Discover financial assistance programs and grants for felons in Michigan. Felons on a low income can qualify for help to buy food, pay rent, access healthcare, and afford utility bills.
Hardship Grants for Ex Felons in Michigan
SNAP Food Assistance
Michigan felons on a low income may qualify for a monthly payment to spend on groceries via the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Eligibility and payment amount depend on your income and household size.
As an example, a single person household with gross income less than $2510/month will qualify for a payment of up to $292/month.
Check how much you could get: https://www.snapscreener.com/guides/michigan
WIC Program
WIC helps parents with kids under 5 and pregnant women afford nutritious food like fruit, vegetables, cereals, bread and milk.
If you already qualify you SNAP, you’ll be eligible for WIC. Otherwise, your income needs to be within the program limits. A 2-person family is eligible with an income under $3,261/month.
Monthly benefits depend on how many qualifying family members you have. Background checks are not used, so your felony won’t be an issue.
Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/assistance-programs/wic
Michigan Family Independence Program (FIP)
Felons with at least 1 child under 18 can qualify for this monthly cash grant if they meet the program income limits.
A family of 3 with countable income under $814/month can get up to $492/month in cash assistance.
FIP is a temporary program, with assistance limited to a lifetime total of 48 months.
Apply for cash assistance here: https://newmibridges.michigan.gov/
Grants for Housing In Michigan
Learn about programs that help low income felons pay for rent and other housing costs.
Long-Term Financial Assistance For Housing
The main program that helps low income households pay rent is called the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8).
The contribution renters in the program have to make towards their rent is capped at 30% of adjusted monthly income (gross income minus allowable deductions).
For example, on an adjusted monthly income of $1,200, the portion of the rent the tenant is responsible for is $360 per month, with the voucher paying the rest.
Demand for rent assistance is very high and waiting lists are common, so it’s important to apply at your local Public Housing Authority as soon as you can.
Felons do have to pass a background check, but having a felony isn’t automatically disqualifying.
Find your Michigan housing authority here: https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PIH/documents/PHA_Contact_Report_MI.pdf
Help With Security Deposits, Rent, and Utilities
Felons currently homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, may qualify for assistance through Michigan Community Action Agencies (CAA).
Local CAA’s are often the entry point to the area’s Coordinated Entry System (CES) and Rapid Rehousing Program. These programs operate on a housing first model, that removes the barriers homeless people, including felons, often face.
Case managers arrange short term and permanent housing and can cover a security deposit, pay rent for a few months, and help with utility bills.
Find your CAA here: https://members.micommunityaction.org/directory
East Lansing Rent and Security Deposit Assistance
Felons in Eat Lansing can get up to $1,500 to pay for a security deposit or first month’s rent. The Successful Leasing Program is open to residents earning less than 80% of the area median income. For a single person household, that an annual income below $51,700.
Learn more: https://www.cityofeastlansing.com/2456/Current-CDBG-Programs
Housing Grants From Michigan Charities
Small grants to help with move in costs or cover overdue rent may be available from your local branch of the Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul, or Catholic Charities. Grants may also be available if you’re behind with your utility bills and facing a shutoff.
- Salvation Army: https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/greatlakes/
- St Vincent de Paul: https://svdpdetroit.org/
- Catholic Charities: https://www.catholiccharities-mi.org/ccm/
Michigan LIHEAP Grants For Utility Bills
If you qualify for support from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, you can get a Home Heating Credit ($200 average amount) to help cover your energy bills. Separate payments up to $850 per year are also available to prevent utility shutoffs.
Applications for the Home Heating Credit must be made by September 30th each year.
Learn More: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/assistance-programs/cash/energy
Modest Needs Grants
Modest Needs is a nonprofit helping working people in crisis. For workers living paycheck to paycheck, an unexpected expense can mean sliding into poverty.
Modest Needs one-time grants help with things like car repairs, overdue rent, medical bills, and other emergencies. Your criminal background won’t count against you.
Check your eligibility or apply here: https://www.modestneeds.org/mn/for-applicants
Michigan Emergency Relief
Felons may qualify for financial assistance from Michigan’s Emergency Relief program. The program helps low-income households in extreme hardship or with unexpected costs.
Needs can include:
- Burial costs
- Energy bills
- Moving costs
- Home repairs
- Rent arrears
Check eligibility: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/assistance-programs/emergency-relief
Free And Low Cost Healthcare
Low-income felons may qualify for free or low-cost medical care through Medicaid in Michigan. It covers doctor visits, prescriptions, hospital care, and mental health treatment.
Apply for medical cover: https://newmibridges.michigan.gov
Michigan also has a network of free and sliding scale clinics. When fees are charged, they’re based on income, so treatment remains affordable.
Search for free clinics in your county: https://freeclinicdirectory.org/michigan_care.html
Michigan 2-1-1 Helpline
The 2-1-1 helpline connects callers with nonprofits and agencies offering local grants, free food, clothing, and emergency rental assistance. Just dial 2-1-1 from any Michigan phone, or visit https://mi211.org/.
The 2-1-1 helpline is also the service to call if you want to connect with reentry providers in Michigan. Reentry providers help felons with training and employment. Some offer mental health and addiction referrals, and some also run housing programs.
Reentry providers are the only providers of grants designed specifically to support felons. Grants, when available, may be provided for training fees, the cost of tools and uniforms, and housing move in expenses.
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