Are There Grants for Felons in Hawaii? Felons in Hawaii can access reentry housing, education grants, job training programs, and government benefits designed to support successful reintegration after release. Trusted reentry housing providers such as Institute for Human Services (IHS), Going Home Hawai‘i, Women In Need (WIN), and Makana O Ke Akua, along with education grants like the Mānoa Opportunity Grant and Native Hawaiian Tuition Waiver, offer felons in Hawaii multiple pathways to rebuild life after release.
Felons also get access to job training programs like Good Jobs Hawaii, protections under Hawaii’s Ban the Box law, and federal benefits like Pell Grants, SNAP, TANF, and Med-QUEST. These programs collectively provide financial assistance for felons in Hawaii, covering housing, education, food support, healthcare, and employment reentry needs.
Re-Entry and Transitional Housing For Felons in Hawaii
Reentry housing programs for felons in Hawaii like IHS, Going Home Hawaii, WIN and Makana O Ke Akua provide temporary shelter, transitional housing, and case management to help formerly incarcerated individuals rebuild stability after release.
IHS (Institute for Human Services)
Institute for Human Services (IHS) is a well known non-profit organization in Hawaii that offers help to individuals who are experiencing homelessness. The program offers emergency shelter, transitional housing, meals, healthcare access, and reentry-focused support. Felons in Hawaii can get critical help from IHS to rebuild life skills, build stability and transition towards permanent housing.
Eligibility for IHS (Institute for Human Services)
To be eligible for IHS (Institute for Human Services), applicants must be adults, including felons and formerly incarcerated individuals, who are experiencing homelessness in Hawaii. Participants must be willing to follow shelter rules and case management plans.
How To Apply for IHS (Institute for Human Services)?
To apply for IHS (Institute for Human Services, you can simply visit the IHS facility in Honolulu (546 Kaaahi St, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA) for intake or directly call them at +1 808-447-2800 and know about shelter availability and reentry support. To learn more about their programs visit the official website of IHS.
Going Home Hawaii (Big Island)
Going Home Hawai‘i is a nonprofit organization on Hawai‘i Island (Big Island) that offers help to the felons to successfully reintegrate into the society after release. Going Home Hawaii (Big Island) runs various programs helping felons with housing, employment, education, and other supportive services. The main mission is to make individuals self-sufficient and build stability. Going Home Hawaii (Big Island) operates Reentry and Recovery Housing (RRH) with 28 units in Hilo and Kailua-Kona for individuals.
Eligibility For Going Home Hawaii
To be eligible for Going Home Hawaii, individuals who are felons and are willing to participate in structured reentry housing and support programs. However, individuals are required to meet the basic program expectations.
How To Apply For Going Home Hawaii?
To apply for Going Home Hawaii, you can visit their office at 80 Pauahi Street, Suite 207, Hilo, HI 96720 or directly call them on (808) 491-2437 and talk to a staff member about application. To learn more about their programs, application and referrals visit Going Home Hawaii.
Women in Need (WIN)
Women In Need (WIN) is a Hawaii-based nonprofit founded in 1996 offering help to women and families who are dealing with incarceration, domestic violence, homelessness, and substance abuse by providing them with transitional housing, reentry support, counseling, and life-skills development. The main aim of the non-profit is to empower women by helping them to rebuild stability, strengthen self-sufficiency, and transition successfully back into the community after release.
Eligibility For Women in Need (WIN)
To be eligible for Women in Need (WIN), you must be a woman who is justice-involved (including those released from incarceration), must be experiencing homelessness or housing instability and facing substance abuse challenges or domestic violence histories. The participants must be willing to participate in WIN programming (housing, support groups, classes)
How To Apply For Eligibility For Women in Need (WIN)?
To apply for Eligibility For Women in Need (WIN), you can directly call them by phone and know about the current eligibility, intake procedures, transitional housing openings, and supportive services. For Oahu area call on (808) 486-1996 and for Kaua’i area (808) 245-1996. If you further require you can email them at [email protected]. To learn more about their programs visit Women in Need website.
