While there may be many jobs around the country, a good percentage of them are low paying ones. This makes it difficult for felons to earn enough money to make ends meet. Felons who have a low income may find it challenging to pay for such things as housing and healthcare. The good news is that there are low income financial assistance programs for felons. The programs will help ensure basic needs are met while trying to improve your situation.
The low income financial assistance programs for felons are designed to give grants. The grants, unlike loans, do not ever have to be paid back. Grants are considered to be like gifts. They are given to felons to help them while they are trying to become more self sufficient. There are financial assistance programs that will help with everything from food and paying rent to healthcare expenses and obtaining food.
Low Income Financial Assistance Programs for Felons
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – This program is federally funded and provides monthly cash grants to felons who need assistance. The qualifications for this program do require that you have at least one minor child you are providing care for. Some states do offer a General Assistant program, which is a similar program that does not require applicants to have any minor children they are caring for. To qualify for this program you have to meet the low income guidelines and be a legal citizen. Some states require that you participate in work programs in order to receive the financial assistance. TANF programs are managed through state and local social services offices. To more information about TANF, click here.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – Felons who need help obtaining food may qualify for help through SNAP. This low income financial assistance program will provide felons who qualify with a monthly grant that can be used to purchase food. The grant is electronically added to a debit card each month. The card can be used at the grocery store and many farmers markets to pay for food items. There are some restrictions on what the funds can be used for, but all fresh and packaged foods can be purchased with the financial assistance. This program is run through your local social services offices. To learn more about SNAP, click here.
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – This program provides low income financial assistance programs for felons to help with meeting housing needs. Felons who need help paying for rent, avoiding foreclosure, or purchasing a home may be able to get assistance from HUD. They also offer weatherization services, which will help to make your home more energy efficient, which will reduce your monthly utility bills. HUD programs include Section 8, which offers public housing units and a voucher program to help meet the housing needs of low income felons. To get more information about HUD programs, click here.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – This low income financial assistance program for felons will help pay for energy bills. The program is federally funded and will generally pay for one energy bill per year for those who qualify. To qualify for the financial assistance, you have to have a low income and be the person who is responsible for paying the energy bill. LIHEAP also offers weatherization services that will help to reduce your monthly energy bills. They do also offer emergency financial assistance for those who have received a shutoff notice. To learn more about LIHEAP, click here.
Medicaid – Felons who need help paying for their healthcare may qualify for Medicaid. This low income financial assistance program for felons is federally funded. Felons who qualify will receive free healthcare. Medicaid will pay for emergency care, doctor visits, prescription drugs, dental work, substance abuse treatment, and more. This program is managed by local social services offices. To qualify for Medicaid, you have to be a legal citizen and meet the low income guidelines. To learn more about Medicaid financial assistance, click here.
Social Services – Most low income financial assistance programs for felons are managed through local social services offices. Felons should contact their local social services office to see what programs are available, what the qualifications are, and how to apply for them. The programs will help with providing felons with meeting their basic needs, including helping to pay for food, rent, healthcare, childcare, and more. To find your local social services agency, click here.
In addition to the above low income financial assistance programs for felons, contact your local churches and non-profit organizations. Most of them provide programs that will help by providing hot meals, boxes of food, transportation vouchers, bill paying assistance, counseling services, and more. Plus, they do not usually have strict qualification requirements in order to receive the assistance.
