If you’re a felon in Delaware, you have several options for grants that can support your journey toward self-sufficiency. Programs like the General Assistance program offer urgent cash support, while organizations such as Help For Felons provide additional resources.
For those interested in entrepreneurship, national grants like the TRANSFORM Business Grant can offer funding and mentorship. You’ll need to investigate these opportunities further to determine eligibility and application processes.
Key Takeaways
- Delaware Family Reentry Program offers subsidized housing to justice-involved individuals, prioritizing stable housing as a key to reducing recidivism.
- Low-income individuals with criminal histories can access housing assistance by documenting needs, criminal background, and rehabilitation efforts.
- Project New Start and Re-entry Court provide case management, job training, and supervised release, helping participants secure employment and housing.
- Delaware Bar Foundation and Community Legal Aid Society offer pro bono legal help and education on rights for those reentering society.
- Entrepreneurial grants like the TRANSFORM Business Grant and LEAP Virtual Entrepreneurial Academy support business development for justice-involved individuals.
Overview of the Delaware Family Reentry Program
The Delaware Family Reentry Program (FRP) is specifically designed to help individuals with recent involvement in the criminal justice system reunite with their families through subsidized housing, recognizing that stable housing is a crucial factor in reducing recidivism.
This program partners with five Public Housing Authorities across Delaware to promote housing stability for eligible participants.
To qualify, you must be a U.S. citizen or have eligible immigration status, live in Delaware, have been released or involved with the justice system within three years, and have a close family member in PHA-assisted housing.
Referrals come from the Department of Correction or approved providers.
Eligibility Requirements for Participation
Although eligibility requirements vary by program, grants and housing assistance for felons in Delaware generally require you to demonstrate financial need and have a low income.
To participate, you should consider the following:
- Citizenship or Immigration Status: Most nonprofit organizations and government programs require you to be a U.S. citizen or have an eligible immigration status.
- Criminal History and Rehabilitation: Be prepared to provide documentation of your criminal history and efforts toward rehabilitation.
- Incarceration Status: Some grants specifically serve individuals recently released or currently under community supervision.
Review each program’s eligibility requirements carefully before applying.
How to Apply and Get Assistance
You’ll start by verifying your eligibility through required documentation like income and residency proofs.
Then, you can submit your application online via centralized platforms such as Delaware.AffordableHousing.com or through designated state websites, depending on the program.
After submission, keep track of your status and be prepared to provide additional information or attend briefings as needed for housing and assistance programs.
Eligibility Verification Process
When you apply for grants as a felon in Delaware, you need to first demonstrate financial need and meet income criteria specific to each program.
As part of the eligibility verification process, you’ll typically need to provide several documents:
- Documentation of Incarceration: Proof of previous incarceration.
- Rehabilitation Efforts: Evidence of rehabilitation efforts made during or after incarceration.
- Application Form: A completed application form available on program websites or through community organizations.
Application Submission Steps
To apply for grants as a felon in Delaware, you should first research relevant programs such as the Second Chance Act Grant Program and the Delaware Bar Foundation’s Community Grants Program.
Start your application by verifying eligibility based on financial need and program criteria.
For housing assistance, submit applications online via Delaware’s centralized platform, Delaware.AffordableHousing.com, where you create a free account and complete pre-applications.
For cash aid like TANF or SNAP food benefits, apply through the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services online forms.
Medicaid applications require documentation proving income and citizenship or legal status.
Follow instructions carefully and track your application status.
Support and Resources
- For housing support, contact HUD to find affordable housing or apply for Section 8 housing programs that require meeting low-income criteria.
- Apply through the Delaware Division of Social Services for cash assistance like TANF or General Assistance, which have income eligibility rules.
- Seek food, utility, and healthcare help by applying for SNAP, LIHEAP, and Medicaid programs, with some automatically granting Lifeline phone bill support if qualified.
These programs offer structured support to aid your reentry and stability.
Collaboration Among Housing Authorities and Justice Agencies
As you investigate grants and programs for felons in Delaware, you’ll notice a strong emphasis on collaboration between housing authorities and justice agencies, often supported by broader federal initiatives that promote successful reentry.
This coordination helps ensure stable housing access through interagency referrals and consistent supervision standards, while also addressing the needs of former service members transitioning from incarceration to civilian life.
Programs such as the Delaware Family Reentry Program further support this process by connecting participants with essential health services, including mental health care, substance use treatment, and benefits navigation, enabling smoother reintegration and long-term stability.
Coordinated Housing Access
While housing instability significantly increases the risk of recidivism, Delaware’s coordinated approach brings together five Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), the Department of Correction (DOC), and other agencies to improve access to stable housing for people recently involved with the criminal justice system.
By uniting state housing and justice organizations, the program creates a community-wide safety net that reduces barriers for returning citizens.
