Personal and Business Grants For Felons in Missouri 2026

Felons in Missouri can apply for a wide range of grants and financial assistance programs. Most programs are reserved for low-income individuals and families, and having a felony isn’t a barrier to approval.

Reentry Grants For Felons in Missouri

Grants specifically for felons are available through reentry organizations. These grants are usually used to pay for vocational training programs – like CDL training. Reentry providers that help with housing may also have funds to help felons afford an apartment security deposit or first month’s rent.

Contact the free 2-1-1 helpline to ask about reentry providers in your area. Most work with offenders in the first 12 months after release from prison, but some are open to felons no matter how much time has passed since release.

Related Article: Federal Grants For Felons in Michigan

General Financial Assistance For Felons

If you need money to help with basic living costs, like food, rent, utility bills, and medical care, you can apply for government assistance. Government assistance programs provide monthly support to low-income households, so you’ll only qualify if you meet the income limits for each program.

To apply, you’ll need ID and proof of income.

SNAP Benefits

You might qualify for a monthly food grant through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Your benefit is paid via an Electronic Benefit Transfer card (EBT card) each month.

The income limit for SNAP depends on the number of people in your household. In Missouri, a single person household can have an income up to $1,631/month. The maximum monthly grant for a single person is $292/month.

Felons convicted of crimes related to illegal possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance and felons in violation of parole or probation may not qualify for SNAP.

Apply here: https://mydss.mo.gov/food-assistance/apply-for-snap

WIC Program

If you’re pregnant, or have children under 5 years old, you could also be eligible for extra food assistance through the WIC program. WIC is the Women, Infants, and Children program, but dads can apply on behalf of their children too.

Benefit amounts vary because pregnant women, infants, and older children have different nutritional needs.

Learn more here: https://health.mo.gov/living/families/wic/

Rent Assistance For Felons

Felons in Missouri can apply for emergency housing through the Rapid Rehousing Program and long-term rent assistance through the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Other help is available from local charities.

Rapid Rehousing

If you don’t have anywhere to live, you may be eligible for the Rapid Rehousing Program. This program is open to unhoused people regardless of criminal background or sobriety status.

Housing case managers find suitable short-term housing, then work with clients to secure permanent housing. Grants are provided to pay for security deposits, utility deposits and rent for a limited period.

Intake for Rapid Rehousing is managed by the Coordinated Entry System (CES).

To access the CES, look up your local provider on this list: https://mhdc.com/media/j23lh4nz/coordinated-entry-numbers-by-county.pdf

Housing Choice Voucher Program

The HCV Program cuts the cost of renting a home. When you rent from a landlord that accepts housing vouchers, you won’t have to pay more than 30% of your income towards your rent.

For example, if 30% of your monthly income is $700, and your rent is $950, the voucher pays the $250 difference.

You can remain in the program for as long as you meet the income limits and follow the program rules. This makes housing assistance one of the most valuable grants available to low-income felons.

Most areas operate waiting lists for rent assistance, so it’s important to get on the list at your Public Housing Authority as soon as possible.

While PHA’s don’t use blanket bans on felons, they do have criminal background screening policies.

The only felons that are automatically disqualified at all PHA’s are those with a lifetime sex offender registration requirement and those convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine in public housing.

Find your PHA: https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PIH/documents/PHA_Contact_Report_MO.pdf

Housing Grants From Missouri Charities

The Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul, and Catholic Charities offer small grants to help with move in costs and late rent. Grants may also be available if you’re behind with your utility bills and facing a shutoff.

Homeless felons could receive vouchers for a motel room, and gas vouchers are sometimes available to help those on low incomes get to work. Availability is dependent on local funds.

Salvation Army: https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/mo/
St Vincent de Paul: https://svdpstlouis.org/
Catholic Charities: https://ccstl.org/

Missouri Home Energy Grants

If you’re struggling with utility costs, these programs offer support.

LIHEAP

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides heating and cooling assistance to households struggling to pay their energy bills. Eligibility for the program and payment amount depends on your income and household size. For a single person household, the income limit is $2,535/month.

Missouri LIHEAP can also help if you’re facing a shut-off because you haven’t been able to pay your utility bill. The Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) can cover an overdue payment up to $800 for the winter period, and up to $300 for the summer period.

Learn more: https://mydss.mo.gov/utility-assistance/liheap

Ameren Missouri Dollar More Program

This program helps Ameren Missouri customers pay their energy bills. Customers can apply for an annual grant worth up to $600 by filling out a simple application here: https://www.ameren.com/missouri/residential/energy-assistance/dollar-more

Hardship Grants Missouri

Missouri provides hardship grants to families on very low incomes thought the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program (TANF). To qualify, you need to have a child under 18 living with you and be under the income limit for your household size.

Apply for TANF: https://mydss.mo.gov/temporary-assistance

Modest Needs Grants

Modest Needs grants are for working people living just above the poverty line. If you’re facing a financial crisis because of an unexpected event like a job loss, illness, or death in the family, you can qualify.

Other situations like fixing a vehicle you need for work, repairing an essential appliance at home, or paying an overdue rent or utility bill are also considered.

The amount you can get depends on your income and need, but grants typically fall between $750.00 and $1,250.

Check your eligibility or apply here: https://www.modestneeds.org/mn/for-applicants

Free And Low Cost Healthcare

Low-income felons may qualify for free or low-cost medical care through Missouri Health Net, which covers doctor visits, prescriptions, hospital care, and mental health treatment.

Apply for medical cover: https://mydss.mo.gov/healthcare

Missouri also has a network of 236 clinics for low income residents, offering free services or charging fees on a sliding scale based on income.

Search for free clinics in your county: https://freeclinicdirectory.org/missouri_care.html

Government Grants For Felons in Missouri