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Felons who live in Hawaii have several options they can explore if they feel they need some financial assistance. The programs that are available will provide grants to help felons with paying for rent, obtaining groceries, paying their utility bills, and even paying for their mobile phone. Most programs have a time limit on how long you can receive the assistance, but some will provide it for years.
Grants differ from loans in that they do not have to be paid back. When you receive a grant from a program you will not have to worry about paying it back later. The grant programs for felons aim to help those in need during financially challenging times. Be sure to check the qualification requirements for each program before applying. It’s a good idea to apply to several programs so you can obtain the most amount of help available.
Grants for Felons in Hawaii
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – Housing can be one of the biggest monthly bills that someone has. Felons who need housing assistance may qualify for some of the programs offered through HUD. The programs are federally funded and aim to help everyone be able to find affordable housing. The HUD programs include those that provide low income housing in units they own, called Section 8, as well as rent assistance, foreclosure avoidance, and weatherization services. In order to qualify for housing assistance through HUD, you must have a low income, and be a citizen or legal alien. To get more information about HUD in Hawaii or to apply for the programs, click here.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – Felons who need food help in Hawaii may qualify for a SNAP grant. The grant is given on a monthly basis to those who qualify. If you qualify for this program, formerly called food stamps, you will receive an electronic debit card that you can use to pay for groceries at the store or farmer’s market. In order to qualify for SNAP grants you have to have a low income, and be a citizen or legal alien. The program is open to individuals, as well as families. To apply, click here.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – The TANF program provides help to those who need cash assistance. The grant can be used to pay for a wide variety of living expenses, including paying for rent, clothing, food, transportation, and paying bills. The cash grant does not have to be paid back. To qualify for the program, you have to meet the low income requirements. To apply for cash grants through TANF in Hawaii, click here.
Medicaid – High healthcare costs may keep people from getting the medical treatments that they need. In Hawaii, if you have a low income you may qualify for free healthcare through the federally funded program called Medicaid. The program will pay for a wide variety of healthcare bills, including doctor visits, hospital stays, dental care, prescription drugs, and more. To qualify, you have to be a citizen or legal alien. To apply for Medicaid in Hawaii, click here.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – Felons who need help paying for their utility bills in Hawaii may be able to qualify for a grant through LIHEAP. The program helps people pay for their heating and cooling bills. They assist by providing a one-time grant to help pay your bill. They also have an Energy Credit program, where they help people pay their energy bills who are not in a crisis situation. The program runs each year from October 1 through September 30. To qualify for the program, you have to meet the low income requirements and be a citizen or legal alien. To apply for an energy grant, click here.
Lifeline – Those who need help paying for their phone bill in Hawaii may qualify for a Lifeline grant. The Lifeline program helps people to have a phone by giving them a free mobile or land line phone. In order to qualify, you have to meet the low income requirements. The mobile phone that people receive includes free voice, text, local calls, voicemail, and data. To get more information on the Lifeline phone program, click here.
Hope Services Hawaii – This organization provides re-entry services for felons. Their program will help people be able to obtain transitional housing. Felons who need help with housing should contact the organization to inquire about their services. To learn more, click here.
In addition to the programs listed above, be sure to check with local churches and non-profit organizations. Many of these places offer programs to help people in need. Some of the services they will help provide include food, clothing, bill paying, transportation vouchers, and more. Most of these programs do not require you to pass strict requirements. The programs are usually open to those who say they need help.
