Grants For Felons in Florida

Are there grants for felons in Florida? How much money can you get, and what types of expenses can you get help with?

Florida felons can benefit from a wide range of free reentry services and from grants and benefit programs designed to help low-income households afford basic needs. The amount you can get depends on your income and the number of people in your household.

Reentry Grants For Felons in Florida 2026 Updated

Reentry grants are mainly used to fund the services provided by reentry organizations, but small grants may be offered to individuals who reach certain milestones on their reentry program.

Support from reentry providers is designed to give felons all the tools they need to establish successful, independent living. For example:

Project 180 offers former offenders returning to Sarasota and DeSoto County a 2-year residential program in clean and sober housing with job training, employment assistance, help to pay fines, support from community partners, and much more.

Learn more: https://www.project180reentry.org/portfolio-item/residential-program/

Operation New Hope with locations in Jacksonville, Orlando, Space Coast, St. Augustine, St. Pete, and Tampa runs the Ready4Work program with a new intake every Monday. Services include:

• Job training and job placement with local partner employers
• Case management
• Daily lunch
• Bus passes
• Clothing
• Medical support
• Housing assistance
• $350 grant and other financial incentives

Learn more: https://operationnewhope.org/our-programs/ready4work

Search for other Florida reentry programs: https://floridayoungfoundation.org/second-chances

Grants To Buy Groceries

In Florida, felons are eligible for SNAP benefits. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program provides a payment every month that can only be spent on groceries.

The amount you get depends on your income and household size. Anyone you live and buy/make food with is counted as a member of your household.

To qualify, you’ll also need to meet the new work requirements that came in on February 1st 2026. Those aged 16-59 and able-bodied must work or attend work training for at least 80 hours a month.

Felons convicted of drug trafficking and offenders running from a felony warrant are not eligible for SNAP in Florida.

Florida SNAP Income Limits And Benefit Amounts (2026)

Household Size	Gross Income Limit	Maximum Monthly Payment
1 person	$2,610 / month	$298
2 people	$3,526 / month	$546
3 people	$4,442 / month	$785
4 people	$5,360 / month	$994
5 people	$6,276 / month	$1,183

Florida SNAP: https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/public-assistance/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap

Florida Cash Grants Felons Can Qualify For

Parents or caregivers of dependent children under 19 may be eligible for the Temporary Cash Assistance program. TCA is also available to women unable to work in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and to pregnant women during their 9th month.

To qualify, your gross household income minus a $90 earned income deduction must be under 185% of the federal poverty level for your household size. Your countable income, which is your gross income minus allowable expenses for things like housing, utilities, and child care, must also fall within program limits.

All work able TCA recipients are required to register for work or participate in work related activities and training.

Florida TCA Countable Income Limits And Benefit Amounts (2026)

Household Size	Countable Income Limit	Maximum Payment
1 person	$180 / month	$180 / month
2 people	$241 / month	$241 / month
3 people	$303 / month	$303  / month
4 people	$364 / month	$364 / month
5 people	$426 / month	$426 / month

Apply for TCA: https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/public-assistance/temporary-cash-assistance

Does Florida Have General Assistance Grants?

No, there isn’t a statewide program that gives monthly cash grants to adults without children. However, some county level programs offer emergency cash assistance to adults with no or

very low income.

To find out if your county offers emergency assistance grants, check with your local Community Action Agency. Call the free 2-1-1 helpline to get connected.

How To Get A Grant To Pay For Utilities In Florida

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income households pay their energy bills. Grants are available to help with heating bills, cooling costs, and emergencies like a shut-off notice for non-payment.

To qualify, your income must be within the income limit for your household size. Your felony won’t prevent you from qualifying for LIHEAP grants.

• Heating grants range from $400 to $1,350 / year
• Cooling grants range from $400 to $1,350 / year
• Crisis grants pay a maximum of $2,000 / year

LIHEAP Income Limits For Florida (2026)

Household Size	LIHEAP Gross Income Limit
1 person	$2,679 / month
2 people	$3,504 / month
3 people	$4,328 / month
4 people	$5,153 / month
5 people	$5,977 / month

Apply for LIHEAP grants: https://liheapch.acf.gov/search-tool/state-territory/

Housing Grants For Felons In Florida

Rapid Rehousing Grants

Homeless felons may be able to get housing through the Rapid Rehousing program. Unlike many housing programs, Rapid Rehousing won’t disqualify you because of your felony or any substance use you’re struggling with.

Eligibility for Rapid Rehousing is based on a needs assessment carried by a caseworker. If you’re eligible, your caseworker will help you find housing and fund move in costs and rent for a limited period.

Contact your local Community Action Agency, or call the free 2-1-1 helpline to find your local program.

Housing Choice Voucher Program

The HCV program provides monthly rent assistance to qualifying low-income households. The program allows participants to live in government owned housing or rent from the private market. The portion of the rent you’re expected to pay is capped at 30% of your adjusted income.

Unfortunately, demand for rent assistance is very high and funding isn’t available for everyone who qualifies. Most local Public Housing agencies (PHA’s) operate waiting lists, so it’s best to apply right away and get on a list as soon as you can.

Your felony could disqualify you from rent assistance programs. Each PHA sets their own criminal background criteria and the length of disqualification for each type of offense. The only offenses which are permanently disqualifying at every PHA are:

• Manufacturing methamphetamine on the premises of public housing
• Convictions requiring lifetime registration as a sex offender

Find your PHA: https://www.hud.gov/contactus/public-housing-contacts

Modest Needs Grants

Working felons can qualify for a grant from the Modest Needs charity, which issues grants to low-income individuals and families. To qualify, you must have a short term financial need like a car repair or medical bill.

Average grants are between $750 to $1,250 and depend on the amount of the expense you need to pay.

Learn more and apply online: https://www.modestneeds.org/mn/for-applicants/grants/self-sufficiency-grants

Grants For Education And Training After A Felony

Many felons take advantage of grant funding to get a degree or trade certification. Upgrading your skills is the best route towards financial independence and stability.

• Federal Pell Grant: Low-income students receive grants worth up to $7,395 per year
• FSEOG: Students with exceptional financial need are eligible for a grant worth up to $4,000 per year, but grants are limited so apply early
• Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG): Maximum amount of $3,260 per academic year
• First Generation Matching Grant (FGMG): Needs based grant for students whose parents have not obtained a bachelor’s degree. Amount varies by school
• Florida Work Experience Program (FWEP): Provides grant aid through paid work experience related to a student’s career. Grant amount depends on financial need and wages earned

Eligibility for grants is determined by the information you supply on your FAFSA application.

Learn more: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants

Workforce Innovation And Opportunity Act

The WIOA funds a federal program that pays for:

• Job training and certification programs
• Trade school or short-term college programs
• Paid on-the-job training
• Career counseling, résumé help, interview preparation
• Tools, uniforms, testing fees, or transportation help

Your felony won’t be a barrier to qualifying for help from the WIOA, and employers partnered with the program are more focused on skills, certification, and hands-on experience than criminal history.

Talk to a counselor at your nearest American Job Center: https://www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/AmericanJobCenters/find-american-job-centers.aspx?location=Florida

Related: Grants For Felons in California