Virginia offers several grants and programs to help felons get back on track. From assistance with food, housing, and energy bills to healthcare coverage, education funding, and even free phone service, there’s a wide range of resources and grants for felons in Virginia.
Reentry Grants For Felons in Virginia 2025
Felons who need financial support are eligible for several income-based government benefit programs. Felons can also get help from dedicated reentry services which assist with employment, housing, mental health and addiction counseling, and offer general support.
To find reentry programs in your area call the free 2-1-1 helpline.
Grants To Help Pay For Basic Needs In Virginia
Benefits and free grants in Virginia are available to anyone with a low income. Having a felony isn’t a disqualifying consideration for these programs.
SNAP Grants For Felons
Felons can get help to buy food from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Also known as food stamps, SNAP provides a monthly food grant through an electronic debit card.
Once approved, you’ll receive a SNAP card loaded with funds each month. You can use it at grocery stores or farmers’ markets to buy food. The amount you’ll get depends on your income and family size.
In Virginia, a single person making less than $2,510 per month can get up to $292 each month.
How much can you get: https://www.snapscreener.com/screener/virginia
Temporary Assistance For Needy Families
TANF pays a monthly cash grant to low-income families with minor children. Assistance is limited to 60 months in a lifetime.
The amount you’ll get depends on your income and family size. Unlike SNAP which can only be spent on food, you can use TANF cash to buy whatever you need.
Health Insurance For Low-Income Felons
Felons can qualify for Medicaid or Medicare. Both programs provide free or low-cost health insurance that pays for most medical expenses, including doctor visits, emergency care, prescription drugs, vision care, and dental work.
Free Phone Service For Low-Income Felons
Free grants in Virginia fund the free Lifeline phone service. The qualifying income limit is based on your household size—a single-person household with an income below $20,331 will qualify. The free plan gives you unlimited calls and texts, plus 4.5 GB of data per month.
LIHEAP Utility Bill Assistance
The LIHEAP program in Virginia helps you afford your energy bills. This program offers heating and cooling grants to individuals, including felons, with low incomes.
LIHEAP eligibility is income-based and you need to reapply each year. The program also provides a crisis payment if you’re facing a utility shut-off.
Can Felons Get Rent Assistance in Virginia?
Felons who meet the income limits for the Housing Choice Voucher Program and Public Housing Program may qualify for rent assistance. If you qualify you won’t have to spend more than 30% of your income on housing.
Before you’ll be approved for these housing programs, all adults in your household need to pass a criminal background check.
Having a felony doesn’t mean you won’t be approved. Housing authorities consider the type of crime you committed, its age, and your recent conduct and rehabilitation efforts.
Hardship Grants in Virginia
When you have no other resources, hardship grants in Virginia offer last-resort funding. General Relief grants can give you money for medical and dental expenses, burial costs, and temporary assistance.
Learn more HERE.
Modest Needs Grants
Modest Needs grants help workers cope with the financial hardship caused by a crisis like illness or unemployment.
These Virginia grants for individuals can also pay for unexpected expenses like a car repair or the cost of a new home appliance.
Learn more about hardship grants in Virginia.
Are There Grants Felons Can Get To Pay For College?
Yes, felons can get significant grants to help pay for college or trade school. Recent changes to federal law removed the barriers that used to make felons ineligible for financial aid.
Pell Grants: All students who meet the eligibility criteria will receive Pell Grant funding. The amount you’ll get depends on your income and your cost of attending school. The maximum you can get each year is $7,395.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant: The FSEOG is worth up to $4,000 per year.
Students with exceptional financial need should apply early because funding for this grant is limited and awards are given on a first come first served basis.
Virginia Grants For Individuals Going Back to School
Virginia Commonwealth Awards: This grant is given to needy students who don’t qualify for the Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program.
If you qualify you can receive up to $9,000 per year. Felons under 24, classed as dependent students may qualify for the VGAP.
Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program: If you’re classed as a dependent student, this grant covers the full cost of in-state tuition for 4 years plus an amount for books. Find out if you’re a dependent student HERE.
Learn more HERE.
Employment Grants For Felons
Get help to reenter the workforce by joining a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act program. The WIOA offers plenty of resources to help felons build a stable career. Programs offer job training, education and certifications, and job placements with felon-friendly employers.
Click Here to learn more.
How Does The Work Opportunity Tax Credit Help Felons?
The WOTC is a financial incentive given to employers who hire felons and other workers facing barriers to employment.
Employers in the program get a tax credit worth up to 40% of your first year’s wages, meaning it’s beneficial to hire a felon over a regular job applicant.
Get a letter of introduction from your Job Center to give to employers so they understand the benefit they get from hiring you.
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