Grants For Felons in Pennsylvania

Grants for felons in Pennsylvania provide free money that you don’t need to pay back. Common forms of grant assistance include benefit programs that help pay for rent, food, and utilities; funds to pay for education and job training; and reentry services that help with housing and employment.

Grants For Felons in Pennsylvania

These are the most beneficial programs providing financial assistance for released prisoners in PA.

• Reentry Support Services
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Pennsylvania Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Housing Choice Voucher (HVC)
• Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• WIOA Job Training

Second Chance Grants in Pennsylvania for Ex-Felons

Second Chance grants provide funding to reentry organizations in Pennsylvania. Joining a reentry program is the best way to start fresh after prison and build a successful life.

While giving direct cash assistance to felons isn’t the main focus of reentry providers, some offer small stipends to participants who meet program milestones. Reentry can often help with initial housing expenses or direct participants to local organizations that can help with security deposits and application fees.

For example, the Friends Rehabilitation Program in Pennsylvania offers eligible participants on parole or probation anywhere in PA a one-time stipend up to $2,100 to help cover security deposits, first month’s rent, and moving costs. In addition to housing support, participants are connected with felon-friendly landlords, counseling services, and job assistance to help them get back on their feet after release.

Learn more: https://friends-frp.org/reentryprogram/

Reentry programs offer a wide range of free support:

• transitional housing referrals
• clothing and basic necessities
• transportation passes
• job training and placement with employers
• addiction treatment programs
• mentoring and case management

To find local reentry providers and access services funded by second chance grants for felons in PA, call the free 2-1-1 helpline and ask for a referral or speak to your parole/probation service. The ReLink directory also has information about reentry programs you can contact: https://needs.relink.org/category/re-entry.

Food Assistance Grants in Pennsylvania

These income-based programs help families and individuals stretch their grocery budgets every month. You can qualify with a felony as long as you meet the program rules and income requirements.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

In Pennsylvania, having a felony on your record doesn’t prevent you from receiving help to buy groceries, but the state does place some additional requirements on applicants with convictions for drug-related offenses.

Individuals with drug-related felony convictions must:

• comply with all court-ordered obligations, including probation or parole
• participate in or have completed a required drug treatment program
• agree to periodic drug testing for a limited period of time (often tied to your sentence or supervision)

The general guidelines for SNAP require applicants to meet income limits and work requirements.

If you’re between 18 and 64 and able-bodied, you’ll need to be working or participating in an approved job training program for at least 80 hours each month, unless you qualify for an exemption (such as caring for a young child or a disabled household member).

Most recipients receive around $200 to $300 per month per person, depending on household size and income. Benefits are issued on an EBT card, which is used to buy food at supermarkets and farmer’s markets.

Pennsylvania SNAP Income Limits and Benefit Amounts 2026

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

Apply for SNAP: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/snap

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Financial Assistance

Eligibility for WIC grants worth $50 to $150/month for each qualifying family member depends on your household size and income. Felons can qualify if they’re:

• a new mother
• pregnant
• the parent of a child under 5

Grants can only be used to buy nutritious food from a list of approved products – including fruits and vegetables, cereal, canned fish, eggs, milk, and cheese.

You could qualify if your income is under the limits shown below. Pregnant women count as 2 people for WIC. If you’re over the income limit, you can still get WIC if you receive SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid.

• 1 person – $2,413
• 2 people – $3,260
• 3 people – $4,109
• 4 people – $4,957
• 5 people – $5,805

Apply for WIC: https://wic.health.pa.gov/pawic/

Pennsylvania Commodity Supplemental Food Program

Low-income seniors over 60 years of age can qualify for a free grocery box every month filled with nutritious food like meat, fish, cheese, milk, canned fruits and vegetables, soup, beans, rice, pasta, and peanut butter. Felons are welcome to apply.

You’ll need ID and proof of address. Pennsylvania does not ask for proof of income. Contact your local foodbank to apply.

Income limits:

• 1 person – $1,957
• 2 people – $2,644
• 3 people – $3,332
• 4 people – $4,019
• 5 people – $4,707

Find your Pennsylvania foodbank: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pda/food/food-assistance/senior-food-box-program

How To Get Cash Assistance Grants In Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s General Cash Assistance program closed in 2019. Now eligibility for a cash grant to help with monthly expenses like rent and utilities is limited to very low-income families with children under 19. Pregnant women unable to work can also qualify.

Pennsylvania Temporary Assistance For Needy Families (TANF)

You can qualify for TANF if you have children and your household income is under the limits for countable income shown below.