Makana O Ke Akua – Housing Assistance
Makana O Ke Akua is a Hawaii-based faith-driven reentry organization offering support to the felons in Hawaii to easily reintegrate into the community. Additionally, the organization offers programs that focus on spiritual restoration, mentorship, life-skills development, and practical reentry assistance. The faith-based organization helps felons in Hawaii to rebuild their lives and bring stability after incarceration in Hawaii.
Eligibility For Makana O Ke Akua
To be eligible for housing assistance from Makana O Ke Akua, you must be formally incarcerated individuals and felons in Hawaii, reenter the community from jail or prison and must be willing to participate in faith-based mentoring and life-skills programs.
How To Apply For Makana O Ke Akua?
Makana O Ke Akua mainly works on referrals through churches, correctional facilities, or community reentry partners. To know about the current programs and intake steps directly visit Makana O Ke Aku at 91-291 Kalaeloa Blvd #B1, Kapolei, HI 96707. For general queries related to their programs call on 808-778-7652 or visit the website of Makana O Ke Akua.
Education Programs For Felons in Hawaii
Education grants for felons in Hawaii, including the Mānoa Opportunity Grant and Native Hawaiian Tuition Waiver, help reduce tuition costs and improve access to higher education.
Mānoa Opportunity Grant
The Mānoa Opportunity Grant is a need-based financial aid grant offered through University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UH Mānoa to help the eligible students who are struggling to pay for their college fees. Felons in Hawaii can apply for this program, by submitting the FAFSA application. Up to $5,000 grants are offered that helps in reducing the cost of tuition and fees and makes higher education more accessible.
Eligibility For Mānoa Opportunity Grant
To be eligible for Mānoa Opportunity Grant, individuals must be enrolled at least half-time at UH Mānoa, must demonstrate financial need through FAFSA and must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen status. Additionally, the applicant needs to have good academic standing and must be a Hawai’i resident.
How To Apply For Mānoa Opportunity Grant?
To apply for Mānoa Opportunity Grant, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility and collaborate with the UH Mānoa Financial Aid Services to review your award package and required documents. Make sure your enrollment status meets the minimum credit requirement for the award. To learn more about the grant visit the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa.
Native Hawaiian Tuition Waiver
The Native Hawaiian Tuition Waiver is a need-based financial aid benefit offered within the University of Hawaiʻi System that helps in partially or fully waiving tuition costs for students who demonstrate financial need. Students with felony convictions are also eligible for the program if they meet all academic, residency, and financial eligibility requirements. This waiver is mainly directed to the Native Hawaiian students who want to pursue higher education.
Eligibility For Native Hawaiian Tuition Waiver
To be eligible for Native Hawaiian Tuition Waiver, you must have proof of Native Hawaiian ancestry/descent, enrolled in a University of Hawaiʻi System school and meet campus-specific requirements including academic score (GPA- 2.0–2.5).
How To Apply For Native Hawaiian Tuition Waiver?
To apply for Native Hawaiian Tuition Waive, applicants are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to determine eligibility and financial need. Once you submit your FAFSA contact your campus financial aid office or Native Hawaiian student services to apply for the Native Hawaiian Tuition Waiver. For general queries about the waiver call on (808) 956-4288. To learn more visit the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa.
Employment or Job Training Programs for Felons in Hawaii
Job training programs for felons in Hawaii focus on workforce readiness, industry-recognized skills, and fair-chance employment through Workforce Development Division (WDD), Good Jobs Hawaii, First-To-Work (FTW) Program and Ban the Box Law.
Workforce Development Division (WDD)
The Workforce Development Division (WDD) is part of the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR), offers a wide range of programs and services for the jobseekers and employers in Hawaii. Additionally, WDD offers job seekers career counseling, job search assistance, free resume support, interview workshops, skills training and referrals. WDD might not have a dedicated program for Felons, but it offers job search and support services to everyone, including people with criminal records.
There are no specific eligibility requirements for the Workforce Development Division (WDD). Everyone is free to use their services. You just need to find the nearest American Job Center and register on HireNet Hawaii to access training resources and job matches. To learn more about their services visit the official website of WDD.
