Grants For Felons In California

Grants for felons in California pay for education, job training, housing, utility bills, and healthcare. Grants aren’t given directly to felons, instead, the state government awards millions of dollars each year to organizations that help felons rebuild their lives

Felons are also eligible for direct financial assistance programs funded by the federal government.

Reentry Grants For Felons in California 2024

Reentry organizations use grant funding to provide felons with essential services and programs.

Help available to you includes:

• Employment and skills training
• Apprenticeships
• Job placement
• Education programs
• Temporary and permanent housing
• Access to healthcare and benefits
• Referrals to food pantries
• Transportation vouchers
• Substance abuse programs
• Social support and mentoring

To connect with reentry providers in your area, ask your parole officer for a referral, or call the free 2-1-1 helpline.

One provider offering an outstanding reentry program for felons in California is the Center For Employment Opportunities (CEO).

CEO provides transitional employment with daily pay while you go through their reentry program.

Felons interested in a truck driving career can even benefit from a grant that covers the full cost of CDL school.

Learn more about CEO: https://www.ceoworks.org/participants

Healthcare Grants For Felons Without Insurance In California

Healthcare is expensive, particularly for felons with ongoing care needs. Fortunately, grants are available to help cover these costs.

Medi-Cal

California’s Medicaid program offers free or low-cost health coverage to ex-felons. Eligibility is based on income and resources.

Specialized programs like Medi-Cal for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals (FII) provide temporary coverage.

Learn more: http://medi-cal.dhcs.ca.gov

County Health Care Programs

If you earn too much for Medi-Cal cover, but still can’t afford health insurance, find out if you’re eligible for health cover through county health care programs.

Find your county health care program: https://health-access.org/county-health-care-access-for-uninsured-californians

Rent & Housing Assistance Programs for Felons

California provides rent assistance and second-chance housing options to help felons meet their housing needs.

Rapid Re-housing Programs (RRH)

RRH helps felons find permanent housing and avoid homelessness.  Programs operate on a housing-first basis without preconditions like sobriety or absence of a criminal record.

Felons receive rent and utility assistance, money for security and utility deposits, moving assistance, and mentoring.

RRH programs operate locally through Coordinated Entry partners. Call 2-1-1 to find out how to get help in your area.

Recent Article: Grants For Felons In Georgia

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program

This program provides long-term rental assistance for low-income households. If you’re eligible for Section 8 support, you’ll only be responsible for paying 30% of your rent, the housing voucher covers the rest.

Waiting lists are common and you’ll need to pass a criminal background check. Disqualification criteria vary depending on the local housing authorities’ tenant acceptance policy).

Contact your local housing authority: https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PIH/documents/PHA_Contact_Report_CA.pdf

Financial Assistance For Released Prisoners In California

In addition to the $200 gate money given to prisoners upon release, felons may be eligible for the following financial assistance and grants for parolees in California.

CalFresh (Food Stamps)

Low-income households qualify for a monthly grant to help pay for groceries. For a 1 person household, the maximum monthly CalFresh payment is $291.

Learn more and apply: https://www.getcalfresh.org/en

CalWorks

CalWorks administers California’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. The program provides a monthly cash grant to help pregnant women and parents with children cover essential expenses.

Find out if you qualify: https://www.calworks.org/eligibility-process

Grants For Utility Bills In California

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) issues one-time grants to help pay for heating and cooling costs. An additional crisis payment may also be available.

Learn more: https://www.csd.ca.gov/Pages/LIHEAPProgram.aspx

Grants For Free Phonecalls

Life Wireless offers free unlimited phone calls and texts, plus 10 GB monthly data to low-income residents in California.

Eligibility is based on income and household size.

The income limit for a single-person household to qualify is $23,400.

Learn more: https://www.lifewireless.com/plans/california-lifeline-free-phone-service

Grants For Education

Pell Grant: Pell Grants help to cover the cost of college or trade school. For the 2024-2025 school year, the maximum Pell Grant is $7,395.

The amount you’ll actually receive depends on your financial need, expenses, and the cost of your tuition.

Learn more: https://www2.ed.gov/programs/fpg/index.html

California College Promise Grant: Provides free tuition for eligible felons attending community college.

Learn more: https://home.cccapply.org/en/money/california-college-promise-grant

Modest Needs Grants

These grants help low-income, working households cover unexpected or emergency expenses by sending a payment directly to your creditor, landlord, or service provider.

Average grant amounts range from $750 to $1,250.

Learn more: https://www.modestneeds.org/mn/for-applicants

Small Business Grants for Parolees in California

Contact your local Small Business Development Center to get help setting up your business and for information about any grants that you can apply for.

Learn more: https://www.californiasbdc.org/find-your-sbdc

Other financial assistance programs and grants for felons may be available through churches, charities, and local non-profits. Call the United Way’s free 2-1-1 helpline to ask about support programs you may qualify for.