Free resources for housing, jobs, expungement, and more
Guides and information to help you move forward after a record.
50 states + D.C.158 cities4067+ pagesfree, no sign-up
Second Chance Pathfinder
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Reentry Checklist
Just released or releasing soon? Build a free preparation checklist with practical questions, progress tracking and optional browser saving.
Housing
- second chance apartments (144 cities)
- eviction-friendly apartments (144 cities)
- halfway houses (139 cities)
- transitional housing (141 cities)
- Section 8 housing — how to apply
- Housing Choice Voucher guide
- Section 8 income limits (2026)
- rooms for rent with a criminal record
- cosigner for an apartment — how it works + 7 alternatives
- no credit check apartments & rentals
- low income apartments & affordable housing
- ...and 144+ cities with housing guides→
Jobs & Employment
- companies that hire felons (search by company)
- jobs for felons in Texas — all 50 states
- felony friendly jobs in Houston
- felony friendly jobs in Chicago
- felony friendly jobs in Atlanta
- trucking companies that hire felons
- restaurants that hire felons
- staffing & temp agencies that hire felons
- retail stores that hire felons
- gig & delivery apps that hire felons
- manufacturing & industrial jobs
- ...and 498+ company + city + state guides→
Rights & Eligibility
- can a felon get a passport?
- can a felon vote?
- can a felon own a gun?
- can a felon hunt? (bow, crossbow, muzzleloader)
- can a felon get a CDL?
- can a felon be a nurse?
- can a felon travel abroad?
- child support calculator & official state tools
- can a felon get a professional license?
- free legal aid by state (51 guides)
Transportation & Driving
- DUI laws & penalties by state (50 states + DC)
- find a DUI lawyer
- DUI license recovery by state (map + table)
- SR-22 insurance — requirements and cheapest options
- license reinstatement by state
- buy here pay here car lots (100 cities)
- car insurance after DUI
- car insurance with no license
- car insurance with a suspended license
- car loan with bad credit
- ignition interlock device requirements (50 states + DC)
- driving on a suspended license
- ...and 15+ DUI & insurance guides→
Background Checks
- what shows up on a background check?
- how far back do background checks go?
- free background check — how to check your record
- how much does a background check cost?
- will a misdemeanor show on a background check?
- apartments with no background check
- employment vs apartment background checks
- how to check your own criminal record
- how long do background checks take?
- how to dispute a background check error
Criminal Law Basics
- find a criminal defense lawyer
- bail bonds -- how bail works + calculator
- felony vs misdemeanor — what's the difference?
- felony classes and degrees explained
- is it a felony? common crimes classified
- is a dui a felony? when dui becomes a felony (50 states)
- is domestic violence a felony? when it becomes a felony (50 states)
- is theft a felony? dollar thresholds and penalties (50 states)
- plea bargains -- how plea deals work
- public defenders -- your right to a free lawyer
- how to check for warrants (free search)
- how to remove mugshots from the internet
- ...and 30+ "is it a felony?" crime guides→
Food & Benefits
- how to apply for food stamps (SNAP) + benefit calculator
- food banks near me
- cheapest grocery stores + how to stretch EBT
- WIC benefits — who qualifies?
- EBT card — check balance and where to use
- free meals and food pantries
- P-EBT and Summer EBT (SUN Bucks)
- California SNAP / CalFresh
- Texas SNAP / food stamps
- Florida SNAP / food stamps
- New York SNAP / food stamps
Banking & Credit
- second chance bank accounts
- cash advance apps compared (17 apps)
- credit builders compared
- prepaid debit cards compared
- secured credit cards
- how to rebuild credit from nothing
- banks that don't use ChexSystems
- wage garnishment calculator (50 states)
- payday loan alternatives
- predatory lending guide
- bankruptcy basics: Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13
- free tax help & filing for low-income
- ...and 4+ money guides→
Education & Training
- how to get your GED
- trade schools and vocational programs
- Pell Grant — eligibility and how to apply
- CDL training programs
- apprenticeship programs
- free online courses and certifications
- scholarships for people with criminal records
- FAFSA guide — financial aid for college
- CNA certification (nursing assistant)
- vocational rehabilitation programs
- ...and 9+ trade & certification guides→
Safety & Protection
- domestic violence lawyer — free legal help
- protective orders & restraining orders
- safety planning guide
- DV shelters & housing
- financial independence for DV survivors
- legal rights for DV survivors (VAWA, U-Visa)
- how to help someone experiencing DV
- stalking laws, protection & what to do
- child custody after domestic violence
- elder abuse: signs, reporting & protection
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