In some states, there are social service programs offered to low income families that may help ease the burden of utility payments.
If you have a felony conviction, this won’t be an issue of concern when applying for these programs as they often do not conduct any type of background check in terms of criminal history.
While not all states offer these services, there are some the do. In Dallas, Texas, for example, if you dial 2-1-1 you’ll be connected with a community hotline of support services. Within this hotline you can obtain information on rental payment assistance programs, discount phone assistance and even information on utility payment assistance. Financial distress is, obviously, the key factor with obtaining these benefits but, in most cases, there is no impact on your eligibility in terms of prior felony convictions.
So, if you are facing challenges in finding work – or simply struggling to make ends meet this summer – then contact your local social services office and see if there is a similar program in your area.
In many major cities, the services of programs like “2-1-1″ are making a large impact on the health and livelihood of many needy families, including those who are living with a felony and unable to find a job.
