When you’re trying to rebuild your life you need all the help you can get. Financial assistance programs and grants for felons in Florida are a vital lifeline that can help you make a fresh start.
Understanding Financial Assistance And Grants For Felons in Florida
Grants are financial aid that you don’t need to repay. In Florida, low-income felons are eligible for many public grants and aid programs. Grants and benefits can help you cover expenses like:
- Paying energy bills
- Handling emergency expenses
- Finding affordable housing
- Pursuing education & job training
Some types of financial assistance for released prisoners in Florida focus on getting you emergency help while others provide longer-term assistance.
Government Grants
Government grants fund numerous programs for felons in Florida that provide employment, housing, training, and other vital resources.
Some of these programs may also issue small grants to felons to help with immediate needs.
Local reentry organizations, Continuum of Care agencies (CoC), and job centers will help you access programs and resources for felons. Call the United Way on 2-1-1 for more information.
Florida COCs: https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/public-assistance/homelessness
Find job centers: https://www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/AmericanJobCenters/find-american-job-centers.aspx
5 Popular Florida Grants
These free money for released inmates in Florida programs provide some basic support, helping to cover food, utility bills, and other living expenses.
#1 Temporary Cash Assistance Grants
Low-income felons with one or more children under 18 may qualify for this grant.
Pregnant women can also qualify in the 9th month of pregnancy or if they’re unable to work in their third trimester.
The amount you’ll get depends on your family size and income. As an example, a family of 3 can get up to $303 per month. Assistance is limited to 48 months.
Learn more: https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/public-assistance/temporary-cash-assistance
#2 Emergency Florida Grants
If you’re facing an emergency or can’t pay your bills, a Modest Needs grant can help you get through difficult times.
The amount you’ll get depends on your situation but average grants tend to be between $750 and $1,250.
Florida Cash grants: https://www.modestneeds.org/
#3 Florida SNAP Grants
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program gives low-income Floridians a monthly grant to buy food. Felons who meet the income limit requirements will qualify for SNAP, and your criminal background won’t generally be an issue.
These benefits for released inmates in Florida are not available to felons with convictions for drug trafficking or an outstanding felony arrest warrant.
Each month grant money will be loaded onto your EBT card for you to spend on groceries.
SNAP benefits for released inmates in Florida: https://www.snapscreener.com/screener/florida
#4 LIHEAP Energy Assistance Grants
The Florida Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) issues cash and
crisis grants to low-income applicants who need help paying their energy bills.
Felons can apply for annual heating and cooling grants worth up to $1,350. If you’re at risk of losing your utility service, you could qualify for up to $5,000 in emergency grant funding to cover your utility debt.
Income limits apply to LIHEAP grants but you’ll automatically qualify if you’re already receiving SNAP, TCA, or SSI benefits.
See income limits: https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/1553
Apply for LIHEAP grants: www.FloridaJobs.org/LIHEAPHelp
#5 Get A Grant To Pay For Cell Phone Service
Another grant program Florida felons can qualify for is free cell phone service from Life Wireless. You could even be eligible for a free cell phone.
Life Wireless gives you free calls and texts plus 4.5 GB of data a month. Income limits apply—as an example, a single-person household making under $20,331 will qualify for the grant. If you receive benefits like SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or Section 8, you’ll automatically qualify.
Check other income limits: https://lifewireless.com/plans/florida-lifeline-free-phone-service
Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) Grant For Felons
This grant helps felons in Florida get jobs. While these help for felons in Florida aren’t given directly to individuals, the WOTC gives employers a tax credit of up to $9,600 for hiring eligible employees.
The list of eligible employees includes ex-felons, meaning businesses in Florida have a financial incentive to hire felons.
Education Grants in Florida for Felons
Education grants give financial help to felons in Florida who want to pursue higher education or vocational training.
These grants help you afford tuition, textbooks, and other educational expenses, making it easier to access quality education and improve your career prospects.
Pell Grants
Thanks to a recent change in the law, felons can now apply for federal Pell Grants. Pell Grants help you pay for college or trade school. You’ll need a high school diploma or GED to qualify for a Pell Grant.
If you qualify, the annual grant is available for up to 12 semesters. The amount you’ll get depends on your income and the cost of your course—the maximum award is $7,395 for 2024-2025.
Having a felony on your record won’t affect your chances of qualifying for a Pell Grant unless you’ve been convicted of certain drug or sex offenses.
Learn more: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Felons may qualify for an FSEOG of up to $4,000 per year. This grant is distributed through colleges and trade schools to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need.
Funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Apply early for the best chance of securing a grant.
Learn more: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/fseog
Florida State Grants & Scholarships
The state government funds several grants to help make school more affordable. Grants felons can apply for include the:
- Effective Access to Student Education Grant
- First Generation Matching Grant
- Florida Student Assistance Grant
- Bright Futures Scholarship
- Florida Work Experience Program
Learn more: https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/SAPHome/SAPHome?url=home
SNAP Grants For School
Some students will qualify for SNAP grants to pay for food while they study for a degree or trade certification.
Eligibility for SNAP during your studies isn’t only tied to your income. Check the link below to find out if you could qualify.
Learn more: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/ihe-student-eligibility-rules
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