There aren’t special grant for felons in Tennessee, but don’t let that discourage you. Many financial aid options across the state are open to anyone who meets the income and residency requirements, regardless of their criminal record.
While a few reentry nonprofits do provide small grants, most financial help for felons comes from broader programs aimed at helping low-income Tennesseans get back on their feet.
Read Also: Benefit Programs And Grants For Felons in Washington State
Support Programs And Grants For Felons in Tennessee
- Reentry grants for felons
- SNAP (money for food)
- Families First (cash assistance)
- LIHEAP (energy assistance)
- Housing Choice Voucher (rent assistance)
- Modest Needs grants
- Free health insurance and medical care
- Grants for college and trade school
Read Also: Free Grants in Illinois for Felons
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Also called Food Stamps, SNAP helps you buy groceries each month by giving you a set amount of money on an EBT card. The amount you receive depends on your household size (you, your spouse, partner, or kids) and your monthly income.
If someone in your home is over 60 or has a disability, the income limits are a bit higher, which can make it easier to qualify.
| Household Size | Income Limit (Gross) | Maximum Monthly Benefit |
| 1 person | $1,695 / month | $298 |
| 2 people | $2,291 / month | $546 |
| 3 people | $2,887 / month | $785 |
| 4 people | $3,482 / month | $994 |
| 5 people | $4,079 / month | $1,183 |
Apply for SNAP food grants: https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/for-families/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/applying-for-services.html
Tennessee Families First (Cash Grants)
Families First is Tennessee’s version of the federally funded Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.
The program provides a monthly cash grant to help cover your basic expenses. It’s only
available to families with children, though, and the assistance is limited to 60 months.
To qualify for Tennessee Families First, you’ll need to be at or under the countable income limit and agree to a Personal Responsibility Plan, which includes participating in work-related activities for 30 hours a week.
Note: Countable income is your income after allowable deductions for things like shelter costs and childcare. It’s less than the income shown on your paystub.
| Household Size | Countable Income Limit | Maximum Monthly Benefit |
| 2 people | $2,535 / month | $342 |
| 3 people | $2,866 / month | $387 |
| 4 people | $3,241 / month | $438 |
| 5 people | $3,487 / month | $471 |
Apply for cash grants: https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/for-families/families-first-tanf.html
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
In Tennessee, LIHEAP grants help low-income households pay for heating and cooling. Crisis grants are also available if you’ve received an energy shutoff notice or need to pay for a heating system repair.
If energy costs are included in your rent, you can still apply for LIHEAP.
The amount you qualify for depends on income, household size, and the type of fuel you use. The minimum heating grant is $600 and the maximum is $1,000. Cooling grants range from $600 – $1,000. The maximum crisis grant is $1,000.
| Household Size | LIHEAP Income Limit (before tax) |
| 1 person | $2,557 / month |
| 2 people | $3,344 / month |
| 3 people | $4,131 / month |
| 4 people | $4,918 / month |
| 5 people | $5,705 / month |
Tennessee LIHEAP: https://thda.org/help-for-homeowners/low-income-home-energy-assistance-program-liheap/
Two Rent Assistance Programs Felons Can Qualify For
Rapid Rehousing Program
Felons in Tennessee without stable housing can apply for the Rapid Rehousing program. There are no barriers to entry for this program, as it’s designed to help get homeless people and those living in shelters or other types of temporary accommodation into secure housing.
When you work with the program, a case manager will assess your needs and help you find a suitable place to live. Rapid Rehousing also covers move-in costs like application fees, security and utility deposits, and provides rent assistance for a limited period.
To connect with the Rapid Rehousing program, call the free 2-1-1 helpline, where an advisor will give you the contact details for the agency running the program in your area.
Housing Choice Voucher Program
The other assistance program for renters on low to moderate incomes is the Housing Choice Voucher program (HCV). This program limits the amount you need to spend on rent to 30% of your income. Financial support through the HCV program is ongoing for as long as you remain within the income limits and follow other program rules.
All applicants must pass a background check, but that doesn’t mean you can’t qualify with a felony.
When your local Public Housing Agency (PHA) reviews your conviction, you’ll have an opportunity to explain the circumstances of the offense and to show your rehabilitation efforts.
For example, if you were recently convicted of felony drug possession and the PHA bars drug convictions for 5 years (from the date of conviction), your application would be denied. But if you’ve completed a treatment program and remained clean, your felony conviction wouldn’t count against you.
Find your local PHA: https://www.hud.gov/contactus/public-housing-contacts
Modest Needs Grants
This grant is available to low-income working individuals and families facing an unexpected short-term financial challenge.
Grants can be used for vehicle and appliance repairs, to help pay overdue bills, to cover medical expenses and for many more urgent expenses. Grant amounts vary with average payments being $750.00 to $1,250.00
Learn more and apply online: https://www.modestneeds.org/mn/for-applicants/grants/self-sufficiency-grants.
Health Insurance For Low-Income Felons
TennCare is Tennessee’s Medicaid program, run by the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration. It provides free or low-cost health insurance to eligible low-income residents, covering things like:
- Doctor visits, hospital care, and prescriptions
- Dental and vision (for children, limited for adults)
- Behavioral health and substance use treatment
- Long-term care for some seniors and people with disabilities
Eligibility for TennCare depends on income, household size, age, and disability status. Because Tennessee didn’t expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, adults without children don’t qualify unless they fall into another category.
Who qualifies?
- Pregnant women
- Parents of children under 19
- People who are aged, blind, disabled, or receiving in home or nursing home care
Working age adults without children can still qualify for free or low-cost coverage through Healthcare.gov, if their income is between 100-150% of the Federal Poverty Level (roughly $15,000-$21,000/year for an individual).
Learn more: https://www.tn.gov/tenncare/members-applicants/eligibility/tenncare-medicaid.html
Free Clinics In Tennessee
Tennessee offers a network of free and income-based health clinics that provide essential medical, dental, and behavioral health services to low-income and uninsured residents.
Find a free clinic near you: https://www.freeclinics.com/sta/tennessee
Felons in Tennessee Qualify For Education Grants
Whether you want to go to college to study for a degree, or get a certification at a trade school, these grants help to cover your costs.
Felons have full access to the following income-based grants:
- Federal Pell Grant: For low-income students, this grant is worth up to $7,395 per year
- FSEOG: Students with exceptional financial need can receive up to $4,000
- Tennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA): This income based grant is worth up to $4,000 per year
- Tennessee Reconnect: Covers your remaining costs after other grants have been applied
Learn more: https://tnreconnect.gov/
Reentry grants in Tennessee for individuals
Reentry grants are the only grants specifically for felons, and are only available in limited circumstances.
To qualify for a reentry grant, felons need to join a reentry program and make good progress. A grant may be awarded to cover the cost of job training (at a truck driving school, for example), to help with a security deposit for an apartment, or to obtain ID.
Grants availability depends on the reentry program rules and funding level.
Call the free 2-1-1 helpline to find a reentry program in your area.
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