What Reentry Job Training Programs May Be Available After Incarceration?
Reentry job training programs funded by the federal government — including the Department of Labor's Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO) program and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) services — may be available to returning citizens depending on your location, offense history, and household situation. Second Chance Month, recognized every April by cities including Philadelphia and dozens of others nationwide, is a useful moment to understand what those programs are and how to access them. This article walks through the major federal and local options, benefit eligibility rules, required documents, and concrete first steps.
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Data Snapshot
The scale of reentry need in the United States is significant. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, more than 600,000 people are released from state and federal prisons each year. The federal government has responded with sustained funding: the Second Chance Act, administered by the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), has awarded more than $500 million in grants since its 2008 enactment to support reentry programs across the country (source: https://bja.ojp.gov/program/second-chance-act/overview). Separately, the Department of Labor's REO program directs competitive grant funding to local workforce organizations serving justice-involved individuals annually. These are not experimental pilots — they represent a durable federal infrastructure built specifically to help people rebuild after incarceration.
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Why Second Chance Month Matters for Practical Benefits Access
Philadelphia's participation in Second Chance Month, coordinated through its Division of Reentry, reflects a broader shift among city and state governments: successful reentry requires more than goodwill. It requires coordinated access to housing, employment, healthcare, and food assistance — often within days of release.
For many returning citizens, the first weeks after release are simultaneously the most critical and the most resource-scarce. Knowing which programs exist, what documents you need, and where to walk in the door can make a meaningful difference in that window. The sections below cover each major program category in plain terms.
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Job Training Programs That May Be Available to Returning Citizens
Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO) — U.S. Department of Labor
The Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO) program, funded by the Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA), provides competitive grants to community organizations that deliver job training, work experience, and employment placement services specifically for justice-involved individuals. REO-funded programs commonly include:
- Occupational skills training in fields such as construction, healthcare support, logistics, and manufacturing
- Transitional jobs that pay real wages while participants build work history
- Case management and barrier-removal support, including help with transportation and identification documents
- Connections to employers who have made fair-chance hiring commitments
To find an REO-funded program near you, contact your local American Job Center (AJC). You can locate your nearest AJC at https://www.careeronestop.org. Staff there are required to serve justice-involved individuals and can tell you which local organizations currently hold REO funding.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) — Title I Adult and Dislocated Worker Programs
WIOA is the primary federal workforce development law, and it explicitly designates justice-involved individuals as a priority population for services. Through WIOA-funded programs at American Job Centers, returning citizens may be able to access:
- Individual Training Accounts (ITAs): Vouchers that may cover tuition and fees at approved training programs, including community colleges and trade schools
- Supportive services: Assistance with transportation, childcare, or work-appropriate clothing during training
- Career counseling, labor market information, and resume assistance
- On-the-job training (OJT) arrangements with participating employers
WIOA programs are administered at the state level through local workforce boards, so funding levels and available training options vary by location. Importantly, income is not always a barrier to WIOA services — many core services are available to any adult job seeker, with priority given to individuals with low incomes or significant barriers to employment, a category that explicitly includes people with criminal records.
Second Chance Act Reentry Programs
The Second Chance Act, reauthorized and expanded under the First Step Act of 2018, funds local nonprofits, government agencies, and tribal organizations to provide a range of reentry services, including:
- Peer mentoring from individuals who have navigated the reentry process themselves
- Transitional housing assistance during the period immediately following release
- Coordination of substance use treatment and mental health services
- Job training and direct job placement support
These programs are community-based and vary widely by location. Philadelphia's Division of Reentry is one example of a city-level office that coordinates access to Second Chance Act-funded services alongside other local resources. To find programs in your area, contact your state's Department of Corrections reentry coordinator, or use the benefit screening tool at https://www.benefits.gov.
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Government Benefits That May Be Available After Incarceration
A widespread misconception is that any criminal record automatically disqualifies a person from all government benefits. That is not accurate — but the rules are genuinely complicated, vary by state, and depend on the type of offense. Here is a program-by-program breakdown.
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
Federal law previously imposed a lifetime ban on SNAP for individuals with certain drug felony convictions. Most states have since modified or eliminated that ban. As of 2024, the majority of states allow people with drug felony convictions to receive SNAP benefits, though a small number still impose partial restrictions.
- SNAP eligibility is generally based on household gross income at or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
- People leaving incarceration with little or no income may meet income thresholds quickly
- Benefit amounts vary by household size and income
- Apply through your state's SNAP agency — find state-specific contact information at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap
Medicaid
In most states, Medicaid coverage is suspended — not terminated — during incarceration. Upon release, coverage may be reinstated, sometimes immediately. In states that have expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, adults with incomes up to 138% of FPL may be eligible regardless of prior convictions.
Many reentry programs now incorporate Medicaid enrollment as part of pre-release planning. If you or a loved one is approaching a release date, ask the facility's case manager about Medicaid reinstatement procedures — some states can process reinstatement before the release date so coverage is active on day one.
Housing Assistance — HUD Programs and Public Housing
Federal law prohibits admission to public housing for individuals convicted of certain specific offenses, including methamphetamine production on federally assisted property and those subject to lifetime sex offender registration requirements. However, Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) retain significant discretion over how they treat many other conviction types, and policies vary considerably by jurisdiction.
- Some PHAs have adopted fair-chance housing policies that limit how far back they look at criminal history or that require individualized assessments
- HUD's Reentry Housing Pilot and related programs specifically target returning citizens for transitional and permanent housing support in participating communities
- Contact your local PHA directly to ask about their current admissions policies for applicants with criminal records — do not assume a blanket denial before asking
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Required Documents to Have Ready
Having the right documents prepared before your first appointment with a reentry program or benefits agency can significantly reduce delays. Most programs and agencies will ask for some combination of the following:
- Government-issued photo ID (state ID or driver's license — many reentry programs specifically help with this if you do not have one)
- Social Security card or documentation of your Social Security number
- Release paperwork from your correctional facility
- Proof of address (a shelter letter, transitional housing confirmation, or a letter from a family member may be accepted)
- Birth certificate
- Any existing benefit cards (Medicaid, SNAP) that may need to be reactivated rather than newly applied for
If you are missing documents, local reentry organizations and legal aid offices may be able to help you obtain them at low or no cost. Do not let missing paperwork stop you from making initial contact with a program — staff at American Job Centers and reentry offices are accustomed to working with people who are starting from scratch.
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How to Take the First Step
The reentry support landscape can feel overwhelming, but the entry points are more accessible than many people realize.
- Contact your local American Job Center — they are federally required to serve justice-involved individuals and can connect you to WIOA training, REO-funded programs, and local reentry services. Find yours at https://www.careeronestop.org.
- Reach out to your city or county reentry office — cities like Philadelphia have dedicated reentry divisions that coordinate across housing, employment, and benefits agencies and can often make warm referrals to specific programs.
- Use Benefits.gov at https://www.benefits.gov to screen for federal programs that may be available based on your household situation, income, and other factors.
- Ask about pre-release planning if you or a loved one is still incarcerated — many facilities have reentry coordinators who can begin the benefits enrollment and housing search process before release.
- Connect with a reentry coalition or legal aid organization in your area — they often have current, on-the-ground knowledge of which local PHAs, employers, and programs are most accessible to people with records right now.
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Program eligibility and availability vary by state. Not affiliated with any government agency.
Last reviewed: July 2025