Section 8 income limits are set by your local housing authority and depend on your household size and the area where you live

Section 8 income limits are the maximum amount your household can earn and still be considered for the program. These limits are not set by the federal government as a single number — instead, each local Public Housing Authority (PHA) sets its own limits based on the median income in your area. A household earning $35,000 per year might may have access to in one county and be over the limit in another, depending on local income levels.

The limits change every year, usually in April, when HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) releases new median income figures for each region. Your local PHA then calculates 50 percent of that median income and uses it as the cutoff. Some PHAs also set limits at 60 percent of median income, which means higher earners can may have access to. You need to check with your specific PHA to find out what their current limits are — calling them or visiting their website is the only way to know the exact number that applies to you.

Key Takeaways

  • Income limits vary by location and household size, so the same income may may have access to in one area but not another.
  • Your local Public Housing Authority sets and publishes its own income limits each year, usually in April.
  • Most PHAs use 50 percent of the area's median income as the limit, though some use 60 percent.
  • You must report all household income, including wages, self-employment, Social Security, child support, and unemployment benefits.
  • If your income exceeds the limit when you explore, you cannot be added to the waiting list, but limits are recalculated yearly.

How your local PHA calculates the income limit for your household size

Income limits are tied to household size because a family of five needs more income to cover basic expenses than a single person does. Your PHA publishes a table showing the limit for a household of one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, and eight people. If your household is larger than eight, there is usually an add-on amount per additional person. For example, a PHA might set the limit for a family of four at $42,000 per year and add $5,000 for each person beyond four.

The limit applies to your total household income, which means you add up what everyone living with you earns. If you are married and both work, both incomes count. If an adult child lives with you and works, their income counts. If you receive Social Security, unemployment, child support, or disability payments, those count too. The only income that typically does not count is income of children under 18 who are in school full-time, though rules vary slightly by PHA.

To find your household's specific income limit, contact your local PHA directly or visit their website. Many PHAs post their current limits online. If you cannot find them, call the PHA's main number and ask for the Section 8 income limits for the current year — they should be able to tell you the exact figure for your household size in less than a minute.

What counts as income and what does not

Income includes any money your household receives on a regular basis. This covers wages from employment, self-employment income, Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), unemployment insurance, workers' compensation, child support, alimony, pension payments, and interest or dividends from savings or investments. If you receive rental income from property you own, that counts. If you have a roommate who pays you rent, that counts too.

Some types of money do not count as income. Lump-sum payments like tax refunds, insurance settlements, or inheritances do not count. Gifts from family or friends do not count. Money from a loan does not count as income (though the loan itself may affect your assets). Income of children under 18 who are enrolled full-time in school is usually excluded. Temporary information programs like TANF (Temporary information for Needy Families) may or may not count depending on your state and PHA — you need to ask your specific PHA how they treat it.

When you explore for Section 8, you will need to provide documentation of all income. This typically means recent pay stubs, tax returns, Social Security statements, or award letters from benefit programs. If your income varies month to month, the PHA will usually average it over the past 12 months or use the most recent month as a baseline.

What happens if your income is above the limit when you explore

If your household income exceeds your local PHA's limit at the time you explore, you cannot be added to the waiting list. The PHA will tell you that you are over-income and will not process your process. This does not mean you can never may have access to — it means you do not may have access to right now, at this income level.

Income limits are recalculated every year, and in rare cases a PHA might raise its limit if the area's median income increases significantly. More commonly, if your household income drops — because someone loses a job, retires, or moves out — you can reapply. Some PHAs allow you to reapply when ready after your income changes; others require you to wait until the next process period. Check with your PHA about their reapplication policy.

If you are currently receiving Section 8 and your income rises above the limit, you do not lose your voucher when ready. The program has rules about how much your income can increase before your rent contribution goes up or your information ends. These rules are separate from the initial income limit and are explained in your lease and the PHA's policies.

How income limits differ between PHAs and regions

Because income limits are based on local median income, they vary widely across the country. A household of four might have an income limit of $38,000 in a rural area and $65,000 in a major metropolitan area. This reflects the real cost of living — housing and other expenses are higher in cities, so the program allows higher earners to participate in high-cost areas.

Even within the same state, neighboring counties can have different limits. If you are considering moving to a different area, or if you live near a county line, the income limit in the next county over might be higher or lower. This can matter if you are close to the limit in your current area — you might may have access to in a nearby county even if you do not may have access to where you live now.

You can find income limits for any PHA by visiting HUD's website or calling the PHA directly. If you are moving, contact the PHA in your new area before you move to find out what their current limits are.

Income limits versus rent contribution — they are not the same thing

The income limit determines whether you can get Section 8 in the first place. Once you are approved and receiving information, your rent contribution is calculated differently. You typically pay 30 percent of your adjusted gross income toward rent, and Section 8 pays the rest (up to the local payment standard). As your income increases, your rent contribution increases, but you do not lose your voucher unless your income stays above the limit for a certain period — usually 12 months or more, depending on PHA rules.

This means the income limit is a threshold for entry into the program, while rent contribution is how much you pay once you are in. Understanding the difference matters because staying in Section 8 as your income grows is possible — you will just pay more of the rent yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to report income from a side job or gig work?

Yes. All income, including self-employment, gig work, freelance income, and cash jobs, must be reported. The PHA will ask about it during the process process and during annual recertifications. Underreporting income can result in overpayment of benefits and may lead to repayment demands or removal from the program.

What if my income is seasonal or changes month to month?

The PHA will average your income over the past 12 months or use the most recent month as a baseline, depending on their policy. If you are self-employed or have seasonal work, bring tax returns and recent income statements to show the full picture. Averaging usually works in your favor if you had a high-income month recently but lower income overall.

Does my spouse's income count if we are separated but still married?

Yes, a spouse's income counts as household income even if you are separated, as long as you are still legally married and living in the same household. If you are divorced or living separately, their income does not count. Your PHA can explain how they treat separated spouses in your specific situation.

Can I appeal if I am told I am over-income?

You can ask your PHA to review their calculation to make sure they counted your income correctly. If you believe they made an error — for example, they included income that should not have been counted — request a review in writing. However, if your income genuinely exceeds the limit, there is no appeal process; you straightforward do not may have access to at that income level.

Will the income limit change if I have a baby or someone moves into my household?

The income limit for your household size will not change, but your household size itself will change. If you have a baby, your household size increases by one, and your PHA will recalculate your income limit based on the new size. The same applies if an adult moves in. This usually happens during your annual recertification, though you can report changes sooner if they affect your may be able to access.