Unemployed and low-income residents looking for grants for felons in Missouri can get help with many basic expenses, like rent, food, and utilities, from the government assistance programs that support low-income households.
Government grants can also cover a substantial portion of the costs for felons interested in getting a college degree, completing a trade school certification, or gaining new job skills.
Recommended Grants for Felons In Missouri
These programs provide financial assistance and free grants in Missouri.
- Reentry Support Services
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Missouri Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Housing Choice Voucher (HVC)
- Pell Grant
- Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
- WIOA Job Training
Second Chance Grants For Felons, Missouri
Second Chance grants fund the reentry organizations in Missouri that provide the services felons need to make a fresh start after incarceration.
Reentry services mostly focus on programs that lead to successful community reintegration, but some offer small grants to participants who make good progress. Payments to help with housing costs can also be arranged.
For example, the After Life Initiative in Missouri offers participants up to $1,000 per month in rental assistance for up to three months through its Housing Assistance for Returning Citizens (H.A.R.C.) program. This funding can be used for rent, security deposits, or temporary housing.
Learn more: https://www.afterlifeinitiative.org/programs/reentry-programs
Many reentry programs offer a full range of services, including
- transitional housing referrals
- clothing and basic necessities
- transportation passes
- job training and placement with employers
- addiction treatment programs
- mentoring and case management
To find Missouri reentry providers and access services funded by second chance grants for felons, call the free 2-1-1 helpline and ask for a referral or speak to your parole/probation service. The ReLink directory will also have information about reentry programs you can contact: https://needs.relink.org/category/re-entry.
Food Assistance Grants For Felons
Households that meet income guidelines and other program rules can qualify for food assistance in Missouri. Eligibility and the amount you get are primarily based on income and household size, but certain felonies can be disqualifying. These assistance programs are one of the most common Missouri grants for individuals.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Many felons in Missouri can qualify for monthly grocery grants if they meet the income and work requirements.
If you’re between 18 and 64, you must be in work or approved job training for at least 80 hours per month unless you’re caring for a young child or disabled household member.
Maximum SNAP benefits average $200 – $300 per person per month. This money, issued on an electronic benefit card (EBT card), can only be spent on groceries.
Felons in Missouri with drug-related convictions are generally not eligible for SNAP unless they meet specific conditions.
Someone with a single felony for drug possession or use may be eligible if they:
- submit to drug testing
- participate in a drug treatment program (if needed)
- comply with all parole or probation conditions
Missouri SNAP Income Limits and Maximum Payments 2026
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income Limit | Maximum Monthly Payment |
| 1 person | $1,695 | $298 |
| 2 people | $2.291 | $546 |
| 3 people | $2,887 | $785 |
| 4 people | $3,482 | $994 |
| 5 people | $4,079 | $1,183 |
Apply for SNAP: https://mydss.mo.gov/food-assistance/apply-for-snap
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
The WIC program provides grants to buy nutritious food. If you’re a new mother, a female felon with a baby on the way, or a parent of a child under 5, you can qualify if you’re below the income limit.
Support is worth $50 to $150 per month per qualifying family member. WIC allows you to buy items from a list of approved foods – including fruits and vegetables, cereal, canned fish, eggs, milk, and cheese.
Eligibility is based on your household size and the income limits shown below (pregnant women count as 2 people). If you’re over the income limit, you’re still eligible for WIC if you receive SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid.
- 1 person – $2,413
- 2 people – $3,260
- 3 people – $4,109
- 4 people – $4,957
- 5 people – $5,805
Apply for WIC: https://health.mo.gov/living/families/wic/
Missouri Commodity Supplemental Food Program
Low-income seniors (60 and older) can qualify for this program, operated through Missouri food banks. Felons over 60 are eligible to receive a box of food once a month, filled with a selection of shelf-stable pantry items such as canned foods, rice, pasta, UHT milk, and peanut butter.
Apply at your local foodbank with ID that proves your age and proof of address. You won’t need to prove your income.
Older felons with incomes below the limits shown can benefit from the program.
- 1 person – $1,955
- 2 people – $2,705
- 3 people – $3,415
- 4 people – $4,125
- 5 people – $4,835
Find your Missouri foodbank: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/ad4397b8435f48c690a9a283c8aaa6e3
How To Get Cash Assistance Grants In Missouri
Cash grants available in Missouri are more flexible than the financial support you get from state food programs. With cash grants, you can spend the money on whatever you need – utility bills, fuel to get to work, general household expenses, medical copays, and more.
Missouri doesn’t have a General Assistance program that provides monthly cash grants to all low-income adults. To qualify for a cash grant, you need to be a parent or guardian with children under 19 living at home. Pregnant women unable to work can also qualify.
