Eric Tomasso
Contrary to popular belief, felons can get government benefits. However, since not all situations and government programs are the same, several factors will come into play to determine if you can receive assistance.
Examples Of Government Benefits
Government benefits can be any government assistance, whether local, state, or federal. While many government benefit programs aim to help people with children or limited income, some also help felons. Here are some examples of government benefits that may be able to help you get back on your feet:
2023
Tax Forgiveness
We know how challenging it can be to pay off your tax debt.
The IRS just announced the 2023 Fresh Start Program, to qualify more people for tax relief!
Section 8 Housing Assistance
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) makes renting more affordable for qualifying low-income households via vouchers. With a housing voucher, you will not have to pay more than 30 percent of your income towards rent.
SNAP (Food Stamps)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps low-income households buy food by loading funds onto EBT cards that can be swiped at the grocery store.
TANF
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families is a welfare program that provides cash payments to low-income households with children. Besides offering cash to help pay bills, TANF also offers assistance with finding jobs.
SSI
Supplemental Security Income offers monthly payments to qualified applicants over 65 or those who can’t make sufficient income due to a disability.
Medicaid
This healthcare program from the federal government helps low-income households receive the care they need to keep medical bills low.
Getting Government Benefits With A Felony On Your Record
The examples of government benefits listed above are available to felons, provided they are not incarcerated. The individual eligibility requirements may differ by state, however, and you may need to show that you are employed, are looking for a job, or have kids to be eligible.
It is worth noting that if you are incarcerated, you generally cannot apply for benefits for your dependents, even if you received them before being sentenced.
While in prison, benefits are typically suspended.
As for your felony preventing you from receiving benefits, that may happen if you seek housing and have a specific crime on your record. Beyond that, many government programs are more interested in your income, the number of children, employment status, etc., when determining eligibility for assistance.
In short, as long as you are not incarcerated, you have a good chance of being eligible for HUD benefits, SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, and even student aid from the federal government. And if you received Social Security benefits before incarceration, such assistance can resume once you are released.
How Quickly Can You Receive Government Benefits Once You Are Released?
In some cases, the federal government can reinstate benefits within the same month of release. You will need to contact the program of interest to get a detailed answer to this question, as eligibility depends on the program, where you live, the severity and nature of the felony, etc.
The Best Way To Get Government Benefits With A Felony On Your Record
If you are interested in receiving government assistance as a felon, your best bet is to find a re-entry program in your state. Such programs have staff that are experts in finding assistance for felons, and you can find them by searching Google. Other options for getting help with government benefits for felons include local unemployment offices, churches, and community centers. You can also contact the local office of the program you are interested in (Section 8, SNAP, TANF, etc.) to learn more.
Julia Anderson
