Along with financial assistance for basic needs, grants for felons in Georgia provide money to help with the costs of studying for a degree or trade certification. Grants are also available to help you start a small business.
How To Get Grants For Felons in Georgia 2025
Most financial assistance for released prisoners and felons in Georgia is provided through government-funded initiatives and federal and state benefit programs.
A felony isn’t a barrier to accessing most forms of financial aid (rent assistance excluded) because a background check isn’t part of the application process.
Related Article: Grants in Florida for Felons to Start a Business.
Financial Assistance For Released Prisoners In Georgia
Felons and released prisoners are eligible to apply for benefit programs that help pay for basic needs. These programs are designed to help low-income individuals and families pay for food, utilities, and rent:
SNAP Grants in Georgia
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) gives eligible households a monthly grant that helps pay for groceries. The amount you’ll get depends on your household size, income, and assets.
SNAP calculator: https://www.snapscreener.com/screener/georgia
Apply: https://georgia.gov/georgia-snap-benefits
Can Felons Get TANF In Georgia?
Yes, felons meeting the other eligibility requirements can qualify for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits.
To qualify for TANF, you’ll need to meet the income limits, have a child under 18, and fulfill the work requirement (participate in work activities and training for at least 30 hours a week). In Georgia, TANF has a lifetime limit of 48 months.
Can Felons Get Help Paying Rent In Georgia?
The main rent assistance programs in Georgia are the Housing Choice Voucher program (HCV) and the Project Based Housing program.
These programs are for low-income households. Waiting lists are common so rent assistance won’t be available right away. You’ll also need to pass a background check but a felony won’t automatically disqualify you.
Once you’re accepted into a housing program, you’ll only be responsible for paying a portion of your rent (maximum 30% of your income).
Grants For Homeless Felons In Georgia
Homeless felons can get emergency housing through Georgia’s Continuum of Care (COC) network. Your local COC intake team will assess your housing needs and help you find a place to live. You could qualify for Rapid Rehousing services which give you priority access to safe, stable housing.
These services are funded by Georgia’s Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)
Contact your COC: https://dca.georgia.gov/affordable-housing/homelessness-assistance/georgia-balance-state-continuum-care/i-am-homeless-and
Georgia Utility Bill Grants
Low-income felons may qualify for a Georgia LIHEAP grant to help pay for winter heat and summer cooling.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance program also provides energy crisis assistance to prevent utility shutoffs and low-cost residential weatherization assistance to make homes more energy efficient.
Other help with energy bills may be available from:
The United Way: call 2-1-1
The Salvation Army: call 404.873.3101
Learn more: https://dfcs.georgia.gov/services/low-income-home-energy-assistance-program-liheap
Georgia Grants For Free Phone Service
Lifeline grants fund free and low-cost phone and internet service plans. Through the Life Wireless plan, you can get unlimited free calls and texts plus 4.5 GB of data each month.
Unless you’re already getting Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, Public Housing Assistance, Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension, or Tribal Eligibility Program benefits, income limits apply.
For 2024 the annual income limit for a single-person household is $20,331.
Modest Needs Grants
Modest Needs helps those in financial distress with sudden expenses like rent or medical bills. Tailored for working individuals who don’t qualify for other assistance, these grants don’t require repayment and help prevent long-term hardship.
Education Grants in Georgia for Felons
Recent changes to federal law have made felons eligible for student financial aid programs. In addition to federal student loans, felons on a low income can apply for:
Pell Grants: Grants up to $7,395 per year help you pay for college or trade school. The amount you’ll get depends on your income and your cost of attending school.
FSEOG: Students with exceptional financial need may get a Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. The maximum you can get is $4,000 per year. Funding for this grant is limited so apply early.
Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant Program (GTEG): This is a non-needs-based grant available to full-time students attending eligible private colleges in Georgia. Amount $550 per semester.
For more information visit their Website HERE
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA): Felons can participate in job training programs and educational opportunities funded by the WIOA.
Hope Career Grant
The Hope Career Grant pairs with the Hope Grant to provide free tuition for eligible vocational training programs. This is a great opportunity for felons in Georgia to train for in-demand careers in:
- Automotive Technology
- Aviation Technology
- Certified Engineer Assistant
- Commercial Truck Driving (CDL)
- Computer Programming
- Computer Technology
- Construction Technology
- Diesel Equipment Technology
- Early Childhood Care and Education
- Electrical Lineman Technology
- Health Science
- Industrial Maintenance
- Logistics/Transportation Technology
- Movie Production Set Design
- Practical Nursing
- Precision Manufacturing
- Welding and Joining Technology
- Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice
Read and lear more: https://www.tcsg.edu/free-tuition/
Georgia Small Businesses Grants
Your local Small Business Development Center (SBDC) holds details about the grants available for starting a small business. Your advisor will also help you apply for funding available from Georgia’s Regional Commissions.
Georgia Reentry Program For Felons
The Center For Employment Opportunities (CEO) runs a reentry program that gets ex-offenders in Georgia into high-paying jobs.
The training program includes paid employment with daily pay, career coaching, skills training, and mentoring and support
Join the program: https://www.ceoworks.org/participants
See This: Grants For Felons in Illinois