- You become eligible only if a DOC referral or DOC-approved provider connects you to the program, ensuring seamless coordination between corrections and housing authorities from the start.
- You can reunite with close family living in PHA-assisted housing, giving you immediate stability and a support network essential for successful reintegration.
- Multiple organizations—including the Delaware Center for Justice and local PHAs—work in concert to review applications and monitor progress, embodying Delaware’s commitment to collaborative, evidence-based solutions for reentry.
Interagency Referral Process
To successfully navigate Delaware’s Family Reentry Program, you’ll need to understand the interagency referral process that connects housing authorities with justice agencies.
This process primarily involves referrals made by the Department of Correction (DOC) or DOC-approved providers, ensuring individuals recently involved in the criminal justice system get appropriate support.
Five Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) collaborate with various state agencies to stabilize housing for returning citizens, aiming to reduce recidivism linked to housing instability.
Family members in PHA-assisted housing can check eligibility for their loved ones, while each PHA provides dedicated contact points for streamlined coordination.
Supportive Supervision Standards
Supportive supervision hinges on active collaboration between the five Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) and justice agencies to guarantee returning citizens comply with community supervision terms while receiving customized support.
This collaboration involves both state and federal initiatives, ensuring comprehensive assistance.
In New Castle County, for instance, you can benefit from:
- Unified Eligibility Criteria: Each PHA has specific requirements.
- Customized Support: Programs are designed based on individual needs.
- Holistic Approach: Combining housing and justice entities to improve reintegration outcomes.
Other Community Support Programs for Justice-Involved Individuals
| Program | Focus |
|---|---|
| Delaware Family Reentry Pilot Program | Housing stability and family support |
| Re-entry Court | Supervised release and intensive services |
| Project New Start | Recidivism reduction through case management |
| Community Reentry Services | Job training and housing assistance |
Legal and Educational Resources for Reentry Success
Although traversing the legal system can feel intimidating, Delaware offers several targeted resources to support individuals during reentry by addressing their legal and educational needs.
Here are some key resources:
- Pro Bono Legal Assistance: The Delaware Bar Foundation partners with organizations to provide free legal services.
- Trial Advocacy Training: The Community Legal Aid Society improves legal representation for formerly incarcerated individuals.
- Civic Education: The Delaware Law Related Education Center educates reentering individuals about citizenship rights and responsibilities.
Business Grants and Entrepreneurial Support for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals
When you’re building a business as a formerly incarcerated individual in Delaware, there are several resources available that can help you get started.
You can apply for business grants like the TRANSFORM Business Grant, which supports entrepreneurs from systemically oppressed groups, including formerly incarcerated people, offering funding plus mentorship.
The LEAP Virtual Entrepreneurial Academy is another option, providing business skills training and cash prizes for women. To increase your chances, you’ll need to provide proof of eligibility such as incarceration and rehabilitation documentation.
Additionally, entrepreneurial support organizations such as HelpForFelons.org and Defy Ventures offer training, mentorship, and guidance.
Local Small Business Development Centers can also assist with grant applications and provide free or low-cost business training.
Impact and Success Stories of Delaware Reentry Initiatives
Delaware’s reentry initiatives have made a measurable impact on the lives of formerly incarcerated individuals by significantly reducing recidivism and improving employment outcomes.
Project New Start stands out with a recidivism rate of just 22%, far below Delaware’s state average of 76%. Over 90% of its graduates secure jobs, directly linking program participation to workforce integration and stability.
The Delaware Center for Justice amplifies this progress by supporting expungement efforts, clearing criminal records to boost employment prospects.
The Delaware Family Reentry Program and La Esperanza further address housing and citizenship barriers, creating holistic pathways for successful community reintegration.
