United Way presentation: nearly half of Randolph County households fall at or below ALICE threshold; SNAP delays could hit 22,000 residents
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Summary
United Way of Randolph County presented an ALICE report showing about 49% of local households fall at or below the ALICE survival threshold (based on 2022 figures), and county social-services staff warned Nov. 3 that federal SNAP benefit delays related to a government shutdown may cause partial payments affecting roughly 22,000 residents.
Samantha 'Sam' Baker of United Way of Randolph County presented the county’s ALICE snapshot to the Board of Commissioners on Nov. 3, saying the report uses 2022 figures and shows nearly half of local households fall at or below a survival budget.
"ALICE stands for assets limited, income constrained, employed," Baker said, and she explained a survival budget for a family of four in North Carolina was a little over $80,000 based on 2022 numbers. Baker told commissioners that gap between typical combined wages from common jobs and the survival budget creates a roughly $21,000 shortfall for many families.
Baker also described rising unmet needs reported through the 2-1-1 referral system and a loss of key nonprofit funding streams: the emergency food and shelter program lost $150,000 and a domestic violence support program lost $700,000, which reduced local commodity distribution from roughly 280 pounds per month to 80.
Later in the agenda Tracy (Department of Social Services) told commissioners the federal shutdown was creating evolving uncertainty for SNAP benefits. Tracy said county staff had been notified late in the day about a potential partial benefit payout in November and that approximately 22,000 Randolph County citizens receive SNAP. "We are 15 from the highest percentage of citizens who are receiving these benefits," Tracy said in describing the county’s relative ranking among North Carolina counties. Tracy cautioned the board that she had not seen written confirmation and that the situation could evolve, but she urged residents to continue applications and recertifications.
Tara (WIC) told commissioners WIC funding was secure through November and that WIC clinics were operating as usual, and advised participants to spend benefits at a normal rate so funds last.
United Way asked the board to partner with nonprofits to reduce strain on emergency systems, support workforce retention, and help residents remain housed. Baker asked commissioners to consider United Way as a resource and to invite nonprofit partners into county planning tables.
