Income limits are the main barrier, and they depend on your area

The biggest factor in whether a housing authority will consider your household is gross monthly income. Most programs set the limit at 50% of the area median income (AMI) for your county or metro area. Some go up to 80% AMI. A single person in one county might may have access to at $1,800 per month while the same income disqualifies someone 30 miles away.

Your local housing authority publishes its income limits every year. You find them on the authority's website or by calling directly. Income includes wages, Social Security, child support, unemployment benefits, and most other regular money coming in. Some sources—like certain disability payments or money set aside for a disabled child's care—may not count, but the housing authority decides this case by case.

If your income is above the limit, you cannot move forward. If it is at or below the limit, you move to the next step. Income alone does not may provide anything; it just means you are not automatically ruled out.

Key Takeaways

  • Your gross monthly income must fall at or below your local housing authority's limit, which is usually 50% of the area median income and changes by county.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status; the housing authority will ask for proof such as a birth certificate, passport, or green card.
  • You cannot have been evicted for non-payment in the past three years or convicted of certain crimes, though some authorities have different timelines or may make exceptions.
  • You need a valid Social Security number for every household member age 6 and older, and the housing authority will run a background check.
  • Your household size must match available units; if you have five people, the authority will not place you in a two-bedroom.

Citizenship and immigration status requirements

You must be a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status. may be able to access status includes a green card (lawful permanent resident), refugee status, asylee status, or certain other designations. The housing authority will ask for proof—a birth certificate, passport, naturalization papers, or green card. If you were not born in the U.S., bring your immigration documents to the interview.

If any household member lacks may be able to access status, that person usually cannot be counted as part of your household for the program. Some authorities allow mixed-status households but may reduce the voucher amount. Rules vary by state and by individual housing authority, so ask directly about your situation.

Criminal history and eviction records

The housing authority will run a background check. You will be denied if you have a conviction for manufacturing methamphetamine in the past 10 years. You may also be denied for other drug convictions, violent felonies, or sex offenses, though the exact crimes and timeframes vary by authority.

An eviction for non-payment in the past three years is a common reason for denial. Some authorities use a longer lookback period (five or seven years) or may deny you permanently for certain evictions. A few authorities have hardship waiver processes if you can show the eviction was due to circumstances beyond your control, but this is not may provide.

Evictions for lease violations other than non-payment (like unauthorized occupants or property damage) may also disqualify you, depending on the authority's policy. Ask your local housing authority what their specific rules are before you assume you are ineligible.

Social Security numbers and household composition

Every household member age 6 and older must have a valid Social Security number. The housing authority uses these to verify identity and run background checks. If a family member does not have a number, you will need to obtain one before you can move forward. You can explore for a Social Security number at your local Social Security Administration office.

Your household size matters because the housing authority matches you to available units. If you have five people, you cannot receive a voucher for a one-bedroom apartment. The authority defines household size based on who lives with you and your relationship to them. Unrelated adults living together may be counted differently than family members, so be clear about who is in your household when you explore.

What does not automatically disqualify you

Having a criminal record does not always mean you are ineligible. Many convictions fall outside the automatic-denial categories. Having been evicted does not automatically disqualify you if the eviction was for a reason other than non-payment, or if enough time has passed. Having poor credit does not disqualify you—the housing authority does not check credit scores.

Owing back rent or utilities to a previous landlord is not a barrier to the program itself, though it may affect whether a landlord will accept your voucher. Being unemployed is not a disqualifier. Having a disability or receiving benefits does not hurt your chances. The housing authority focuses on income, citizenship, and criminal or eviction history—not on employment status, credit, or other factors.

How the housing authority verifies what you tell them

When you submit information, the housing authority will verify it. They contact your employer to confirm income, request tax returns or pay stubs, and pull your background and eviction history from court records. They ask for documents: birth certificates, Social Security cards, lease agreements, and proof of income. If information does not match what you said, you may be denied or asked to explain the difference.

The verification process usually takes several weeks. During this time, be honest and provide documents promptly. If you cannot find a document, ask the housing authority what alternatives they will accept. Many will take a notarized statement or a letter from your employer instead of an original document.

What happens after you meet the basic requirements

Meeting income, citizenship, and background requirements does not may provide you receive a voucher. Most housing authorities have waiting lists because demand exceeds available vouchers. You may be placed on a list and wait months or years before your name comes up. Some authorities prioritize certain groups—people experiencing homelessness, those with disabilities, or families with very low income—but this varies by location.

Once your name is called, you move into the next phase: finding a landlord who will accept the voucher and a unit that meets program standards. That is a separate process with its own requirements, but you cannot reach it unless you clear the initial screening.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as income for Section 8?

Wages, salary, self-employment income, Social Security, SSI, child support, alimony, unemployment benefits, and pension income all count. Some payments—like Supplemental Security Income for a disabled child or certain tribal payments—may not count. Ask your housing authority which sources they include in their calculation.

Can I be denied for a felony conviction?

You can be denied for manufacturing methamphetamine in the past 10 years. Other felonies may disqualify you depending on the type and when it occurred. Drug convictions, violent crimes, and sex offenses are common reasons for denial, but rules vary by housing authority. Contact your local authority to learn their specific policy.

How far back do they look at evictions?

Most housing authorities look back three years for evictions related to non-payment. Some look back five, seven, or even ten years. A few have hardship waiver processes. Your local housing authority's website or a phone call will tell you their exact policy.

Do I need to be employed to get Section 8?

No. Employment is not a requirement. Your income must be within the limit, but that income can come from benefits, disability payments, child support, or other sources. Unemployed people with income from other sources can be considered.

What if I have a mixed-status household?

Rules vary by state and housing authority. Some will not count household members without may be able to access immigration status. Others may count them but reduce the voucher amount. Contact your local housing authority to learn how they handle mixed-status households.