Countable income is your income after program deductions that account for things like taxes, self-employment expenses, housing costs, and utilities.

Able-bodied adults are required to take part in work-related activities designed to lead to employment. Felons who meet program standards can receive TANF.

Income Limits And Maximum Benefits Pennsylvania TANF 2026

Household Size	Monthly Income Limit	Maximum Monthly Payment
1 person	$298	$205
2 people	$461	$316
3 people	$587	$403
4 people	$724	$497
5 people	$859	$589

Apply for Pennsylvania TANF: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/cash-assistance/tanf

Energy and Utility Bill Grants

Energy grants are based on income, so your felony won’t be taken into account when you apply for assistance. To qualify, you only have to meet the income limit for your household size.

If you’re behind on your energy payments or dealing with a potential service cutoff, you may also qualify for a separate crisis grant for urgent situations.

Many utility companies also provide programs aimed at helping households that are having trouble keeping up with energy bills.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program Grants (LIHEAP)

LIHEAP grants for annual heating costs are worth up to $1,000 per year in Pennsylvania. You can also apply for a winter crisis grant worth up to $1,000 to prevent a utility shut-off or repair a broken heating system.

Income Limits For Pennsylvania LIHEAP Grants 2026

Household Size	Gross Monthly Income Limit
1 person	$1,956
2 people	$2,644
3 people	$3,331
4 people	$4,019
5 people	$4,706

Apply for LIHEAP grants through COMPASS: https://www.compass.dhs.pa.gov/home

Pennsylvania Housing Grants And Rent Assistance

You may qualify for a rent assistance grant to help pay your rent each month. Homeless felons can also receive housing support from the Rapid Rehousing program.

Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)

The Housing Choice Voucher Program helps low-income renters afford housing by limiting how much they pay. Most tenants pay around 30% of their income toward rent, and the program covers the rest.

Eligibility is based on income and local housing authority policies. While all adult household members must go through a criminal background check, many people with past convictions are still able to qualify.

Older felonies and less serious offenses often don’t stand in the way, but more serious offenses can be disqualifying for several years. Federal law permanently prohibits HCV rent assistance from being given to anyone:

• convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine in public housing
• with a lifetime sex offender registration requirement

To apply, contact your local PHA.

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

Emergency Rental Assistance

Grant-funded rental assistance programs can help prevent eviction.

If you’re behind on your rent and unable to catch up, you may be able to get financial assistance for:

• overdue rent
• security deposits if you have to move out
• several months of rent payments

Depending on the program, assistance may range from $1,000 to $5,000 or more.

Residents can find local programs by calling 2-1-1 or contacting a local housing agency.

Rapid Rehousing Program Grants

Rapid Rehousing is designed to help people move out of homelessness and into stable housing as quickly as possible, and that includes individuals with felony records.

With Rapid Rehousing, you won’t face the same barriers that are common with regular rent assistance programs.

If you qualify for support, your caseworker will help you find landlords willing to rent to felons and arrange payments for move-in costs like security deposits and application fees. You could even be eligible for rental assistance for several months to a year.

To apply, you’ll need to go through your local Continuum of Care. Call the free 2-1-1 helpline or ask for a referral from a homeless shelter.

Education And College Grants For Felons In PA

Grants make college more affordable, and felons can qualify for education grants on the same terms as everyone else. Eligibility is based on income; your criminal record isn’t a consideration for grant approval. Felons in prison can also qualify for grants if enrolled in an approved Prison Education Program (PEP).

Federal Pell Grant: Low-income students receive up to $7,395 per year to help pay for college.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): This grant for students with exceptional financial need provides an extra $4,000 each year (on top of the Pell Grant).

Both grants are available after completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

Pennsylvania State Grant Program: The maximum annual award is $5,750. Students with an SAI of 12,000 or less are eligible.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Programs

In Pennsylvania, felons can access fully funded job training programs and services supported by WIOA grants. Programs are open to unemployed and underemployed workers.

Participants receive:

• career, job search, and interview counseling
• job training, including paid on-the-job training if available
• certifications or trade school funding
• support to find felon-friendly employers
• help with transportation costs, uniforms, and tools and equipment

Applications are handled through CareerOneStop centers.

Find your nearest center: https://www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/AmericanJobCenters/find-american-job-centers.aspx?location=Pennsylvania

Modest Needs Grants

Working households can apply for grants to help cover the cost of unaffordable short-term expenses like a car repair or medical bill. Grants are paid directly to the service provider (not to you), and you’ll need to submit proof of the expense when you apply.

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

Related: Second Chance Grants in Kentucky for Felons