Re-entry Grants For Felons in New York

Grants for felons in New York are primarily provided by government programs that fund reentry services, and through benefit programs that support low-income individuals. If you need financial support, you could qualify for the following programs.

Reentry Grants For Felons in New York 2026

The majority of reentry grants fund the organizations that help felons get back on their feet after prison. Grant funding is provided by the Second Chance Act for the purpose of reducing reoffending and improving outcomes for people after prison.

While you can benefit from those valuable programs, you can’t actually apply for a Second Chance Act grants as an individual. But don’t be discouraged. The programs and services offered by reentry providers are worth thousands of dollars, and they can change your life.

Felons reentering society get case management services and help with housing, employment, education, training, medical care, substance abuse, money management, and more.

Some reentry programs will also provide small grants to felons to cover the cost of applying for a CDL or other licensing necessary for employment, paying the security deposit on an apartment, obtaining ID, or helping you buy a laptop for college.

To find a reentry program, call the free 2-1-1 helpline or check out the Reentry Resource Directory at https://www.211newyork.org/reentry-resource-directory.

Related Post: Personal Grants For Felons in Tennessee

Cash Grants For Felons in NY

New York is one of the few states that gives cash assistance to adults without dependent children. The income based program is called Safety Net Assistance, and for single adults the maximum monthly award is $475.

You can receive this grant for 2 years (lifetime limit). If you still need support after your eligibility runs out, you may still qualify for non-cash benefits that are paid directly to your utility provider and landlord.

Families with children who meet income requirements qualify for a program called Family Assistance. Under this program, cash benefits are available for 60 months (lifetime limit). A family of 3 can get up to $789/month.

Learn more: https://otda.ny.gov/programs/temporary-assistance/

Housing Grants in New York for Felons

Unemployed felons and felons on a low to moderate income may qualify for housing grants. The Housing Choice Voucher Program limits the amount of rent you pay to 30% of your adjusted income, with the voucher covering the rest.

This grant is worth thousands of dollars every year, so it’s worth applying, even though the program has waiting lists in every New York county.

Eligibility for a HCV is based on income and the outcome of a background check. Public Housing Agencies set their own criminal background policies, and some are stricter than others. However, most will approve the majority of offenses after a set period of time.

Drug possession might be disqualifying for 3 years (from date of conviction), while an assault charge could lock you out for 7 years or longer. It all depends on the PHA policy and their assessment of your rehabilitation and risk. Your felony won’t prevent you from joining a waiting list.

Find your local PHA: https://affordablehousingonline.com/housing-authorities/New-York

How To Get A Grant To Buy Food

Food grants are income based and available through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). If you meet the income limit for your household size, you’ll get an EBT card loaded with money each month to spend on food at the grocery store.

In New York, the income limit for an individual is $1,882/month and the maximum benefit is $292/month. For a family of 3 (with a dependant child) the income limit is $4,304/month and the maximum monthly benefit is $768. Income limits and benefit amounts are higher for larger families.

Estimate how much you could get: https://www.snapscreener.com/screener/new-york

Grants For Utility Bills in New York

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) issues grants to low-income households in New York to help pay for heating and cooling. New York also issues a winter crisis grant to households about to run out of heating fuel, facing unaffordable repair costs for a broken heating system, or at risk of a utility shutoff because of unpaid bills.

Funds are limited so you should apply as soon as applications open.

• Heating grant applications are open from November 1–March 17
• Grants to help pay for cooling are open from April 15–August 29
• Applications for winter crisis grants can be made from January 2–March 7

If you qualify for LIHEAP:

• Heating grants range from $21–$996
• Cooling grants range from $10–$1,000
• Winter crisis grants are worth up to $900

Find your local LIHEAP agency: https://liheapch.acf.gov/

Basic Phone Service Grant

Felons can get basic cell phone service via the Lifeline program. Lifeline is funded by the federal government, but it’s administered by participating telecom providers. If you qualify, you get a minimum of 1000 call minutes and 4.5GB of data/month. Some providers offer unlimited calls and texts and higher data limits.

Eligibility is based on income, with the income limit for a single person currently $1,760/month.  If you receive government benefits like SNAP or Medicaid, you automatically qualify.

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

Related Article: Grants in Michigan for Felons

Healthcare Grants For Felons

If you left prison without enrolling in Medicaid, it’s not too late to get yourself covered by New York’s free health insurance plan for low-income residents.

Medicare covers doctor’s visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and preventative care at in service providers. The income limit for a single person is $2,673/month.

Apply for Medicaid: https://www.medicaid.gov/

If you don’t qualify for free cover, you can still get discounts on health insurance (up to 90%) purchased via healthcare.gov.

Felons can also visit any of the free or income based clinics in New York that offer medical care to the uninsured.

Free clinics: https://freeclinicdirectory.org/new_york_care.html

Education Grants For Felons

A range of federal and state grants can pay for you to go to college or trade school and upgrade your skill set. These income based grants are open to felons and by combining grants, you could cover most or all of your tuition costs.

Federal Pell Grant: Awards up to $7,395/year. The amount you qualify for depends on your income and your cost of attending college.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): Funding is limited for this grant, so awards are made on a first come, first served basis. Apply early. If you qualify, the grant is worth up to $4,000 per year.

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

New York State TAP Grant: Worth up to $5,665/year to cover tuition. Income limits are $30,000 for independent single students.

Learn more: https://www.hesc.ny.gov/find-aid/nys-grants-scholarships/tuition-assistance-program-tap

Modest Needs Grants

These grants are for working individuals and families facing an unexpected temporary financial setback. Grants can help cover bills if you just lost your job, or took unpaid sick leave. Grants may also be issued to help with other expenses, like repairing a vehicle, replacing tools you need for work, or replacing a broken appliance.

Grant amounts typically range from $750 to $1,250.

Apply for a grant: https://www.modestneeds.org/for-applicants/apply-for-help.asp

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