ByHow DoNotPay makes Applying for Section 8 Simple
Every year, thousands of people apply for section 8 housing hoping they will be lucky enough to get chosen.
is a type of affordable housing that was introduced as a result of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1974. The program was created with the intention of giving families that were living in substandard properties or houses access to housing choices that they wouldn't be able to afford otherwise.
Still today, applying for section 8 housing is a long process. Getting approved can take quite some time, and there are so many forms to fill out. Imagine if you could get all of that done in minutes… with DoNotPay, you can. Applying for section 8 housing is now easier than ever, thanks to DoNotPay automating the same process that would take hours if done manually.
Who is Eligible to Apply for Section 8?
To be eligible to apply for section 8 housing, you'll need to be considered low-income and you must live in a county that participates in the federal housing choice voucher program. You can find out if your county is part of the program by contacting your local public housing authority.
Since only low-income families will qualify for section 8 , applicants need to earn less than half of the median income in their area. These income guidelines are set by the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) each year, and are outlined below:
| 1 Person Household | Must make less than $41,800 annually to be eligible |
| 2 Person Household | Must make less than $47,750 annually to be eligible |
| 3 Person Household | Must make less than $53,700 annual to be eligible |
| 4 Person Household | Must make less than $59,650 annual to be eligible |
| 5 Person Household | Must make less than $64,450 annual to be eligible |
| 6 Person Household | Must make less than $69,200 annual to be eligible |
| 7 Person Household | Must make less than $74,000 annual to be eligible |
| 8 Person Household | Must make less than $78,750 annual to be eligible |
What are the Other Requirements to Apply for Section 8?
In order to qualify for section 8 housing, applicants also need to meet certain requirements, such as:
- Must be a US citizen
- Must be of legal age to sign a contract
- Must not have any evictions on their record
- Must be able to provide references and pass credit checks
Can You Apply for Section 8 With No Income?
You must have sufficient funds to pay your share of the section 8 housing rent. Sufficient funds are determined by how much rent your county charges for a modest apartment or house (your share is 30% of the total amount).
That means you can't have zero income, but you can have very little income. However, income doesn't just have to come from employment, it can also come from other sources such as:
- Social security
- Disability benefits
- Veteran's benefits
- Alimony or child support
How to Apply for Section 8 Housing On Your Own
Now that we have outlined what it takes to apply for section 8 housing, let's take a look at the process of applying.
Here is a step by step guide on how to apply for section 8 housing:
- Visit your local public housing authority website and request an application from them or visit their office in person to pick one up. You can also get your hands on an application if you call your local public housing authority.
- Fill out the entire application. Make sure you answer all questions fully and truthfully, it will later be cross-checked with your references, past landlords, employment history, etc. If anything is incorrect or not truthful this could raise a red flag and slow down or even prevent your application from being accepted.
- Submit the completed rental application to either your local public housing authority office or their website. Most public housing authorities now have an online option for you to submit applications without going down to their office which can be a big time-saver, but make sure you read all instructions thoroughly before starting this process.
- Wait. Once you 've submitted your application, there is not much else you need to do but wait! This is the slowest part of the process and it can take months or even years for your application to be accepted and processed by the local public housing authority.
Next Steps to Apply for Section 8 If You Can 't Do it Yourself
If you don't feel confident in your ability to apply for section 8 on your own, try seeking out a local organization that provides free advice and help.
Most cities have a Legal Aid Society, for example. They can not only help you with the application process, but you can also ask them questions about your particular situation and they may be able to give you additional advice on how to avoid eviction or improve your chances of getting accepted.
In some cases, it is possible for you to hire a lawyer to help you for section 8. However, this is usually only recommended in cases where your application is denied and you believe it was done so unjustly or unfairly.
Applying for Section 8 Housing With the Help of DoNotPay
We don't just think you should apply for section 8 housing on your own, we want to help. Our goal with DoNotPay is to make legal issues simple and easy.
We know that the section 8 housing process can be confusing and we want to make it as clear and easy as possible for you.
How to apply for Section 8 Housing with DoNotPay
If you want to apply for section 8 housing 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.
Why Use DoNotPay to Apply for Section 8 Housing
DoNotPay aims to help you navigate the low-income housing system as painlessly as possible. We do this by taking away all of the technical jargon and making the process as simple and straightforward as possible for you.
Another reason we want to help you apply for section 8 housing with DoNotPay is that it may be your only option. For various reasons, it is sometimes impossible to hire a lawyer or even speak to one, especially if you are low- income. With DoNotPay, you can get the help you need without the expense.
DoNotPay Works With All Housing Authorities
No matter where you apply for section 8 in the U.S., DoNotPay works in all 50 states! You can even apply with DoNotPay from your mobile phone or tablet if you're on the go, making it more convenient than ever to get the help you need.
What Else Can DoNotPay Do?
DoNotPay is now more than just an affordable way to . Our goal at DoNotPay has always been to help as many people as possible.
DoNotPay can help you with many other issues, not just applying for section 8:
- Do you need to deal with a broken contract or repair?
- Do you need to file a complaint against your former landlord?
- Do you want compensation for a canceled flight or poor in-flight service?
- Do you want to claim a refund for faulty goods?
DoNotPay can help.