Who Can Get Section 8: The Basic Requirements

Section 8 has four main requirements: you must be a U.S. citizen or may be able to access noncitizen, your household income must fall below a limit set by your local housing authority, you cannot have been evicted for drug-related criminal activity in the past three years, and you must pass a background check. The income limit and what counts as income vary by location and household size — your local housing authority publishes these numbers every year.

The program does not require you to be employed, disabled, or receiving any other benefit. You do not need to own a home or have perfect credit. What matters is income, citizenship status, and criminal history related to drugs.

Key Takeaways

  • Your household income must be at or below 50 percent of the area median income for your county, though some housing authorities set the limit lower.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen or hold one of seven may be able to access noncitizen statuses, and you will need to provide documents proving this.
  • A conviction for drug-related criminal activity within the past three years will disqualify you, but other criminal history is reviewed case by case.
  • Your local housing authority sets the exact income limits and decides which documents prove citizenship, so requirements differ between cities and counties.

Income Limits and How Your Household Income Is Calculated

The income limit for Section 8 is typically 50 percent of the area median income (AMI) for your county. If the area median income in your county is $80,000, the limit would be $40,000. However, some housing authorities set their limit at 60 percent of AMI instead. You can find your local limit by calling your housing authority or visiting their website.

Income includes wages from employment, self-employment income, Social Security, unemployment benefits, child support, alimony, and rental income. It does not include food stamps, Medicaid, or most other means-tested benefits. If you are elderly or disabled, certain income exclusions may lower your countable income — ask your housing authority which exclusions apply to you.

Your household income is the total earned and unearned income of everyone living in your unit who is on the lease. If you live alone, it is your income only. If you have a spouse and two children, it is all four incomes added together.

Citizenship and may be able to access Noncitizen Status

You must be a U.S. citizen or hold one of seven may be able to access noncitizen statuses. may be able to access noncitizens include lawful permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking, Cuban/Haitian entrants, Amerasian immigrants, and certain Native Americans born abroad. You will need to provide documents proving your status — a birth certificate or passport for citizens, a green card for permanent residents, or an asylum approval letter for asylees, for example.

If you are undocumented or hold a visa that does not fall into one of the seven categories, you cannot receive Section 8. If you are unsure of your status, bring your immigration documents to your housing authority and ask them to review it. They see these documents regularly and can tell you whether you meet the requirement.

Criminal History and Drug-Related Convictions

You are automatically disqualified if you have been convicted of drug-related criminal activity within the past three years. This means any felony or misdemeanor conviction for manufacturing, distributing, or possessing drugs with intent to distribute. A simple possession conviction may or may not disqualify you depending on when it occurred and your housing authority's policy — ask them directly.

Other criminal convictions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. A housing authority may deny you for violent felonies, sex offenses, or a pattern of criminal behavior, but they must consider the nature of the crime, how long ago it happened, and evidence of rehabilitation. If you have a criminal record, disclose it on your application. Housing authorities often find out anyway through background checks, and honesty improves your chances.

Background Check and Credit Requirements

Your housing authority will run a criminal background check and may check your credit report. A poor credit score does not disqualify you — Section 8 is designed for low-income households, many of whom have damaged credit. What matters is whether you have been evicted in the past, whether you owe money to a previous landlord, and whether you have a history of not paying rent.

If you were evicted for nonpayment of rent, you may still be considered, but the housing authority may require you to sign a lease addendum stating that eviction will result in immediate termination of your voucher. If you owe back rent to a previous landlord, you may be asked to pay it or set up a payment plan before you receive your voucher.

Household Composition and Family Status

Section 8 does not require you to be a family with children. Single adults, couples without children, elderly people, and people with disabilities all may have access to if they meet the income and citizenship requirements. Your household can include relatives or unrelated people, as long as everyone on the lease is counted in the income calculation.

If you are currently homeless or living in a shelter, you can still apply. If you are fleeing domestic violence, some housing authorities have preferences or expedited processing — ask when you call. If you are in foster care or aging out of the system, some states have set-asides or preferences for this population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does having a disability help me get Section 8 faster?

No, disability does not move you up the waiting list or change the requirements. However, if you are elderly or disabled, certain income exclusions may lower your countable income, which could help you stay under the income limit. Some housing authorities also have preferences for people with disabilities, but this varies by location.

What if my income is slightly over the limit?

You do not meet the requirement and cannot receive Section 8. However, income limits change yearly, and some housing authorities have different limits for different unit sizes. Call your local housing authority to confirm the exact limit for your household size. If you are close, ask whether any income exclusions apply to you.

Can I get Section 8 if I have an eviction on my record?

It depends on the reason. If you were evicted for nonpayment of rent, you may still be considered, but the housing authority may require you to sign a lease addendum. If you were evicted for drug-related criminal activity, you are disqualified for three years from the date of the conviction. Ask your housing authority to review your specific situation.

Do I need to be working to get Section 8?

No. You can receive Section 8 on Social Security, unemployment benefits, child support, or no income at all, as long as your total household income is below the limit. Employment is not a requirement.

What documents do I need to prove citizenship?

A U.S. birth certificate, passport, or naturalization certificate works for citizens. Green card holders need their green card. Refugees and asylees need their approval letter from USCIS. Your housing authority will tell you which documents they accept when you call or visit.