Are there any grants for felons in New Jersey? Yes. Felons can qualify for several grant and financial assistance programs. Take a look at our resource guide to find out what help you can get.
Programs And Basic Needs Grants For Felons in New Jersey
A felony won’t stop you from getting most forms of financial support (rent assistance excluded) because background checks aren’t part of the application process.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP gives you money to buy food each month. The amount you get depends on your income and family size. A single person earning less than $2,321 per month can get up to $292.
Learn more Here.
Work First New Jersey
Low-income felons with children may be eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Unlike SNAP which can only be spent on food, cash assistance can be used for any expenses.
A family of 3 with an income under $839 per month can receive up to $559.
New Jersey also gives General Assistance (GA) to adults without children. A single person making less than $278 will qualify.
Assistance is limited to a lifetime total of 60 months.
Learn more Here.
LIHEAP Energy Assistance
LIHEAP helps low-income households pay for heating. The monthly income limit for a single-person household is $3,991.
The amount you qualify for will be between $118.00 and $1,278.00. A separate winter crisis payment is also available.
Learn more: https://www.nj.gov/dca/dhcr/offices/hea.shtml
Lifeline Free Phone Service
If you’re on a low income, or already receiving benefits like SNAP, Medicaid, and Public Housing Assistance you can get free mobile phone service with unlimited calls and texts and 4.5 GB data per month. Some Lifeline plans also include a free cell phone.
The annual income limit for a single-person household is $20,331.
Learn more Here.
Rent Assistance
Felons on a low income may qualify for the rent assistance program commonly known as Section 8. To qualify you’ll need to meet the income limits for your household size and pass a background check. Income limits depend on the county you live in.
Once you qualify for rent assistance, you’ll only be responsible for paying a portion of your rent (maximum 30% of your income).
Click Here to learn more.
Social Service For The Homeless (SSH)
Homeless felons and felons in insecure housing situations can get help through the SSH program which provides:
- Emergency food and shelter
- Payment of security and utility deposits
- Payment of back rent, mortgage, and utility costs
Call the free 2-1-1 helpline 24/7 to connect with the program.
Are There New Jersey Grants For Felons Without Health Insurance?
Yes. Felons in New Jersey may be eligible for free and low-cost healthcare services.
NJ FamilyCare
Provides free or low-cost health cover to residents without employer health insurance.
Adults aged 19-64 with monthly income below $1,732 ( single) or $2,351 (couple) can get cover for doctor visits, hospitalization, vision, dental, prescriptions, lab tests, screenings, and more.
Learn more: https://njfamilycare.dhs.state.nj.us/whatisit.aspx
Free Clinics New Jersey
Free clinics provide consultations and treatments to low-income and uninsured New Jersey residents.
Find your nearest free clinic: https://www.freeclinics.com/sta/new_jersey
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC)
FQHCs provide healthcare to uninsured residents, charging for services on a sliding scale based on your ability to pay. No one is ever turned away.
Find your nearest health center Here.
Employment Grants For Felons In NJ
Use these programs to improve your employment prospects.
Federal Bonding Program
The Federal Bonding program covers felons with a free insurance policy, ensuring employers can hire you secure in the knowledge they aren’t risking a financial loss.
Aimed at helping hard-to-place job seekers, the program provides cover worth $5,000 to $25,000.
Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)
The WOTC is another program that helps you get a job. Employers that hire a “qualified” felon can get a tax credit worth up to 40% of your first year’s wages.
A qualified felon is a person convicted of a felony in the last year or a felon released from prison within the last year.
Ask your One Stop Career Center for a WOTC letter of introduction to help employers understand the savings they can make if they hire you (most small businesses don’t know about this tax break).
Workforce Innovation And Opportunity Act (WIOA)
The WIOA provides the training and support felons need to reenter the workforce and earn higher wages.
Training: Felons can receive funding to join approved programs and get a certification, license, or degree.
Employment Assistance: Customized help available to job seekers with a felony includes the creation of a job development plan, resume review, mock interviews and workshops, and job placement support.
Click Here to learn more.
SkillUp New Jersey
Access over 5,000 free online courses designed to help you develop high-demand skills including:
- Information technology
- Business analysis
- Customer service
- Project management
- Leadership skills
- Health and safety, and first aid
Sign up Here.
New Jersey Education Grants For Felons
Pell Grants: Low-income students (felons included) can get up to $7,395 per year to help pay for college or trade school.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): Felons with exceptional financial need may get up to $4,000 per year. Funding for this grant is limited so apply early.
Learn more: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants
New Jersey College Promise: Provides free tuition at New Jersey community colleges for students with incomes up to $65,000.
Click Here to learn more.
New Jersey Tuition Aid Grant: This needs-based grant awards up to $9,496 to full-time students at state colleges. Part-time students at county colleges can receive up to $1,161.
Click Here to learn more.
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