Second Chance Act Reentry Programs: What Returning Citizens Need to Know About Job Training and Benefits
The Second Chance Act (SCA), originally passed in 2008 and reauthorized through the First Step Act era, is the primary federal law funding reentry programs designed to reduce recidivism and help people leaving incarceration rebuild stable lives. If you or someone you love is preparing for release or recently returned home, Second Chance Act-funded programs may help you learn about job training, transitional housing, substance use treatment, and workforce services that may be available in your area. This article breaks down what the law funds, which agencies run the programs, and the concrete steps you can take right now.
---
What the Second Chance Act Actually Funds
The Second Chance Act authorizes the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to award competitive grants to state and local governments, nonprofits, and tribal organizations. These grants pay for:
- Reentry planning that begins inside correctional facilities before release
- Transitional housing and case management services post-release
- Substance use disorder treatment and mental health services
- Job training and employment placement programs
- Mentoring and peer support services
- Family reunification programming
Grants are administered locally, which means the specific programs available to you depend heavily on where you are released and where you plan to live. The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) maintains a directory of current SCA grantees that your case manager or public defender may be able to help you locate.
---
American Job Centers: Your First Stop for Workforce Services
Regardless of whether a Second Chance Act program operates in your county, every returning citizen has access to the American Job Center (AJC) network — a nationwide system of over 2,300 publicly funded career centers operating under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
AJCs are free to use and offer:
- Career counseling and skills assessments
- Resume writing and interview coaching
- Job search assistance and employer connections
- WIOA Individual Training Accounts (ITAs) — grants that may cover tuition for approved training programs
WIOA Training Grants for Returning Citizens
WIOA does not automatically bar people with felony convictions from receiving services, though individual states may have restrictions on specific training programs (such as those leading to licensed occupations). WIOA Title I Adult and Dislocated Worker programs may provide funding for training in high-demand fields including healthcare support, construction trades, IT, and logistics.
To access WIOA training funds, you typically need to:
- Visit your local AJC (find it at careeronestop.org)
- Complete an intake assessment
- Work with a career counselor to identify an approved training program
- Apply for an Individual Training Account if eligible
Benefit amounts vary by program, state, and individual circumstance — there is no single national dollar figure for WIOA training grants.
---
Public Benefits Returning Citizens May Be Able to Access
Navigating public benefits after incarceration is complicated. Federal law restricts some programs based on conviction type, but many restrictions are less absolute than people assume — and states have significant flexibility to expand access.
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
The federal lifetime ban on SNAP for people with felony drug convictions was modified by the 2018 Farm Bill, which allowed states to opt out of the ban entirely or modify it. As of now, most states have fully or partially lifted this restriction. Your eligibility for SNAP will depend on your state's current policy, your household size, and income relative to 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for gross income. Apply through your state's SNAP agency or at benefits.gov.
Medicaid
People leaving incarceration may be eligible for Medicaid, particularly in states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Coverage generally cannot begin while someone is incarcerated, but enrollment can start at release. In expansion states, eligibility extends to adults with incomes up to 138% of FPL. Some states have pre-release enrollment programs that allow people to apply before their release date.
SSI and SSDI
If you have a disability, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments are suspended during incarceration but may be reinstated after release. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a Pre-Release Agreement program that allows correctional facilities to help residents apply for reinstatement before they leave. Contact your facility's social worker or the SSA directly at ssa.gov.
What's Generally Not Available
Federal public housing and Section 8 vouchers have restrictions for people with certain drug-related or violent felony convictions, though individual Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) have discretion. Pell Grants for higher education are available to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals following the 2023 restoration of eligibility.
---
If You're Denied: What to Do Next
Denials happen — and they are not always final. Here's what to do:
- SNAP denial: Request a fair hearing through your state SNAP agency within the timeframe listed on your denial notice (typically 90 days).
- Medicaid denial: Request a state fair hearing. Legal aid organizations can often assist at no cost.
- WIOA services: Speak with the AJC's grievance coordinator. WIOA requires each center to have a formal complaint process.
- SSI/SSDI denial: File a Request for Reconsideration within 60 days. If denied again, request an Administrative Law Judge hearing.
Local legal aid offices, reentry coalitions, and law school clinics frequently provide free assistance with benefit appeals for returning citizens.
---
How to Find Second Chance Act Programs Near You
- Ask your case manager or parole/probation officer — they often have direct referral relationships with SCA grantees.
- Contact your local AJC — staff are trained to connect job seekers with community reentry resources.
- Call 211 — this free helpline connects callers to local social services including reentry programs.
- Search the BJA's grant database at bja.ojp.gov to identify funded organizations in your state.
- Visit benefits.gov to screen for federal programs you may be eligible for based on your situation.
---
Program eligibility and availability vary by state. Not affiliated with any government agency.
Last reviewed: May 2026