Are there grants for felons in Ohio? Yes, felons can qualify for significant financial support through programs that help pay for rent, food, and utility costs.
Individuals with criminal records are eligible for government grants and assistance programs aimed at low-income households. Because most of these programs are based on income, your criminal record isn’t a barrier to getting help.
Felons in Ohio also get financial and practical support from reentry providers and charitable organizations.
2026 Recommended Grants for Felons in Ohio
Felons can qualify for financial assistance and individual free grants in Ohio.
- Reentry Support Services
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Ohio 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 in Ohio
The Ohio Second Chance Act funds many of the nonprofits and community organizations that operate reentry programs across the state.
These programs support felons after prison, helping people rebuild their lives and reconnect with their communities.
Reentry programs offer a wide range of free support:
- transitional housing referrals
- clothing and necessities
- transportation passes
- job training and placement with employers
- addiction treatment programs
- mentoring and case management
Some programs also provide small financial grants for basic needs. For example, the North Star Neighborhood Reentry Resource Center in Cleveland offers felons in Cuyahoga County grant assistance for security deposits, first month’s rent, and utility bills. Participants also get vouchers for state IDs and birth certificates.
Grants for felons Ohio and North Star Reentry: https://northstarreentry.org/
To access reentry programs in your area, ask your probation or parole officer, or call the free 2-1-1 helpline for details and a referral. You can also check the reentry resources hub at https://needs.relink.org/category/re-entry.
Food Assistance Grants For Low-Income Ohio Residents
Food assistance programs are among the most common free grant programs in Ohio for individuals with low incomes.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP provides monthly grocery assistance to eligible households. Typical benefits average about $200 – $300 per person/month.
Funds are issued through an electronic benefit card (EBT card) that can be used to buy groceries at supermarkets and farmers’ markets.
Eligibility is based on income and household size. Many people with felony convictions qualify for SNAP as long as they meet income and work requirements.
Able-bodied applicants between 18 and 64 must be in work or approved job training for at least 80 hours per month. These work rules don’t apply if you’re looking after a disabled family member or young child.
Can you get SNAP in Ohio with a drug conviction? Yes, Ohio opted out of the federal lifetime SNAP ban that prevents anyone convicted of a drug offense from getting food assistance benefits.
Ohio SNAP Income Limits and Benefit Amounts 2026
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income Limit | Maximum Monthly Payment |
| 1 person | $2,608 | $298 |
| 2 people | $3,526 | $546 |
| 3 people | $4,442 | $785 |
| 4 people | $5,360 | $994 |
| 5 people | $6,276 | $1,183 |
Apply for SNAP: https://benefits.ohio.gov/home
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Grants from the WIC program help pregnant women, new mothers, and young children get nutritious food. Felons who meet program standards are eligible for WIC grants.
Each qualifying family member receives support worth about $50 to $150 per month, which can be used to buy approved foods, including fruits and vegetables, cereal, canned fish, eggs, milk, and cheese.
Check the income limit for your household size shown below. If you’re pregnant, you count as 2 people. If you’re over the income limit, you can still get WIC grants 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 through your county WIC clinic or call the Help Me Grow Helpline at 1-800-755-4769
Ohio WIC: https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/women-infants-children/resources/women-infants-children-description
Ohio Commodity Supplemental Food Program
This program, operated via Ohio’s food banks, is for low-income seniors (60 and older). If you qualify, you’ll receive a box of food once a month to help you stretch your grocery budget. Apply at your local food bank.
Older felons with incomes below the limits shown below can benefit from the CSFP.
- 1 person – $1,957
- 2 people – $2,644
- 3 people – $3,332
- 4 people – $4,019
- 5 people – $4,707
Find your Ohio foodbank: https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/jfs.ohio.gov/ofam/CSFP-Map-2025.pdf
Cash Assistance Grants In Ohio
Several programs provide monthly grants or emergency cash assistance for low-income households. Felons are eligible for this assistance because it’s based on income and need.
Ohio Works First (TANF)
Ohio Works First, part of the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, provides cash assistance to families with children. This money is issued on an Ohio PATHWAY card or deposited directly to your bank account.
Funds can be used for basic expenses like rent, transportation, clothing, or household bills.
Applicants must meet income limits and participate in work or training programs, and assistance is limited to 36 months (lifetime limit).
Income Limits And Maximum Benefits: Ohio Works First 2026
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income Limit | Maximum Monthly Payment |
| 1 person | $652 | $363 |
| 2 people | $881 | $495 |
| 3 people | $1,110 | $608 |
| 4 people | $1,340 | $749 |
| 5 people | $1,569 | $877 |
Apply through Ohio Benefits: https://benefits.ohio.gov/
Prevention, Retention, and Contingency (PRC)
PRC programs provide short-term emergency cash grants for Ohio households facing financial hardship. You may be eligible if you are:
- a parent of a child under 18
- a pregnant woman
These grants are for expenses like:
- rent payments
- car repairs needed for work
- gasoline
- utility bills
- work uniforms or tools
- childcare costs
- vehicle license tags
Grant amounts vary by county, but some programs provide $500 to $1,500 in emergency assistance.
