Financial assistance programs and grants for felons in Missouri help individuals with felony convictions rebuild their lives, pursue education, and start new careers.
Felons on a low income are eligible for free grants in Missouri to help with the cost of food, education, utility bills, and housing.
SNAP Grants For Felons In Missouri
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program gives you a monthly grant to spend on groceries.
In Missouri, an individual earning less than $1,255 per month after taxes and deductions, with less than $3,000 in assets (excluding home and car) is eligible for a monthly payment of up to $292.
Income ceilings and payments are higher for families.
Check how much you could get: https://www.snapscreener.com/screener/missouri
Housing Grants Available In Missouri
Missouri’s Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program provides rental assistance to low-income individuals covering part of their rent for privately owned homes or apartments.
While felons are eligible, some types of convictions (like certain drug-related or violent offenses) may affect your eligibility. The rules vary depending on the public housing authority (PHA) you apply to.
Because demand for these grants is high, there can be a waiting list depending on your area.
Find your local PHA: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/pha/contacts
Help for homeless felons: https://www.endhomelessnessmo.org/
Reentry housing for felons: https://dmh.mo.gov/programs/housing/reentry
Grants For Utility Bills
Missouri Community Action Network agencies can help with grants for utility bill assistance if you’re struggling to pay your bills. These grants are needs-based and felons won’t face any criminal background checks.
Find your local agency: https://www.communityaction.co/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/20160111MissouriCommunityActionNetwork.pdf
Missouri LIHEAP
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) could help you cover your energy costs. The program is open to low-income households and felons with less than $3,000 in assets.
Learn more: https://mydss.mo.gov/utility-assistance/liheap
Missouri Grants For Education
Missouri grants for individuals looking to get a degree or trade certification include Pell Grants and Access Missouri grants. Unlike student loans, these grants do not have to be paid back.
Pell Grants
Federally funded Pell Grants provide financial aid for low-income students, including incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals. Pell Grants can be used to help pay for college or trade school.
For the 2024-2025 school year, the maximum grant is $7,395. You can apply to renew your grant each year you’re enrolled.
Learn more: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell
Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program
This program awards grants to eligible undergraduate students enrolled full-time at a participating Missouri school.
You’ll need a completed FAFSA showing an expected family contribution of less than $12,000.
How much you’ll get depends on your financial need and the type of school you attend.
- Public 2 Year school $300 – $1,300
- Public 4-Year school $1,500 – $2,850
Learn more: https://dhewd.mo.gov/ppc/grants-scholarships/access-mo
Missouri Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant
This grant helps you afford the cost of education and training needed to enter the workforce in fields that are in high demand.
Learn more: https://dhewd.mo.gov/initiatives/fast-track-workforce-incentive-grant
QUEST Welding Grant
Unemployed and underemployed felons in Missouri can train for welding careers thanks to funding provided by the QUEST grant.
Learn more: https://cwdregion.com/quest/
The QUEST grant also funds other career training opportunities in:
- Infrastructure
- Care Economy
- Hospitality
- Climate and Environment
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
- Education Services
Learn more: https://jobs.mo.gov/quest
Business Grants in Missouri for Felons
Felons in Kansas City, Missouri planning to start a business can apply for a Rise Up Get Started grant. The program for formerly incarcerated felons awards a limited number of grants each year worth $750.
In addition to the cash grant, felons take part in a year-long coaching and mentoring program that teaches essential business skills.
Learn more: https://determinationincorporated.com/
Inmates To Entrepreneurs Free Business Training
Inmates to Entrepreneurs offers a free online course for felons interested in starting a business. The 12-hour course teaches you everything you need to know to start, run, and grow your own business.
Take the course: https://inmatestoentrepreneurs.org/programs/online-course/
Free Bonding Grant For Felons
Felons in Missouri struggling to find work can benefit from free employment bonding. The bonding program insures employers against losses so they can feel more secure about taking a chance on employing felons.
Learn more: https://doc.mo.gov/programs/missouri-reentry-process/federal-bonding-work-opportunity-tax-credit
Grant Funded Reentry Programs For Felons
St Louis-based felons can join the grant-funded Beyond Justice program at Mission: St. Louis.
The Beyond Justice program helps with all aspects of reentry and rehabilitation. A sister program, Beyond Jobs, pairs felons with job coaches during a 4-week skills and job readiness program.
Beyond Jobs also works with Hire St. Louis to provide sustainable jobs and pathways to success.
Learn more: https://www.missionstl.org/beyondjustice
How Does Missouri’s Second Chance Grant Work?
Missouri’s Second Chance grant is funded by the U.S. Department of Justice. While these grants aren’t given to individuals, they do fund vital reentry and rehabilitation programs for felons.
So while you can’t get a cash payment, you can certainly benefit from the resources these grants deliver.
Related Posts: