Applying For Section 8 Assistance

Page 2 of 2

So now you’ve determined that you’re eligible for a Section 8 voucher, what’s next? Now it’s time to begin the actual application process. It may seem daunting, but breaking down the requirements and fulfilling them accurately will ensure your application is processed as quickly as possible. If you make mistakes, oversights or errors you could very easily find your application delayed or removed in entirety.

The process starts when you contact your local PHA and let them know you’re interested in applying for a housing voucher program. To find your local PHA click here. You will want to ask them if the form is available to be filled out online, if not, they will send it to you in the mail or you can pick it up directly from your local office.

If you have any questions in regards to the application, don’t hesitate to contact your PHA. If English is not your primary language getting assistance is even more important. You are welcome to complete the application in the PHA office where they can assist you with any questions. You can even make an appointment to meet with a representative that can help translate or just plain help you complete the application. We strongly recommend taking advantage of this service as we have seen many applications held up due to errors in the form fill out process.

 

It’s Time To Play the Section 8 Waiting List Game

Once the application has been filed, your local PHA will begin to collect information on the makeup of your family, income and assets. This information will be cross-checked with banks, your employer and local government agencies. During this process, it’s important to understand the typical time frames for response to avoid disappointment.

You must be prepared for a long wait. In some cases, depending on your location, there could be 100,000 applicants for a limited number of spots. In these high density areas, it can take 3 to 8 years to be enrolled in Section 8 while on the waiting list.

If you are in an emergency situation, make sure and inform your local PHA. They will, at times, prioritize and give preference to families that are homeless or living in substandard housing. If you pay more than 70% of your family’s total income to rent or have been displaced through no fault of your own you could also receive waiting list prioritization. It’s important to speak to your local PHA if you are in one of this specific conditions and see how that might affect your place on the waiting list.

From time to time, PHAs do close the waiting list and do not accept new applications. This, however, does not prohibit you from looking for Section 8 housing in another county or even another state that is accepting applications. Do some research and look for new areas you might want to live. A great place to start is the Best Section 8 Homes and Rentals Guide.

Most importantly, don’t lose hope. In most cases, you will not receive this benefit overnight. It takes patience and diligence and staying on top of your local PHA in the hope of acquiring more insight and information.

 

I Got My Voucher… Now What?

First off, congratulations, you now have the benefit assistance to help you and your family live a healthy and productive lifestyle. There are, however, a number of requirements that you must follow in order to keep your Section 8 assistance. These requirements deserve the same amount of attention and upkeep you exhibited during the application process. Don’t risk losing the benefit assistance you worked so hard to acquire.

Safety Requirements – You must insure you have the proper thermal controls, sanitation systems, running water, no structural or hazardous damage in the dwelling amongst other criteria.

Lease Agreement – If you and your family are renting a living space, you will be required to sign a one year lease. The property owner is obligated to provide “safe housing” and a “reasonable rent”. If, for whatever reasons, the property owner doesn’t fulfill this obligation you are advised to make a formal complaint with your local PHA.

Important Note – Landlords and banks will review your credit score. Ignorance is not an option. Do the smart thing and check your credit score now!

Apartment and Home Maintenance – You must make all rental payments on time, keep the dwelling in acceptable conditions and comply with all terms within your lease contract. Failure to make timely payments or non-payment could very well end up with your Section 8 assistance being revoked. You would then have to reapply and sit in the same waiting category you did the first time around.

 

Be Aware of Housing Discrimination

By law, a landlord CAN and WILL refuse occupancy due to failure to pass background and credit checks but CANNOT refuse you and your family occupancy purely based on your Section 8 voucher enrollment. Similarly, a landlord cannot charge you more than a non-section 8 tenant. If you’ve checked your credit score and checked your background and still feel the landlord refused you occupancy based only on the fact of your Section 8 enrollment, immediately contact your local PHA.

 

Don’t Commit Any Fraudulent Acts

Fraud is one of the main reasons for termination of Section 8 benefit assistance. It can result in having to repay the funds you’ve received, probation and even a prison sentence. The bottom line is, if you’re fortunate enough to receive asssitance, don’t risk losing it by trying to take advantage of the system. You will more often than not get caught. Make sure you are well aware of what constitutes fraud:

❌ Knowingly omitting or under-reporting income or assets from household income.

❌ Transferring assets or income to achieve eligibility.

❌ Falsifying or using false Social Security documents.

❌ Falsifying the number of members in your household.

❌ Getting assistance on top of Section 8 without notifying the appropriate parties.

❌ Renting out or subletting all or part of the unit.

❌ Charging rent from any tenants who may be living with you.