Missouri Temporary Assistance
The Missouri Temporary Assistance program (also known as TANF) issues cash grants to qualifying families. Able-bodied adults are required to take part in the Missouri Work Assistance program, which helps unemployed and underemployed participants get ready for work and find jobs. Felons who meet program standards can receive TANF.
Income Limits and Maximum Benefits, Missouri Temporary Assistance, 2026
| Household Size | Monthly Income Limit | Maximum Monthly Payment |
| 1 person | $1,632 | $136 |
| 2 people | $2,808 | $234 |
| 3 people | $3,504 | $292 |
| 4 people | $4,104 | $342 |
| 5 people | $4,656 | $388 |
Apply for cash assistance: https://mydss.mo.gov/temporary-assistance
Missouri Grants For Energy and Utility Bills
Felons with low incomes can qualify for these grants available in Missouri to help pay for annual heating costs. If you’re behind on your energy bills and facing a utility shutoff, you may be eligible for an additional crisis grant.
Utility providers also run programs to help households struggling with energy bills.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
This is the main grant you can get to help pay your heating bill. The maximum grant is $495, and it’s available once per year.
Crisis grants are worth up to $300 for summertime emergencies and up to $800 if you’re facing a shut-off or have a broken heating system in the winter.
Income Limits For Missouri LIHEAP Grants 2026
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Income Limit |
| 1 person | $2,840 |
| 2 people | $3,714 |
| 3 people | $4,588 |
| 4 people | $5,461 |
| 5 people | $6,335 |
Apply online for a LIHEAP grant: https://mydss.mo.gov/utility-assistance/liheap
Missouri Housing Grants And Rent Assistance
Housing programs provide rent assistance grants and housing support for low-income Missouri residents.
Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)
The Housing Choice Voucher Program helps renters keep housing affordable by capping what they pay. In most cases, tenants contribute around 30% of their income toward rent, and the voucher pays the remaining balance directly to the landlord.
Eligibility is based on income limits and the policies of your local public housing authority (PHA). While having a criminal record does not automatically disqualify you, every adult in the household must pass a background check, and specific rules differ by location.
For many offenses, waiting periods apply, but older offenses don’t usually prevent approval. However, two permanent disqualifiers apply at every PHA:
- A conviction for manufacturing methamphetamine in public housing
- A lifetime sex offender registration requirement.
To apply, contact your local Public Housing Authority, which manages vouchers in your area.
Find your PHA: https://www.hud.gov/contactus/public-housing-contacts
Missouri Grants For Emergency Rental Assistance
If you’re facing eviction, you may be able to get help from your local county grant-funded rental assistance program.
These programs offer financial assistance for:
- overdue rent
- security deposits
- several months of rent payments
Assistance may range from $1,000 to $5,000 or more, depending on the program and funding levels.
Residents can find local programs by calling 2-1-1 or contacting a local housing agency.
Rapid Rehousing: Missouri Grants For Individuals And Families
If you’re a felon experiencing homelessness, Rapid Rehousing is one of the most accessible programs to look into.
It doesn’t just point you toward landlords willing to rent to people with a record; it also covers costs like your security deposit, application fees, and other move-in expenses. In many cases, participants receive temporary rental assistance that lasts from six months to a year.
Having a criminal history or current substance use issue doesn’t disqualify you. To get started, you’ll need to apply through your local Continuum of Care. Call the free 2-1-1 helpline for a referral or ask for details at your local emergency shelter.
College Grants Felons In Missouri Qualify For
Getting a grant to help cover the costs of a degree or certification program is easier than you might think. Eligibility is based on your income, and a criminal record won’t count against you. Felons currently in prison can even receive a Pell Grant if they study in an approved Prison Education Program (PEP).
Federal Pell Grant: Get up to $7,395 per year to help pay for tuition, books, and other college expenses.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): This is an extra grant only available to students with exceptional financial need. If you qualify, it’s worth up to $4,000 per year, depending on the funding available at your college.
Both grants are available after completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
Access Missouri Grant: Awards range from $1,700 to $3,500 per year and are based on financial need as determined by your FAFSA and the Student Aid Index.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Programs
The WIOA provides grant-funded job training and employment services for eligible Missouri residents.
Participants receive:
- career, job search, and interview counseling
- job training, including paid on-the-job training if available
- certifications or trade school funding
- support to find felon-friendly employers
- help with transportation costs, uniforms, and tools and equipment
Training grants can cover $10,000 or more in career training costs, depending on the program.
Applications are handled through Missouri Workforce centers.
Find your nearest center: https://jobs.mo.gov/jobseeker/missouri-job-centers
Modest Needs Grants
Low-income households with at least one employed member can qualify for small grants to help cover emergency costs such as car repairs or a faulty home appliance.
Grants are paid directly to the service provider, and you’ll need to submit proof of the expense when you apply.
Learn more about these Missouri grants for individuals and apply online: https://www.modestneeds.org/mn/for-applicants/grants/self-sufficiency-grants