Benefit Programs And Grants For Felons in Washington State

Are there any grants for felons in Washington state? Unfortunately, you won’t find grants just for felons, but the good news is felons on a low income are eligible for the same financial assistance programs as everyone else.

Whether you need some extra money to cover basics like food, rent, and heating bills, or you’re looking for a substantial grant to help you pay for college, your felony won’t usually be a barrier when you apply for support.

Benefit Programs And Grants For Felons in Washington State

• Reentry grants for felons
• SNAP (money for groceries)
• TANF (monthly 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’re often thinking of something called the Second Chance Grant or Second Chance Act. But there’s a lot of misunderstanding about how this grant works and who can apply.

This grant doesn’t hand out money directly to felons. Instead, it funds reentry programs and service providers across Texas that help people with felony convictions get back on their feet.

So while you can’t apply for it yourself, you can benefit by connecting with one of the reentry programs that receive the funding.

Your reentry provider can help with things like:

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

Some reentry programs sometimes offer small grants to felons who are making good progress toward their reentry goals. These grants are usually issued to cover the cost of training programs, certifications, housing move-in costs, and uniforms and tools for work.

Call the free 2-1-1 helpline to find a reentry program in your area. While most programs are for felons released from prison in the last 12 months, some offer support to felons years after release and to felons who received noncustodial sentences.

Related Search: Grants and Financial Support Programs For Felons in Texas

Get A Basic Foods Grant To Pay For Groceries

The federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is called Basic Foods in Washington. Basic Foods gives recipients an electronic benefits card (EBT) that’s reloaded with funds every month. The money on this debit card can only be spent on groceries, and there are restrictions on buying things like candy and soft drinks.

If you qualify, this grant provides valuable ongoing support that can cover your grocery bill if you shop carefully.

Eligibility is based on your income and household size. Households with a member who is 60+ or disabled have slightly higher income limits.

Household Size	Income Limit (Gross)	Maximum Monthly Benefit
1 person	$2,608 / month	$298
2 people	$3,526 / month	$546
3 people	$4,442 / month	$785
4 people	$5,358 / month	$994
5 people	$6,276 / month	$1,183

Apply for Basic Foods: https://www.washingtonconnection.org/

Washington’s Cash Assistance Program

Very low-income families with children under 18 can qualify for TANF, a cash assistance program that provides a monthly benefit to help needy families cover basic expenses.

Eligibility for cash assistance is based on countable income and household size. Countable income is income after allowable deductions have been made. This is lower than the amount listed on your paystub.

Household Size	Countable Income Limit	Maximum Monthly Benefit
2 people	$1,640 / month	$570
3 people	$1,912 / month	$706
4 people	$2,166 / month	$833
5 people	$2,418 / month	$959

Apply for cash assistance at: https://www.washingtonconnection.org

Grants That Help You Pay For Home Heating

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) gives low-income households up to $1,250 per year to go towards their heating bills.

Crisis grants of up to $10,000 are also available to pay for heating system purchase and repair, preventing a utility shutoff, or purchasing emergency fuel.

You can apply for LIHEAP even if your energy bills are included in your rent, and you don’t have a separate utility payment.

Household Size	Income Limit (pre tax)
1 person	$1,882 / month
2 people	$2,556 / month
3 people	$3,228 / month
4 people	$3,900 / month
5 people	$4,573 / month

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

Housing Grants for Felons In Washington State

Rapid Rehousing

Felons in Washington state, without stable housing, can qualify for help from the Rapid Rehousing program. This program’s main priority is getting vulnerable people into safe homes, so your criminal record won’t be a barrier.

Once housing is found, Rapid Rehousing covers move-in costs like application fees and security deposits. The program also funds rent payments for a limited period.

To find the agency handling Rapid Rehousing intake in your area, call the free 2-1-1 helpline.

Housing Choice Voucher Rent Assistance

The Housing Choice Voucher program provides long-term rent assistance that limits your portion of the rent to 30% of your adjusted income.

Because the program is underfunded and demand is high, most of the Public Housing Agencies that manage the program have waiting lists, but you could qualify for an emergency voucher depending on your situation.

Eligibility for a HCV is based on your income, household size and the outcome of a criminal background check.

Housing agencies list their screening criteria and state which felonies are disqualifying and for how long. The disqualification period runs from the date of conviction and may be a short as 6–12 months for some offenses.

Offenses that are permanently disqualifying 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

Modest Needs grants are for working people living paycheck to paycheck. They help cover unexpected expenses that people without savings or access to credit can’t afford.

Grants are issued to pay for car and appliance repairs, stop a utility shutoff, prevent an eviction, pay for medical costs, and for many more needs. Grant payments typically average $750.00 to $1,250.00.

You will need to provide proof of the expense you’re claiming a grant for, and grants are paid directly to creditors and service providers.

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

Health Cover For Felons On Low Incomes

Like all states, Washington state runs a Medicaid program for low-income residents. Washington’s Apple Health program provides free health insurance for individuals and families earning up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

That’s an income of around $1,732/month for a single person or $2,352/month for a couple.

Pregnant women earning up to 198% of FPL (about $2,484/month for a single person) can get free cover during pregnancy and for 12 months after giving birth.

Learn more and apply at: https://www.wahealthplanfinder.org/

Free Clinics In Washington

If you don’t qualify for Apple Health, you can get healthcare at one of Washington’s free and income based clinics.

Find your nearest free health center: https://www.freeclinics.com/sta/washington

Education Grants For Felons In Washington State

Felons can apply for and receive grants to help pay for college or trade school.

• Federal Pell Grant: Provides low-income students with up to $7,395/ year
• FSEOG: Students with exceptional financial need may receive this grant worth up to $4,000 per year if funds are available (apply early)
• Washington College Grant: Low to moderate income students can go to college or get career training and certification for free with this grant.

Visit the official website to learn more: https://wsac.wa.gov/wcg