Good Jobs Hawaii
Good Jobs Hawaii is a state-funded workforce development program that helps individuals in Hawaii with low-cost job training that help them enter the workforce with well-paying jobs. The main focus of the program lays on industries like healthcare, information technology, skilled trades, clean energy, and business services. Along with training, they also offer career coaching, job placement support, and other supportive services to gain long term employment.
Eligibility For Good Jobs Hawaii
To be eligible for Good Jobs Hawaii, applicants must be Hawaii residents, 18 years old, currently unemployed or underemployed or have low income. The applicants must be willing to participate in training and are authorized to work in the United States.
How To Apply For Good Jobs Hawaii?
To apply for Good Jobs Hawaii, simply visit the official Good Jobs Hawaii website and fill up the form to apply for training. You will get connected to a career navigator or workforce partner who will further assess you for an eligible training program and also help with the enrollment. Once you complete the training, you will receive job placement assistance.
First-To-Work (FTW) Program — Hawaii
The First-To-Work (FTW) Program is a work preparation and employment support program monitored by the Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS). This program works under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) framework and offers help to the work-eligible individuals and families with employment and self-sufficiency. Felons in Hawaii can participate in the First-To-Work (FTW) Program, if they are already a recipient of the TANF program. FTW also focuses on job readiness, skills training, vocational education, and job placement in collaboration with non-profits and other organizations.
Eligibility For First-To-Work (FTW) Program
To participate in the First-To-Work Program in Hawaii, individuals must be a work-eligible individual (WEI) from a TANF recipient household, be able to work or participate in work activities and must meet additional program requirements as determined by the DHS case managers.
How to Apply For a First-To-Work (FTW) Program?
To apply for the First-To-Work (FTW) Program, you need to contact your Hawaii DHS Benefit, Employment & Support Services Division (BESSD) office or TANF worker. Express your interest to participate in the program during assessment and complete the required intake paperwork. The assigned case manager will further guide you with an employment plan. To learn more about the program visit the Department of Human Services – Hawaii
Ban the Box Law in Hawaii
Hawaii has one of the strongest Ban the Box laws in the United States that is designed to protect the job seekers having felony records from early discrimination before hiring. Under the Ban the Box law in Hawaii, employers cannot ask applicants about criminal history on job application or during the interview. Employers can only inquire about the convictions records after placing a job offer based on the skills and experience of the applicant. Therefore it is a great law for the felons in Hawaii to rebuild their lives and live with dignity.
National Programs For Felons in Hawaii
Federal assistance programs for felons in Hawaii include Pell Grants, SNAP food assistance, TANF cash support, Medicaid (Med-QUEST), and Second Chance Act reentry grants.
The Federal Pell Grant – Second Chance Pell For Felons
The Federal Pell Grant is a need-based U.S. federal financial aid that is offered to the undergraduate students in Hawaii to pursue certifications or higher education, the max awards reaching up to $7,395. Students need to register for the FAFSA application. Individuals who are currently incarcerated in Hawaii can get access to the Pell Grant through the Second Chance Pell initiative inside prison or after release. To learn more visit https://studentaid.gov/
SNAP For Felons in Hawaii
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) administered by the Hawaii Department of Human Services, offers help to the low income households in Hawaii to purchase nutritious food using an EBT card. Felons are eligible for SNAP, if they meet basic program rules. However, people convicted of certain drug-related felonies may face additional conditions. You can apply for SNAP online using the PAIS website or by calling the toll-free hotline at 1-855-643-1643.
TANF For Felons in Hawaii
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) offering monthly cash assistance to the eligible low income families with children including felons. Remember, having a felony conviction does not automatically disqualify someone from TANF. If the felons meet the program eligibility criteria, then they are eligible to receive benefits from TANF. TANF is administered by the Hawaii Department of Human Services through the First-to-Work Program. You can apply for TANF online using the PAIS website or by calling the toll-free number at 1-855-643-1643.
The Federal Bonding Program In Hawaii
The Federal Bonding Program In Hawaii helps job seekers with criminal records to get easily hired by reducing the risk of the employer. The fidelity bonds protect the employers against any theft caused by the employee for the first six months. The Federal Bonding Program in Hawaii is coordinated through the U.S. Department of Labor and local workforce development offices. Employers do not have to pay anything and thus it is one of the powerful incentives that helps individuals to find jobs without worrying about past convictions. To apply, contact your local American Job Center (AJC) and request a Federal Bonding Program application.
