Grants For Felons in Georgia

Most financial assistance for released prisoners and felons in Georgia comes from government programs designed to help people on low incomes. Felons can also benefit from reentry programs which provide case management, mentorship, and grants to pay for training and initial housing costs.

Food Grants For Felons in Georgia

If you’re on a low income or have no income at all, you can qualify for SNAP (Food Stamps). The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program issues a payment once a month on a debit card you use to buy groceries.

If you live on your own with an income under $1,631/month, you could get up to $292/month. Couples and families have higher income limits and monthly benefit amounts.

Your Electronic Benefits Card (EBT) also gets you discounted transit fares in some cities.

Check how much you could get: https://www.snapscreener.com/screener/georgia

Temporary Assistance For Needy Families (TANF)

This monthly cash assistance grant is for families with children under 18 living at home. The income limits are very low, so this grant is harder to qualify for.

For example, a parent with 2 children must have a gross income below $784 a month. The maximum payment for 2 children is $280/month.

Apply for TANF: https://dfcs.georgia.gov/services/temporary-assistance-needy-families

Housing Assistance Programs In Georgia

Felons struggling to afford housing in Georgia, can qualify for support. Unhoused felons can contact the Rapid Rehousing agency in their city or county. For longer term housing support, felons should apply to the Housing Choice Voucher Program.

Rapid Rehousing

Rapid Rehousing works on a housing first basis, meaning your felony won’t count against you and there’s no sobriety requirement.

Funded by the Emergency Solutions Grant, Rapid Rehousing programs pay move in costs like security and utility deposits and also cover rent for a few months.

If you’re in Atlanta, reach out to Georgia Harm Reduction, otherwise call the free 2-1-1 helpline to get a referral to your local program.

Georgia Harm Reduction: https://georgiaharmreduction.org/rapid-re-housing-program/

Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV)

The HCV program helps low-income households afford housing. If you qualify for the program, the amount you have to pay for your rent is capped at 30% of your income, with the program covering the rest. That means if your income is $2,000/month, and your rent is $850/month, your rent contribution is capped at $600, saving you $250.

The HCV program runs a comprehensive background screening on all applicants, and your felony record may disqualify you. Passing the background check depends on the rules at your local public housing agency and the nature and age of your offense.

Demand for the HCV program in Georgia is very high and vouchers are limited. Most counties operate a waitlist that only opens for a few days each year. When the waitlist opens, you can apply.

Learn more: https://dca.georgia.gov/housing-choice-voucher/housing-choice-voucher

Grants For Utility Bills

Georgia’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income households pay for heating and cooling.

Income limits are based on household size. A single person household with an income under $2,753/month will qualify.

The main LIHEAP grant provides a heating payment and cooling payment each year you qualify. Payments are usually made directly to your energy provider, and the amount you get depends on your income.

• The maximum heating grant is $810
• The maximum cooling grant is $500

Crisis LIHEAP grants help households running out of fuel or facing a utility shutoff.

• The maximum winter crisis grant is $810
• The maximum summer crisis grant is $500

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

Free Cell Phone Plans

The government’s Lifeline program covers the cost of basic cell phone service for low-income households.

If you already get benefits like SNAP or TANF, you’ll automatically qualify, otherwise eligibility is based on income.

A single person household will qualify with an income under $1,760/month ($21,120/year).

Free plans include a minimum of 1000 minutes plus 4.5GB of data per month. Some providers offer unlimited calls and texts and higher data allowances.

Find a provider offering Lifeline: https://www.lifelinesupport.org/companies-near-me/

Free And Reduced Cost Health Insurance

Georgia’s Medicaid program provides health insurance to low-income residents who are:

• Pregnant women
• Children
• Over 65
• Blind or disabled
• Needing nursing home care

If you don’t meet any of those criteria, you may be eligible for Medicaid through Georgia Pathways to Coverage, which offers cover for residents aged 19-64 with income up to 100% of the federal poverty level.

For a single person that’s $15,650 per year or $1,304 on average per month.

To be eligible, you’ll also need to complete 80 hours of qualifying activity a month (employment, training, education, or community service).

Apply for Medicaid: https://gateway.ga.gov/access/

Modest Needs Grants

Modest Needs grants are for working people facing temporary financial hardship. Small grants averaging between $750 to $1,250 help to cover expenses like overdue rent, late utility bills, and medical bills not covered by insurance.

Apply for a Modest Needs grant: https://www.modestneeds.org/mn/for-applicants

Grants To Go Back To School

Everyone has heard about student loans, but you may not know about the grants that can pay for some or all of your college or trade school tuition.

The federal government provides 2 grants for low-income students. The Pell Grant worth up to $7,395 per year, and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) worth up to $4,000 per year.

Georgia also offers the HOPE grant, which pays for a maximum 63 semester hours. The actual amount you’ll get depends on your course.

For example, a student enrolling in a 30-semester-hour HVAC certificate program would get around $3,000 towards their tuition since the HOPE grant pays $100 per semester hour.

• Learn about federal grants: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell
• Learn about the HOPE grant: https://www.gafutures.org/hope-state-aid-programs/

Reentry Georgia Grants For Felons

Reentry grants are only available to felons participating in reentry programs. Grants may be available (depending on the program) for training or education, transportation, move in costs for an apartment, or addiction treatment.

Some reentry programs like the Faith Project in Atlanta provide housing and a full range of reentry services, others may only focus on employment or job training, so it’s important to find a program that matches your needs.

Faith Project: https://www.faithprojectatl.org/

To find reentry programs in your local area, call the free 2-1-1 helpline.

Related Post: Federal Grants For Felons in Michigan