I know there's financial assistance for an ex-con for many different things. The 2 I'd like to find out about is for; opening a small business and assistance just for LIVING

Assistance for living is the same for felons as it is for everyone else - the State system, usually Welfare. I am not aware of any other special opportunities for ex-cons EXCEPT in some areas which have subsidized programs.

I believe ex-cons have to stand in line like everyone else when it comes to assistance.

Sorry you "know" wrong, there are no special programs for being an excon. There are grants to non profits to do things like half way houses, for job training, that will include ex cons but there is almost no direct grants or helps. And the help there is, will be from local groups, that have received the larger grants.

Grants for small business do not nearly cover the entire cost of the business, so you will still need money to do the business. You start by applying for small business loans.
Grants for business will also depend on how many employees you will be able to hire, are you putting the business into a depressed area, like inner city.

As for assistance in living, sorry, besides some local half way housing or missions where they let you live and do job training, there is nothing

I agree with the above statement, I would also like to add on check to see if there are any ex-offender re-entry programs in your area. If there are they will assists you in different programs as long as you were incarcerated.