Applications are handled through local county Job and Family Services offices.
County Directory: https://jfs.ohio.gov/County/County_Directory.stm
Energy and Utility Bill Grants For Felons, Ohio
Ohio offers several energy assistance grants to help households stay current on heating and electricity costs.
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
HEAP is a federally funded heating assistance grant that helps households pay winter heating bills.
Payments range from $41 to $811, depending on household income, heating costs, and family size.
The program also offers winter and summer emergency grants to eligible households to prevent a utility shutoff, cover reconnection fees, pay a past due bill, repair broken heating or cooling equipment, or purchase fuel like propane or heating oil.
- maximum emergency summer HEAP grant: $800
- maximum emergency winter HEAP grant: $800
Income Limits For Ohio HEAP Grants 2026
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Income Limit |
| 1 person | $2,282 |
| 2 people | $3,084 |
| 3 people | $3,886 |
| 4 people | $4,689 |
| 5 people | $5,491 |
Applications are handled by the Ohio Department of Development and local Community Action Agencies.
Apply for HEAP grants: https://development.ohio.gov/individual/energy-assistance/apply-now-energy-assistance-programs
Percentage Of Income Payment Plan (PIPP Plus)
The PIPP Plus program helps eligible households reduce their monthly energy costs.
Instead of paying the full bill, participants pay a fixed percentage of their income:
- 5% of income if heating with gas
- 10% of income if heating with electricity
The remaining cost is subsidized through grant funding.
Learn more: https://development.ohio.gov/individual/energy-assistance/2-percentage-of-income-payment-plan-plus
Ohio Housing Grants And Rent Assistance
Housing programs provide rent assistance grants and housing support for low-income residents.
Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)
Under the Housing Choice Voucher Program, tenants typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the voucher covering the rest of the rent payment. A HCV is one of the most valuable long-term grants for felons, Ohio, so it’s an important one to apply for.
Eligibility depends on income and local housing authority rules. Housing authorities allow applicants with criminal records, though local restrictions can vary. All adult household members must pass a criminal background check.
For most offenses, the disqualification period is limited, and many older felonies won’t be a barrier at all.
You cannot get a HCV if you have:
- a conviction for manufacturing methamphetamine on the premises of public housing
- a lifetime requirement to register as a sex offender
Apply for rent assistance grants at your local public housing authority (PHA).
Find your PHA: https://www.hud.gov/contactus/public-housing-contacts
Emergency Rental Assistance
Many Ohio counties operate grant-funded rental assistance programs that help prevent eviction.
These programs provide financial assistance for:
- overdue rent
- security deposits
- several months of rent payments
Depending on the program, assistance may range from $1,000 to $5,000 or more.
Residents can find local programs by calling 2-1-1 or contacting a local housing agency.
Rapid Rehousing Program Grants
Homeless felons can qualify for the Rapid Rehousing program. As well as helping you find long-term affordable housing that accepts felons, the program will issue a grant that covers your security deposit, application fee, and other move-in costs. You may also be eligible for ongoing rent support for 6 – 12 months.
A criminal record is not a barrier to approval for Rapid Rehousing, nor is a current substance abuse issue.
Apply through your local Continuum of Care. Call the free 2-1-1 helpline for a referral.
College Grants Felons Qualify For
Education is another area where grant funding helps returning citizens build new careers that lead to stable lives. Felons can qualify for these grants as long as they meet financial aid requirements. Independent students with low incomes typically qualify for the maximum level of grant funding.
Federal Pell Grant: Eligible students receive up to $7,395 per year to help pay for tuition, books, and other college expenses.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): This additional college grant for students with exceptional financial need is worth up to $4,000 per year, depending on funding available at the college.
Both grants are available after completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
Ohio Second Chance Grant: A second chance grant of $3,000 is given to students re-enrolling to complete a college degree or credential. To qualify, you must have some college credit and cannot already have a bachelor’s degree.
Learn more: https://highered.ohio.gov/initiatives/affordability/second-chance
Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG): Offers a grant worth up to $4,000 per year to students with financial need. To qualify, you must be enrolled at least quarter-time as an undergraduate student at an Ohio public or private college. This grant is awarded automatically to qualifying students based on the information supplied on their FAFSA.
Workforce Innovation And Opportunity Act (WIOA) Programs
The WIOA program funds job training and employment services for unemployed and underemployed Ohio residents.
Participants receive:
- career counseling
- help with resumes and interview prep
- job training for in-demand roles
- certifications or funding for trade school
- support to find felon-friendly employers
Training grants can cover $3,000 to $10,000 or more in career training costs, depending on the type and length of the program.
Applications are handled through OhioMeansJobs workforce centers.
Find your nearest center: https://ohiomeansjobs.ohio.gov/job-seekers/find-a-job/local-help
Modest Needs Grants
Low-income working households in Ohio can qualify for small grants to help cover unaffordable costs like a car repair or medical bill.
Grants are paid directly to the service provider, and you’ll need to submit proof of the expense when you apply.
Learn more and apply online: https://www.modestneeds.org/mn/for-applicants/grants/self-sufficiency-grants.