This guide lists grants for felons in Kansas City, you can apply for today. Whether you’re rebuilding after incarceration or still struggling to find work, these programs offer financial support for food, housing, school, and job training.
Housing Grants For Felons in Kansas City
Housing is usually the biggest hurdle after incarceration. These grants available in Kansas can help cover rent, utilities, or move-in costs.
Emergency Solutions Grant
The Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program funds essential housing resources for felons in Kansas City.
From shelter beds and short term housing, to security deposits and rent assistance for longer term stability, the ESG offers a lifeline to felons who need help with housing.
To benefit from this funding, contact the Community Action Agency for your county.
Find your CAA: https://kshousingcorp.org/housing-partners/community-solutions/
Public Housing & Section 8 Programs
Low income felons may qualify for federally funded rent assistance grants in Kansas City. The program covers 2 types of rent assistance.
Public Housing – Public housing is housing owned and operated by the Housing Authority of Kansas City.
Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) – The HCV program provides a monthly payment that helps you cover rent when you lease a house or apartment from a private landlord.
Felons are eligible for rent assistance in Kansas City if they meet income guidelines and don’t have any violence or drug charges in the last 3 years.
Learn about housing grants in Kansas: https://www.hakc.org/how-to-apply
LIEHEAP Grant
The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program helps Kansas City residents pay for heating. If you’re struggling to pay your bill, you can apply for a grant. If you’re eligible, a one-time payment will be made directly to your energy supplier.
Heating Grant Kansas City: https://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pages/EnergyAssistance.aspx
Basic Needs Kansas City Grants
These benefit programs and free grants in Kansas cover food, medical care, and emergency cash.
Kansas Food Assistance (SNAP)
Low-income felons are eligible for monthly food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The amount you qualify for depends on your income and household size.
Kansas grants for individuals: A single person with net income below $1255 per month (after deductions for allowable expenses like rent and utilities) can qualify for up to $292 per month.
Kansas grants for families: SNAP grants for families start at $536 per month for a 2-person household, and increase for each additional family member.
Kansas City Food grants: https://www.dcf.ks.gov/Pages/default.aspx
Successful Families Program (TANF)
The Successful Families Program in Kansas gives monthly cash grants to needy families on very low incomes with children under age 18.
Cash assistance is limited to 24 months, but may be extended to 36 months under a hardship extension.
The program also provides access to job training to help you get a job that will pay your bills.
Find out if you qualify for cash assistance: https://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/pages/cash/tanf.aspx
Free & Low Cost Medical Care
Felons who meet the eligibility criteria can receive free medical care in Kansas City via the KanCare program: https://www.kancare.ks.gov/apply-now/eligibility
If you aren’t eligible for KanCare, free and sliding scale health care is available through the free clinic network.
The JayDoc free clinic provides free, non-urgent medical care to residents in the Greater Kansas City area. Opens Mondays and Wednesdays at 4:45 PM.
Address: 340 Southwest Boulevard, Kansas City.
Website: https://www.kumc.edu/school-of-medicine/patient-care/student-run-clinics/jaydoc-free-clinic.html
Find more free clinics in Kansas City at: https://freeclinicdirectory.org/kansas_care/kansas_city_ks_city.html
Modest Needs Grants
A Modest Needs grant can help you deal with minor emergencies like a car repair you can’t afford, or major emergencies like a serious illness in your family.
Are Modest Needs grants open to felons? Yes, your felony won’t be part of the decision-making process, but at least one member of your household should be employed.
Find out if you’re eligible for a Modest Needs grant: https://www.modestneeds.org/mn/for-applicants
See Also: Personal Grants For Felons in Colorado
Kansas 2-1-1
The free 2-1-1 helpline connects Kansas residents with local charities and non-profits currently offering free grants in Kansas for basic needs. The helpline can also connect with you free food pantries, clothing, personal care items, and household goods like furniture and kitchen equipment.
The 2-1-1 helpline is a valuable resource for felons. In Kansas City, helpline navigators were able to meet 91% of callers needs in 2024, so there’s a good chance they can help you too.
Some resources are also available on their website: https://search.unitedwaygkc.org/
Grants Available In Kansas For Education
Felons planning to study for a degree, vocational certification, or trade license are eligible for grants that help cover school fees. Your criminal history will not disqualify you. These are free grants in Kansas – you won’t have to pay a fee to apply.
- Federal Pell Grant – This income based grant pays up to $7,400 per year.
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) – Students with exceptional financial need can receive up to $4,000 per year (on top of the Pell Grant).
Learn more about federal grants: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types
- Kansas Comprehensive Grant – Funded by the state of Kansas, this grant awards between $200 – $10,000 to students with financial need. Because of funding limitations, only one third of eligible students actually receive funding.
- Kansas Adult Learner Grant – Felons 25 and older in Kansas City can apply for this grant if they study for a bachelor’s degree in one of the listed fields, like information technology or data analytics. The grant awards up to $3,000 per semester.
Learn about Kansas State grants: https://www.kansasregents.gov/scholarships_and_grants
Kansas Job Training & Employment Grants
These Kansas grants for individuals looking to train for new careers, help pay for training, tools, certifications, and more.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Training Grants
Felons are one of the key groups WIOA grants are designed to help. You won’t receive cash in your pocket, but once you join a WIOA program, you can access training for a wide range of jobs.
Paid on the job training may be available, and the program can fully cover the cost of trade school programs that result in licensing or certification.
Your local Kansas Workforce center is your point of contact for all WIOA programs.
In Kansas City you can visit the Wyandotte County Workforce Center at 626 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, or check their website for more information: https://workforcepartnership.com/