ByHow Long Does It Take for Section 8 to Do a Background Check
Getting a section 8 housing voucher for your family isn't an easy task. You may have many questions about the process, such as "" and "does my household qualify for the program?" Because the process can be difficult to navigate, it is important to know where to turn when you want to acquire section 8 housing.
The section 8 housing program is not available for everyone, so it is important to first understand whether your household will qualify for the program before you get started. When you want to check your eligibility and start the application process, DoNotPay is here to help you and your family.
Who Is Eligible for Section 8 Housing?
The federal Section 8 housing program is only available to a select group of households that qualify to join the program based on financial need, age, disability, or a combination. Some of the eligibility requirements to apply for section 8 housing anywhere in the United States include:
- An extremely low-income household
- Those who are on social security benefits
- Those who have a disability and are on a fixed income
Depending on who is considered a part of your household, other eligibility requirements may be applicable.
Several factors determine whether or not you are eligible for Section 8 housing:
| Income eligibility | You are making at or below the posted poverty line in your state. You are considered at the lowest income level if your family brings in only 30 percent or less of the average income in your area. You are still considered very low income if you only bring in 50 percent of that income and low income for 80 percent. |
| Age eligibility | If you are above a certain age and still not bringing in enough income, you may qualify for Section 8 housing. Depending on a fixed income, those who are 65 and older could find themselves meeting these requirements. |
| Disability eligibility | If you have been deemed disabled and unable to work, you are eligible for assistance, even as the head of household. |
The Process for Applying to a Section 8 Housing Program
Because section 8 housing is a federal program that is managed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), applying to the program is similar in most cities across the country. Some application processes may have different requirements to determine whether you also qualify for any state or city housing programs available.
Visiting Your Local Housing Authority
The first step in filling out a section 8 housing application is to visit your local housing authority or agency. This is the office that will help you with your application and process it to see if you qualify for the program. Most housing authorities do require you to fill out the application in person due to the sensitive nature of the documents you will have to submit with your application.
Submitting Required Documents
You will have to bring a number of personal documents with you to fill out your application. Some of these documents include:
- Birth certificates for every member of the household.
- Social security cards for all members of the household.
- Photo ID cards for anyone over the age of 18 living in the household.
- Proof of income, including but not limited to pay stubs, food stamp or welfare award letters, child support letters, or social security award letters.
- Your most recent bank statement.
How Long Will it Take for Section 8 Background Check?
The short answer is this: It takes a few weeks to a few months for your to be completed. It depends on the number of applicants and your local resources. But there’s more waiting ahead.
The amount of time it takes for you to receive a section 8 housing voucher will depend on a few factors. After you have submitted your application, it will need to be reviewed to make sure that your household is eligible for the program. Once a is complete, you will then be eligible for various state and federal housing programs available in your area.
Once you are deemed eligible for a section 8 housing voucher you will have to wait until the local housing authority processing your application has a residence available. In most cases, you will be put on a waiting list for housing.
Depending on where you live, you could find yourself on a waiting list for a few months or as much as a few years. If you must reapply or renew your status on a waiting list, it is important to do so promptly to avoid being put at the back of the line.
Applying for Section 8 Housing With the Help of DoNotPay
If you are in need of affordable housing, there is no time to wait. Navigating the federal housing program can be difficult, and you may not know where to turn to get the answers you need.
With DoNotPay, you can make the process of getting started as simple as possible.
How to Apply for Section 8 Housing in Any State With DoNotPay
If you want to apply for Section 8 Housing in any state but don't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered in 2 easy steps:
- Answer a few questions about your income, family size, veteran/disability status, which county you hope to live in, etc.
- DoNotPay will find the PHA in charge of that county and contact them with all of your eligibility information to determine if you can start applying. They'll get back to you directly via email with the next steps.
What Else Can DoNotPay Do?
No matter what you have to get done, DoNotPay can provide you with an easy solution to check it off your list. Some of the tasks that DoNotPay can assist with include:
- Scheduling DMV appointments
- Helping to reduce your property taxes
- Discovering and applying for scholarships
- Filing a complaint
These are just a few examples of what DoNotPay can help you with so you can get back to your day.