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Section 8 guide

Section 8 eligibility requirements

To get a Section 8 voucher you need to pass four filters: income under the local limit, citizenship or eligible immigration status for at least one household member, Social Security numbers, and the agency's background screening.

Check the income limitAgencies by state

Income

Your total household income generally has to be at or below 50% of the area median income (very low income). HUD publishes the limits for every county and household size every year; check yours with our income limits tool.

Households at or below 30% of the median (extremely low income) get most of the new vouchers: at least 75% of each agency's new admissions each year.

Since the HOTMA rules, HUD also limits the net assets a household can have and, with exceptions, owning a home that would be suitable to live in.

Citizenship and immigration status

At least one household member must be a U.S. citizen or have an eligible immigration status. Households where some members are not eligible ("mixed families") can still get prorated assistance that covers only the eligible members.

Social Security numbers

Every household member generally has to disclose a Social Security number, with limited exceptions for people who do not claim eligible status.

Background screening

Federal rules require agencies to deny assistance to anyone subject to lifetime sex offender registration and to anyone convicted of producing methamphetamine in federally assisted housing.

Agencies must also deny households evicted from federally assisted housing for drug-related criminal activity in the last three years, unless the person completed rehabilitation or the circumstances no longer exist. Beyond that, each agency sets its own screening policy in its administrative plan.

Debts to housing authorities

If you owe money to a housing authority from a previous tenancy, the agency can deny you until you pay or sign a repayment agreement.

Full-time students

A full-time college student under 24 who is not a veteran, not married and has no dependent child generally needs to show that their parents are also income-eligible, with some exceptions (for example certain students with disabilities). How the rule applies when the student lives with their parents depends on household composition, so ask the agency.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get Section 8 with a criminal record?

Often yes. Only a few situations bring a mandatory federal denial; for the rest, each agency decides case by case under its policy and must give you a chance to dispute the record.

Can I get Section 8 if I am not a U.S. citizen?

If you have an eligible immigration status, yes. If only part of the household is eligible, the family can get prorated assistance.

Can a single person get Section 8?

Yes. A household can be one person. Some agencies give preference to families, elderly or disabled applicants, which can make the wait longer for others.

Does unemployment disqualify me?

No. You do not need a job to qualify for Section 8: eligibility is based on income. In public housing, adults who are not exempt (for example elderly, disabled or working people) must do 8 hours a month of community service or self-sufficiency activities. A few Moving to Work agencies add their own work rules, and in March 2026 HUD proposed a rule that would let more agencies set work requirements and time limits; as of October 2026 it is not final.

More Section 8 guides

How to apply for Section 8Step by step, from finding your agency to the briefing.Section 8 waiting listsHow lists open, preferences and how to check your status.Documents you need to applyThe checklist housing authorities ask for.How Section 8 rent is calculatedThe 30% rule, payment standards and utility allowances.Public housing vs. Section 8Which program fits you and how each one works.Moving with a voucher (portability)How to take your Section 8 voucher to another city or state.Section 8 inspection checklistWhat inspectors check before you can move in.

Official sources: 24 CFR Part 5 (income, eligibility and screening rules) · 24 CFR Part 982 (Section 8 tenant-based assistance) · HUD USER: Income Limits. Written and reviewed by Agustin Mendez. How we check the information.