State-by-State Grants for Felons: Quick Summary of Support & Eligibility
| Alabama | Discusses Alabama grants and assistance for felons reentering society, including employment and training programs. |
| Alaska | Covers Alaska support for felons, including workforce grants, housing aid, and reintegration resources. |
| Arizona | Explains Arizona assistance and grants aimed at felons for job training, education, and reintegration help. |
| Arkansas | Summarizes Arkansas programs and grants that help felons with employment access and reentry support. |
| California | Details California grants and financial aid options for felons seeking education, jobs, or housing support. |
| Colorado | Covers Colorado’s felon grant resources, workforce training funds, and reintegration aid information. |
| Connecticut | Discusses Connecticut’s financial support and program options for felons, including training and placement. |
| Florida | Explains Florida grants and support programs for felons, focusing on jobs, training, and reentry resources. |
| Georgia | Details Georgia programs and available grants for felons seeking employment and life stability support. |
| Hawaii | Covers Hawaii assistance options for felons including grants for job readiness and reintegration services. |
| Idaho | Summarizes Idaho support for felons, including employment grants, training help, and reintegration aid. |
| Illinois | Explains Illinois felon grant options, workforce development funds, and reentry program support. |
| Indiana | Discusses Indiana assistance for felons including job training, grants, and reintegration resources. |
| Iowa | Summarizes Iowa felon grant programs, employment training funds, and reintegration supports. |
| Kansas | Covers Kansas resources and grants for felons focusing on job placement and life skills aid. |
| Kentucky | Explains Kentucky assistance and grant opportunities for felons seeking work and stability. |
| Louisiana | Details Louisiana support programs and felon grants for workforce access and reentry help. |
| Maine | Summarizes Maine grants and assistance for felons including training and income support options. |
| Maryland | Covers Maryland felon support programs with grant info for employment and reintegration. |
| Massachusetts | Explains Massachusetts grants and funding for felons for work, education, and reintegration. |
| Michigan | Details Michigan assistance options and grant programs for felons seeking jobs and stability. |
| Minnesota | Summarizes Minnesota felon grant resources including job training and reentry support. |
| Mississippi | Covers Mississippi assistance for felons including grants and workforce training options. |
| Missouri | Explains Missouri grant and support programs available to felons for employment and reintegration. |
| Montana | Summarizes Montana assistance and grant programs for felons including training and placement help. |
| Nebraska | Details Nebraska resources for felons with grant info for work readiness and reintegration. |
| Nevada | Covers Nevada assistance programs and felon grants focusing on employment and reintegration aid. |
| New Hampshire | Summarizes New Hampshire felon support, including grant programs for job training and reintegration. |
| New Jersey | Explains New Jersey felon grant opportunities with a focus on job readiness and support services. |
| New Mexico | Covers New Mexico resources and grant programs for felons aimed at employment and reintegration. |
| New York | Summarizes New York felon grant options for education, jobs, and support during reentry. |
| North Carolina | Details North Carolina’s felon support and grant programs for work, training and reintegration. |
| North Dakota | Covers North Dakota assistance and grants for felons focusing on employment and stability. |
| Ohio | Explains Ohio’s felon grant resources for job training, education, and reentry aid. |
| Oklahoma | Summarizes Oklahoma support programs and free grant info for felons seeking employment. |
| Oregon | Covers Oregon’s felon grants and assistance programs for training, jobs, and reintegration help. |
| Pennsylvania | Details Pennsylvania grant and support options for felons involving job readiness and aid. |
| Rhode Island | Summarizes Rhode Island’s felon support, including grants for workforce training and reintegration. |
| South Carolina | Covers South Carolina felon grant programs focusing on jobs, skills, and reentry support. |
| South Dakota | Explains South Dakota assistance grants for felons, including training and job access support. |
| Tennessee | Summarizes Tennessee felon grants and workforce programs for reentry success. |
| Texas | Details Texas felon support grants, employment assistance, and training program coverage. |
| Utah | Covers Utah’s felon grant resources focusing on job training and reintegration help. |
| Vermont | Summarizes Vermont assistance grants for felons including work support and training. |
| Virginia | Explains Virginia’s felon grants and workforce supports including reintegration aid. |
| Washington | Covers Washington state felon assistance programs and relevant grants for job, training, and stability. |
| West Virginia | Summarizes West Virginia felon support and grant programs focused on employment and skills. |
| Wisconsin | Details Wisconsin felon grant resources for training, employment, and community reintegration. |
| Wyoming | Covers Wyoming’s grant options and assistance programs for felons seeking employment support. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What Grants Can Felons Get?
You can access felon resources like HUD housing assistance including Section 8 vouchers, TANF cash grants, SNAP food assistance, Medicaid healthcare, and Lifeline phone support, plus employment opportunities through Delaware’s Community Reintegration Services Program for probation clients.
What Is the Second Chance Act Grant Money?
The Second Chance Act provides grant money to support reentry programs, helping you access funding for initiatives like transitional services and mentoring. You can apply if you meet Grant Eligibility criteria for community-based programs.
What Is the Work Opportunity Tax Credit in Delaware?
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit in Delaware lets you earn tax credit eligibility by hiring individuals from specific target groups, offering employment incentives up to $9,600 based on hours worked and group classification. You must submit IRS Form 8850 within 28 days of hiring to qualify.
What Is the Hardship Grant for Felons in Georgia?
If you’re a felon in Georgia seeking hardship assistance, you may qualify for financial support through specific reentry programs, but there’s no statewide “Hardship Grant” just for felons—eligibility depends on conviction type, current status, and demonstrated need.
Conclusion
You can utilize grants like the Delaware Family Reentry Program and business-focused initiatives such as the TRANSFORM Business Grant to secure housing, employment, and entrepreneurial support after incarceration. For example, imagine Sarah, recently released and enrolled in the Family Reentry Program, who used the TRANSFORM grant to start a landscaping business, gaining mentorship and funds to thrive. These programs showcase Delaware’s evidence-based approach to empowering formerly incarcerated individuals and reducing recidivism.