Grants For Felons in Illinois

The following programs and grants for felons in Illinois help returning citizens reintegrate and rebuild their lives after incarceration.

Grants For Felons in Illinois 2024

Grants fund many reentry services and programs in Illinois. Thanks to these programs, felons get help with education, training, job placement, and housing.

Felons can also access benefits through federal and state programs that help pay for food, housing, utility bills, and healthcare.

Several organizations that help prisoners in Illinois also run programs that help felons prepare for release.

To find reentry programs and services in your area call the free 2-1-1 helpline, or search for ex-offender reentry programs at https://search.211illinois.org/.

Read Also: Grant money for released prisoners in Texas

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)

The WOTC gives employers a tax credit of up to $9,600 when they hire a former felon. This financial incentive improves employment prospects by making former felons more attractive candidates. Employers participating in the WOTC program include:

• Walmart
• Home Depot
• Target
• UPS
• CVS Health

Benefits And Grants To Help Felons Cover Living Costs

Find out if you’re eligible for the following programs.

Food Stamps (SNAP)

Low-income households can qualify for a monthly grant to spend on food. Income and asset limits apply. The maximum monthly SNAP payment for a single-person household is $291.

For able-bodied adults aged 18-49 without dependents, eligibility for SNAP payments is limited to 3 months in 3 years unless you’re working or attending an approved training program for at least 80 hours per month.

Apply for SNAP: http://abe.illinois.gov/

Cash Assistance Grants

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides a monthly cash grant to eligible families.

To qualify for TANF, you must be a low-income family with at least 1 minor child. The current maximum grant for a family of 1 adult and 1 child is $340 per month.

Apply for TANF: http://abe.illinois.gov/

Rent Assistance Grants

The Housing Choice Voucher program helps low-income households pay their rent. The amount you’ll get depends on your income and household size.

Because this program has limited funding, eligible applicants are usually placed on a waiting list, so apply as soon as you can.

Learn more: https://dcfs.illinois.gov/brighter-futures/independence/housing/subsidized-housing.html

LIHEAP Utility Bill Grants

In Illinois, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps eligible low-income households afford heating and cooling.

To qualify, felons must meet income guidelines and demonstrate financial need. LIHEAP grants typically range from $200 to $1,000.

Apply for LIHEAP: https://dceo.illinois.gov/communityservices/utilitybillassistance/howtoapply.html

Life Wireless Free Phone Service

Felons on a low income may qualify for a free phone plan with unlimited calls and texts and 4.5 GB of data per month.

To qualify your household must receive a benefit like Food Stamps or Section 8, or meet income limits. For a single person, the income limit is $20,331.

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

Healthcare Grants For Felons Without Insurance

Felons without health insurance in Illinois can access several programs that provide free or low-cost healthcare.

Related: Housing for released prisoners in Illinois

Medicaid

In Illinois, Medicaid provides essential healthcare coverage for eligible low-income individuals, including ex-felons reentering society.

The program helps cover medical expenses like doctor visits, hospital care, mental health services, and addiction treatment, often at little to no cost.

Apply for Medicaid: https://hfs.illinois.gov/medicalclients/medicaidguide/applying.html

The Illinois Association of Free & Charitable Clinics

Ex-felons who don’t qualify for Medicaid can access free and low-cost medical services including general medical care, dental treatments, mental health counseling, and prescription assistance. Clinics also offer preventive care, such as screenings for diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer.

Find a free clinic: https://www.illinoisfreeclinics.org/clinic-search/

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)

Community Health Centers offer primary care services to uninsured and underinsured individuals, including ex-felons.

These centers provide routine check-ups, immunizations, dental care, mental health services, and chronic disease management, all offered on a sliding fee scale based on income. This means you only pay what you can afford.

Find a health center: https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/

Illinois Grants for Education

What grants are available in Illinois for students?

Pell Grants: Recent changes to federal law allow felons to participate in the Pell Grants program.

Pell Grants are awarded to eligible low-income students attending college or trade school. The maximum yearly grant is $7,395.

You may also qualify for up to $4,000 of additional funding via the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG).

Apply for both grants when you complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

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

Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP): The MAP grant provides financial aid to Illinois students attending eligible colleges and universities.

This grant is based on financial need and the cost of attending school. Eligibility is determined by your FAFSA application.

Organizations That Help Prisoners In Illinois

These organizations run programs that equip prisoners for a fresh start ahead of their release.

Defy Ventures

Defy Ventures offers second chance programs for felons in Illinois. The CEO of Your New Life program trains felons for entrepreneurship while they’re still in prison.

Participants learn essential business skills including planning, financial management, and marketing. Felons also receive support and mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs.

As prisoners approach their release date, the second chance program supports their transition by creating a detailed reentry plan and providing continued mentorship and resources.

After release, participants receive help to launch their own businesses with ongoing support, additional business training, and access to funding opportunities.

Learn more: https://defyventures.org/

The Illinois Department of Corrections

DOC programs for felons in Illinois include vocational training and GED preparation. Programs equip participants with practical skills and a high school diploma equivalent to improve employability upon release.

Some programs also offer access to college courses and financial aid resources.

Prison Fellowship

Alongside their primary mission of sharing the Gospel inside prisons, the Prison Fellowship runs programs for felons in Illinois preparing them for success after release.

Prisoners can also attend a Bible college-level course to learn how to become Christian leaders.

Learn more: https://www.prisonfellowship.org/about/in-prison/.

Education Justice Project (EJP)

The EJP delivers a comprehensive college-in-prison program through the College of Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Learn more: https://educationjustice.net/