Grants and Financial Support Programs For Felons in Texas

You can’t apply for specific grants for felons in Texas, but that doesn’t mean financial help is out of reach. Many state and local programs provide support to anyone who meets income and residency requirements, regardless of their criminal history.

While a handful of reentry organizations in Texas may offer small, one-time grants, the most reliable financial support usually comes from government programs aimed at helping low-income Texans.

Grants And Financial Support Programs Felons Can Qualify For

• Reentry grants for felons
• SNAP (money for food)
• TANF (cash assistance)
• LIHEAP (energy bill assistance)
• Rent assistance
• Modest Needs grants
• Free Health Insurance and medical care
• Grants for college and trade school

Reentry Grants For Felons in Texas

When people talk about felony grants, they’ve usually heard about something called the Second Chance grant, but misunderstand how it’s used.

The Second Chance grant funds reentry services in Texas, it doesn’t give money directly to felons. Even though you can’t apply for this grant, you can still benefit if you use services from a reentry provider.

Your reentry provider can help with things like:

• Housing
• Job training programs
• Education
• Substance addiction
• Employment
• Life skills and financial literacy
• Medical care
• Documents and ID

Some reentry providers offer a limited number of grants to felons who are making good progress in the program. These grants may be issued to pay for training, certifications, housing move-in costs, and uniforms and tools for work.

Illinois Reentry Resource Hub: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=168659

Monthly Grants To Buy Groceries

If your income qualifies for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) you’ll get a set amount each month added to your Lone Star Card to spend at the grocery store. The amount you receive depends on your income and household size (spouse, partner, children).

If you or someone in your household is over 60 or has a disability, these income limits are a little higher.

Household Size	Income Limit (Gross)	Maximum Monthly Benefit
1 person	$2,151 / month	$298
2 people	$2,908 / month	$546
3 people	$3,664 / month	$785
4 people	$4,420 / month	$994
5 people	$5.177 / month	$1,183

Apply for SNAP grants: https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/food/snap-food-benefits

Texas TANF Program

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program provides a monthly cash benefit to low-income families with children. Adults without children living at home can’t receive TANF.

TANF is a temporary benefit with a lifetime limit of 60 months.

It’s very difficult to qualify for TANF in Texas because they have one of the lowest income limits in the country. But if you have little to no income, you could be eligible.

The income limits listed here refer to countable income, which is your income after allowable deductions have been applied.

Household Size	Countable Income Limit	Maximum Monthly Benefit
2 people	$163 / month	$320
3 people	$188 / month	$370
4 people	$226 / month	$445
5 people	$251 / month	$494

Apply for TANF: https://www.yourtexasbenefits.com/Learn/Home

Grants That Help Pay For Utility Bills

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides grants to help

low-income households pay for heating and cooling. In Texas the program is very generous with grants reaching as much as $12,300.

Grants for heating and cooling are worth up to $2,400 each. The grant for the purchase or repair of heating and cooling units is worth up to $7,500.

Eligibility and the amount you receive depends on your income and household size. If energy costs are included in your rent, you can still get a LIHEAP grant.

Household Size	Income Limit (pre tax)
1 person	$2,683 / month
2 people	$3,509 / month
3 people	$4,334 / month
4 people	$5,160 / month
5 people	$5,986 / month

Apply for a Texas energy grant: https://liheapch.acf.gov/profiles/Texas.htm

Housing Grants in Texas for Felons

Rapid Rehousing

If you’re a felon in Texas struggling with unstable housing, the Rapid Rehousing program can help you get into a safe, stable home. This program is open to everyone who qualifies, with no barriers to entry, and it’s specifically designed to move people out of homelessness, shelters, or temporary living situations.

When you join the program, a case manager will work with you to understand your needs and help you find a place that fits your situation. Rapid Rehousing can also cover essential move-in costs, like application fees, security deposits, utility deposits, and even short-term rent assistance.

To get started, call the free 2-1-1 helpline, where an advisor will provide the contact information for the agency running Rapid Rehousing in your area and guide you through the next steps.

Long-Term Rent Assistance

While the Rapid Rehousing program helps you move into a rental that accepts felons, the Housing Choice Voucher program provides long-term rent assistance so you can afford to stay.

Most of the Public Housing Agencies that run the program have waiting lists, but you could qualify for an emergency voucher depending on your situation.

You will need to pass a criminal background check, and because PHAs each set their own screening criteria, it’s impossible to give any precise details. Don’t let the background check deter you, though.

If a felony is disqualifying, there will be a limit on the disqualification period. Depending on the offense, it could be as little as 6 months or as long as 10 years from the date of your conviction.

The only offenses with a permanent disqualification are sex offenses with a lifetime registration requirement and manufacturing methamphetamine on the premises of public housing.

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

Modest Needs Grants

Low-income working individuals and families can get a grant to get over an unexpected financial hurdle like a car repair or medical bill.

Grant amounts vary, with average payments of $750.00 to $1,250.00. The amount you receive depends on the expense you need to pay, and you’ll need to provide proof of the expense, like a utility arrears notice or a car repair estimate.

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

Health Cover For Felons On Low Incomes

The Texas Medicaid program, provides free or low-cost health insurance to some low-income residents, covering things like:

• Doctor visits, hospital care, and prescriptions
• Dental and vision
• Behavioral health and substance use treatment
• Long-term care for some seniors and people with disabilities

Eligibility for Medicaid depends on income, household size, age, and disability status. Texas didn’t expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, so adults without children or a disability don’t qualify.

Who qualifies?

• Pregnant women
• Very low-income parents of children under 19
• People who are aged, blind, disabled, or receiving in home or nursing home care

Working age adults without children may qualify for free or low-cost cover through Healthcare.gov.

Learn more: https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/health/medicaid-chip

Other Free Healthcare Options

Because of the way Texas limits access to Medicaid, many people fall through the safety net and don’t have any health insurance. If you don’t qualify for Medicaid, you can still get medical help from the network of free and income-based community health centers throughout the state.

Find a free clinic: https://www.freeclinics.com/sta/texas

Some larger Texas counties (like Harris, Dallas, and Bexar) run indigent health programs for uninsured adults. Call the free 2-1-1 helpline to find your nearest program.

Healthy Texas Women covers some health services for low-income women who don’t qualify for Medicaid.

Learn more: Grants For Felons in Illinois

Education Grants For Felons In Texas

A combination of federal and state grants makes it possible to study for a traditional undergraduate degree or a trade school certification at no cost. Your felony won’t be a barrier to receiving these grants.

• Federal Pell Grant: Low-income students can receive up to $7,395/year
• FSEOG: Students with exceptional financial need can qualify for this grant worth up to $4,000/year (funds are limited, so apply early)
• Texas Public Education Grant: Low-income students receive needs-based grants directly from participating schools – award amounts vary

Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to find out how much you qualify for.

Learn more: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa