Home › Money guides › Apply Section 8

Apply Section 8

How to apply for a Housing Choice Voucher, who qualifies, how your rent share is calculated, and a calculator.

Updated November 4, 2026. Free, no sign-up; everything runs in your browser and nothing you type is stored.

Section 8 rent calculator

Annual household income ($)Dependents (under 18, disabled, full-time students)Head or spouse 62+ or disabled?Childcare costs so you can work ($/year)Housing authority payment standard ($/month)Rent + utility allowance ($/month)

You pay

–

–Total tenant payment

–Voucher pays the landlord

–40% affordability check

How to apply for Section 8

The Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8) is run by local public housing agencies (PHAs) with HUD funding. To apply, contact the PHA where you want to live; many have long waiting lists that open only at certain times, and you can apply to more than one. You'll provide income, household members and identification, and the PHA checks eligibility and places you on the list. Beware of anyone charging a fee to apply.

Who qualifies

Generally families with income at or below 50% of the area median income (very low income), and by law at least 75% of new vouchers each year go to extremely low-income families (24 CFR 982.201). Income limits vary by area and family size.

What you pay

Your total tenant payment is the higher of 30% of your monthly adjusted income or 10% of monthly gross income (24 CFR 5.628). Adjusted income subtracts $480 per dependent and $525 for an elderly or disabled family (indexed annually), plus certain childcare and medical costs. The voucher pays the rest up to the PHA's payment standard. If you rent a unit above the payment standard, your share on a new lease can't exceed 40% of monthly adjusted income. Budget with the budget calculator.

Common questions

How do I apply for Section 8?

Through your local public housing agency, often by joining a waiting list when it opens.

How much rent do you pay with Section 8?

Generally 30% of your monthly adjusted income (or 10% of gross income if higher).

What is the Section 8 income limit?

Usually 50% of the area median income, with most vouchers going to extremely low-income families.

Sources

More mortgage and home calculators: 203k FHA Loan · Ad Valorem Tax · Construction Loan · Conventional Loan

General information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Check important numbers with the official source before acting on them.