The program is designed to encourage "ALICE" - Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, - to begin their habit of saving by enrolling in two free, award--winning programs.
For the first time anywhere,
SaverLife, a proven savings product from the California-based nonprofit EARN, and
Trusted Advisor, a successful financial counseling program operated by the New York--based Neighborhood Trust Financial Partners, will be available to help families build emergency savings and begin a journey to financial security.
By joining
SaverLife participants receive financial rewards for consistent saving. Savers earn $10 for every month that they save at least $20 and have the potential to earn up to $60 in rewards at the end of the six--month program. Savers who securely link their savings account to SaverLife earn rewards and have access to other supports.
Savers will also be offered the opportunity to take an additional step towards financial security by enrolling in
Trusted Advisor, a technology--enabled financial counseling program. A
Trusted Advisor counselor, available through Skype or by telephone, will help Savers develop a financial action plan with concrete steps to meet financial goals.
In its 2018 ALICE Report, a study of financial hardship, United Ways found that 40% of Connecticut households cannot afford basic living expenses while 46% do not have enough savings to cover expenses for 3 months. While 37% of CT residents did not set aside any money for emergencies last year, research shows that families with a savings of just $250 are less likely to be evicted or miss a housing or utility payment.
The program is open to all Connecticut residents over age 18 until the end of 2019.
ALICE Saves is a program of Connecticut United Ways in collaboration with EARN and Neighborhood Trust Financial Partners. In addition to Connecticut United Ways, it is funded by JPMorgan Chase and Webster Bank.
For more information or to register for ALICE Saves, please visit
ctalicesaves.org or contact your local United Way.
