EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, FOOD, HOUSING
EDUCATION
|
Every college has an admissions office and a financial aid office. Once it is determined that you can be admitted into the college you have chosen, you will need to sign up for a Federal Pell Grant. Individuals with background issues can get funding to go to school just like anyone else. Be sure to do all the necessary research so that you know that the degree or diploma you are working towards will allow you to find employment in the future.
It is important to note that the skills you obtain from an education will be more valuable than the actual degree itself. For that reason, pursuing a degree at a vocational or community college is highly suggested. Higher degrees will require certifications or licenses before pursuing careers in those fields. Unfortunately, these are unlikely to be granted to a convicted felon. For example, an accounting degree is nice, but getting certified as a CPA will be a problem. So the best thing to do is look for fields that allow growth. |
|
Welding, Construction, Barbering, Cosmetology, Culinary, Machine Shop, Electrical, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), Mechanical, Industrial, and General Carpentry fields are where you will most likely find the best opportunities if you have a criminal background. If you possess a strong desire to help others, counseling career opportunities can be found in the Substance Abuse, Ministry, and Legal fields. If none of those suit you, then the Entertainment or Trucking industries might be better options. And if fitness is important to you, it is a fairly simple process to become a Certified Personal Trainer.
These are merely suggestions and do not reflect all possible career fields open to individuals with criminal backgrounds. Along with those listed above, the sky rocketing growth in technology and work from home opportunities is creating the best scenario for those with interests in this area. A few programming courses will take you far if you apply yourself and enlist help from others who have become successful working on and with computers.
Feel free to reach out to us here for advice in getting back on your feet and finding direction for yourself in the job market.
EMPLOYMENT
There is no list of companies that hire felons. Beware if you run across one. Mostly it's about who you know. Temporary services are the best way to get in the door and enter the working world again or maybe even for the first time. You can find these listed in your local phone book under "staffing companies" or "employment agencies." As long as you have a working phone number, address, and a couple of solid references you will be off to a good start. However, you will want to work on building a good resume for future opportunities.
Odd jobs such as cutting grass or other simple labor services are also an excellent option. Any skills that you have can lead you to becoming self-employed. Be reliable and do quality work. Building great business references will take you a long way. Keeping a portfolio (before and after photos) of your work is also a great way to prove your abilities and find new customers.
Resources on self-employment... The SBA or Small Business Administration is a Federal government entity that has many resources to help one start a business. However, the SBA will not give any loan to a convicted felon. Either find a good partner or get to work on a business plan. If it is well-written, you may be able to attract Angel investors.
FOOD
(Updated January 2016. Please check with your local office for possible changes.)
|
"Section 115 of Public Law 104-193, The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (the welfare law), prohibits anyone convicted of a drug-related felony (after August 22, 1996) from receiving either federally-funded cash assistance through the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program or food stamps (SNAP). Although states may opt-out of or modify the ban, the law creates a lifetime ban for individuals with these types of convictions, many of whom were in a period of active addiction while they obtained their drug felony conviction(s)."
States in which you currently cannot receive TANF if you have a felony drug conviction are: Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. All other states have modified the ban or eliminated it entirely. |
|
14 states have enacted laws that now allow people with drug felony convictions to receive TANF:
Alabama, Kansas, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, And Wyoming
Alabama, Kansas, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, And Wyoming
24 states have amended the ban to allow individuals who meet certain criteria to receive TANF:
Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, and Wisconsin.
Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, and Wisconsin.
Section 115 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996 prohibited States from providing Food Stamps (now the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP) to convicted drug felons unless the State passes legislation to extend benefits to these individuals.
Only the following 4 States have kept the welfare ban for SNAP entirely in place:
Arizona, Mississippi, South Carolina, and West Virginia. All other States have modified the ban or have eliminated it entirely.
Arizona, Mississippi, South Carolina, and West Virginia. All other States have modified the ban or have eliminated it entirely.
The following 20 States and the District of Columbia have eliminated the SNAP ban entirely:
Alabama, California, Delaware, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming.
Alabama, California, Delaware, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming.
The following 26 States have amended the SNAP ban to allow some individuals to regain eligibility by meeting certain additional requirements, like receiving or completing drug or alcohol treatment:
Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin.
Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin.
HOUSING
On January 5, 2011, during an Interagency Reentry Council Meeting, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan reminded council members that “this is an Administration that believes in the importance of second chances.” He further stated, “And at HUD, part of that support means helping ex-offenders gain access to one of the most fundamental building blocks of a stable life – a place to live.”
There are only two convictions for which a PHA (Public Housing Authority) MUST prohibit admission – those are:
• If any member of the household is subject to a lifetime registration requirement under a State sex offender registration program; and,
• If any household member has ever been convicted of drug-related criminal activity for manufacture or production of methamphetamine on the premises of federally assisted housing.
• If any member of the household is subject to a lifetime registration requirement under a State sex offender registration program; and,
• If any household member has ever been convicted of drug-related criminal activity for manufacture or production of methamphetamine on the premises of federally assisted housing.
Other housing opportunities do exist. Look for transitional housing, halfway houses and recovery or sober-living houses. A lot of the programs listed on this site offer housing assistance.