Med-QUEST
Medicaid is known as Med-QUEST, administered by the Hawaii Department of Human Services. Having a felony record will not disqualify you from receiving Med-QUEST benefits. Medicaid offers low-cost healthcare to individuals that includes doctor visits, hospital care, mental health services, substance use treatment, and prescription drugs. Recently released individuals, unemployed felons, and those without employer-sponsored insurance can apply for Medicaid in Hawaii by visiting the Hawaii Medicaid page. You can use the contact information regarding your application and eligibility.
Second Chance Act Grants
The Second Chance Act Grants support reentry program helping people with felony convictions easily reintegrate into the community. The federal funded grants used to cover for services like employment training, substance abuse treatment, housing assistance, and mentoring. The organization in Hawai’i, receives Second Chance Act funding through the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs. For general queries about the availability of the grant call on (808) 587-1288
Bottom Line
A felony record does not close the door to a stable future in Hawaii, there are reentry housing, education grants, job training, and public benefits designed to help out felons in Hawaii. Hawaii offers multiple programs where individuals with felony records can apply if they meet the basic program criteria. Programs like Institute for Human Services (IHS), Going Home Hawai‘i, and Women In Need (WIN) provide safe housing and reentry support. Education programs like Mānoa Opportunity Grant and Native Hawaiian Tuition Waiver help felons to reduce their college costs. It is recommended to apply for the programs as early as possible and build a bright future ahead forgetting about your past.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Can felons in Hawaii get grants after release?
Yes. Felons in Hawaii can apply for reentry housing assistance, education grants, job training programs, and public benefits after release. There are programs by the federal government, non-profits and state agencies, but applicants need to meet the eligibility requirements of the program.
What is the best help for felons after release in Hawaii?
The best programs for felons after release in Hawaii are reentry housing programs, education grants, job training services, and public benefits such as SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid.
Are there housing assistance programs for felons in Hawaii?
Yes, there are housing assistance programs for felons in Hawaii like Institute for Human Services, Going Home Hawai‘i, and Women In Need offering shelter, case management, and long-term housing stability.
Can felons in Hawaii qualify for college grants or tuition assistance?
Yes. Felons in Hawaii can qualify for college grants and tuition waiver through the Mānoa Opportunity Grant and the Native Hawaiian Tuition Waiver. However, applicants must submit their FAFSA application.
Are incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals eligible for Pell Grants in Hawaii?
Yes, incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals are eligible for Pell Grants in Hawaii through the Second Chance Pell initiative. The financial aid can be used to pursue college or vocational education during or after incarceration.
Do felony convictions affect SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid eligibility in Hawaii?
Remember, a felony conviction does not automatically disqualify someone from SNAP (food stamps), TANF cash assistance, or Med-QUEST (Hawaii Medicaid). Eligibility depends on income, household size and other program rules.
Are there job training programs for felons in Hawaii?
Yes, felons in Hawaii can get access to job training programs through Good Jobs Hawaii, Workforce Development Division (WDD) services, and the First-To-Work Program, offering skills training, career coaching, and job placement support.
What is Ban the Box in Hawaii and how does it help felons?
Ban the Box Law prevents employers in Hawaii from knowing about the criminal history of job seekers on applications or during interviews. The employers can only ask about criminal history after placing a conditional job offer. Thus, it gives felons a fair chance to get selected based on their skills and experience.
Where can felons in Hawaii find reentry help and grant applications?
Felons in Hawaii can find reentry or applicants’ help by contacting local nonprofits, American Job Centers, university financial aid offices, and the Hawaii Department of Human Services. It is recommended to apply for the programs with the guidance of your case manager.
How to get emergency help for Felons in Hawaii?
To get emergency help for felons in Hawaii, simply connect to Aloha United Way 211, it is a free and confidential statewide helpline that connects you with housing, food and other basic assistance.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not guarantee eligibility or approval for any grant, housing, or assistance program. Program availability, eligibility criteria, and benefits may change over time. Applicants should contact the respective nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, or government agencies directly before applying.
