How to Apply for Section 8 Rental Voucher Program

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The Section 8 Rental Voucher Program is designed to help low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities make their rent payments.

Step 1: Learn the ropes of Section 8
Learn what Section 8 is for. This program provides vouchers to public housing projects to help its tenants meet their rent obligations, but it may also give vouchers directly to qualified individuals to help them move to a private rental.

Step 2: Figure out whether the voucher will actually help your budget
Figure out whether the voucher will actually help your budget. If you qualify for the voucher program, you will still have to pay as much as 30 percent of your family's income toward rent.

Step 3: Find out if you’re eligible
Find out if you’re eligible. You must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident, your pay stubs and tax returns must show that you earn a certain amount of money, and you must be a reliable and law-abiding renter or homeowner.

Step 4: Apply for the voucher program
Housing Authority office to request a Section 8 voucher application. A Housing Authority agent may interview at the office or visit you at your home.

Tip
You can apply for the Section 8 program online.

Step 5: Be patient
Although you may be approved for a voucher shortly after you apply, it can take a while to receive the actual voucher.

Did You Know?
Did you know? About 1.2 million households currently live in public housing.