TOLEDO, Ohio — The minimum wage in Ohio rose by 80 cents to $10.10 per hour, a change that took effect on Jan. 1, 2023.
Even with the increase, some experts say it's not enough to get by.
According to United Way of Greater Toledo CEO Wendy Pestrue, 44% of Lucas County's population falls into the ALICE bracket: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.
People in that category struggle to keep up with the cost of living, rising grocery prices and other basic essentials, especially as people still grapple with inflation.
"If they have one incident really shake up their financial stability, they could lose their home, they can lose that stability really quickly," Pestrue said.
Pestrue said a livable wage for one person in Toledo starts around $15 to $18 dollars an hour. For families, that number is even higher.
But many Glass City households are making up to 38% of income and often relying on minimum wage, Pestrue said.
After taking into account the prices of basic necessities, living at that income level is a day-to-day struggle.
"Start thinking about your grocery cart, your electric bill, rising rent, it starts to get very difficult," Pestrue said. "Throw in needing to get your car fixed or medicine for a sick child. There are so many things that we find, curveballs especially, that really create a cascade of instability for our families."
If you or a loved one are struggling financially, Pestrue said to call the United Way at 211. The United Way has financial resources available for those who need them and is offering tax assistance until April.
To learn more about United for ALICE, a national organization that works to promote financial stability at the national, state and local levels, click here.
The group also has an Ohio-based research center.