 

 

Unsecured Personal Loans
Unsecured Personal Loans are those that do not have any collateral attached to them. This type of loan is often easy to get, but know in advance you will be paying a higher interest rate on the loan.This is because there is a great risk of non-payment due...
Solid Advice for Credit Repair
It may be difficult to find information on the best ways to improve your credit. There is a wealth of different tips in this article to help you rebuild your journey to credit repair. Using these tips can save you from stressing and prevent headaches....
Tips for Insurance Discounts
Home insurance and automobile insurance might be must-haves, but it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg to have the appropriate coverages. There are things you can do to get discounts on your homeowners insurance and automobile insurance. Here are...
Denied Insurance Claim? Don’t Give Up!
Buying insurance is a common and thoughtful step that people take to protect themselves financially from a major mishap, accident or other type of loss. When you purchase insurance, you understandably expect the insurance company to pay out on a claim so that you can...
The Best Self Help Gurus
In the world today, it is easy to come across scammers looking to take advantage of people in their weakest moments. The realm of self-help is no different. In fact, it can be much worse. Self-help scammers apply abstract concepts so that unsuspecting people will fork...
You Can Save Money on Your Monthly Bills By Reading These Tips
When you add up the total cost of your monthly utility bills, you may be astounded by how expensive utilities can be. This may be particularly true during peak usage months in the height of summer and in the dead of winter. You and your family...
Finding Employment with Job Searches
Finding Employment with Job Searches Sometimes, life hits Americans hard. With ups and downs in the economy, it may be difficult to maintain consistent employment over a long period of time. Fortunately, there are options to help find a new job or career. In the...
Car Shopping and Ways To Pay for It
A franchised new car dealership is a reliable, if not the only, source for anyone who wants to buy a new car.  But to those who prefer buying used or previously owned cars, there are plenty of options and sources one could choose from to be able to make...
Receiving $4000 in Home Rebates
 Are there any home improvements that you have been contemplating lately? Are you struggling to make ends meet already? Learn more about three Programs a that could help you and millions of homeowners qualify for a $4,000 rebate. These Are Very Tough...
How The New Budget will Impact SNAP
How The New Budget will Impact SNAP  The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) assists lower-income families to purchase food in order to prevent hunger. The program also provides economic benefits to communities. The proposed budget for 2018...
Morning Habits for Success
Are you a morning person? Many people enjoy getting up at the sunrise and having a cup of coffee while they browse the web and others prefer to sleep in as long as possible but the most successful people in the world embrace the mornings and in fact there...
5 Strategies to Save Money on a Shoestring Budget
 If you are one of the many people who live on a tight budget, you may feel the stress of your situation on a daily basis. Even a seemingly small issue that arises and has reasonable expenses can throw your budget off track. Reducing your costs is a great...
How Does Renting to Own Really Work?
 In the years leading up to the financial crisis of 2007-08, the renting to own model — in which tenants/buyers have an option to purchase the house or condo they’re renting from their landlord/seller— was mostly offered by individual homeowners. In the...
How To Get A Work-From-Home Job and Earn $275 Per Day
How To Get A Work-From-Home Job & Earn $275 Per Day There are many advantages to working from home. There's no expensive and time-consuming commute, for example, and it's also possible to work from home while juggling other responsibilities. However, while many...
Understanding Federal Grants (Part 2)
 In the last issue we talked about how the federal grant system works and how you can make it work for you. In this issue we are going talk about exactly who's eligible to apply for federal grant money. The simple fact is that almost everyone is eligible...
4 Challenging Discussions (And How To Have Them)
It's not always easy to practice open and honest communication, especially with your family. Unfortunately, that lack of communication can have serious consequences. If you're having a hard time finding the courage to approach your family about an issue...
The Facts You Need to Know About Payday Cash Advances
If you need money, it can feel as if there is no one to help you. It may feel like you're up a creek without a paddle. Luckily, you can get payday cash advances to help you out. Research all companies that you are considering. Find a lender that fits you...
Relief Resources and Benefits Gov
 Let's begin with this. No One Is Guaranteed Government Assistance Just For Existing. That being said, Government aid can be very helpful to those enduring a financial struggle or hardship. It can also be beneficial for those looking to attain a higher...
Easy Formula for Grant Applications
When you look forward to apply for a government grant, you will need to do a lot of research and make elaborate preparations. To give a kick start to your grant seeking process, fist you must understand the different types of grants available. You will...
Free Cell Phones: Avoid The Trap
Cell phones are becoming very sophisticated with the advancement in the technology. Today the cell phones come with lot of mind-boggling kinds of features on them. Due to the increasing competition between the handset manufacturers and the service providers, lots of...

The Premier Forex League

Subscribe

Family Picnic

Enter Your Email for Best Results

Due to the overwhelming response, please enter your name and email to ensure the proper search results.

You Are On Your Way!

Family Picnic

Enter Your Email for Best Results

Due to the overwhelming response, please enter your name and email to ensure the proper search results.

You Are On Your Way!

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This