How To Get a Disability Housing Voucher: Step-by-Step Guide

Disability housing vouchers are usually provided through the federal Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program and special disability-focused voucher programs run by local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs). This page from HowToGetAssistance.org is informational only; you must use official government agencies or portals to apply or check your status.

A disability housing voucher typically helps pay part of your rent in the private market if you meet income and disability rules and a PHA selects you from its waiting list. You do not apply for “a disability voucher” in one single national place – you usually apply through local PHAs and sometimes through special programs for people with disabilities.

Do Disability Housing Vouchers Apply to You?

Most disability-related vouchers flow through three paths:

  • Regular Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) where you qualify based on low income, and your disability may give you a preference.
  • Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) vouchers in some areas, for adults with disabilities under age 62.
  • Mainstream vouchers in some areas, for non-elderly adults with disabilities who may be homeless or at risk of homelessness or institutionalization.

Programs and names vary by state and county, so your first task is to identify the Public Housing Agency (PHA) or housing authority serving your city or county and review which voucher types they offer.

You may be a good candidate to apply if:

  • Your household income is low for your area (PHAs typically use HUD income limits).
  • You or a household member has a disability verified by Social Security or a medical provider.
  • You are experiencing homelessness, at risk of losing housing, or leaving an institution, especially for some Mainstream or NED vouchers.
  • You are a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen with required immigration documents.

No voucher program is guaranteed; even if you qualify, waiting lists are often long or closed in many areas.

Key Terms (Plain-Language)

  • PHA (Public Housing Agency): Local housing authority that runs voucher programs and waiting lists.
  • Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8): The main federal voucher that helps pay rent in private housing.
  • Waiting list: The official queue of people who applied and are waiting for a voucher or unit.
  • Preference: A local rule that lets some applicants (such as people with disabilities or homeless households) move up on a waiting list.

What You’ll Need Ready Before You Apply

You can’t usually complete a voucher application without basic documents and information. PHAs may ask for different items, but commonly required items include:

  • Photo ID for adults in the household (state ID, driver’s license, or other accepted ID).
  • Social Security numbers for household members (or documentation if someone doesn’t have one).
  • Proof of income: Pay stubs, benefit letters (SSI, SSDI, VA, unemployment), pension statements, or other income records.
  • Disability verification:
    • Social Security award letter (SSI/SSDI), or
    • A disability verification form completed by a licensed health professional, if the PHA uses one.
  • Proof of current housing situation if needed for a preference (eviction notice, shelter letter, discharge letter from an institution).
  • Immigration documents for noncitizen household members, if applicable.

Do this next: Before you try to apply, call or check the website of your local PHA and look for a “Documents Needed” or “How to Apply” page so you can gather what they expect rather than guessing.

Your Next Steps to Seek a Disability Housing Voucher

1. Find the Right Housing Authority

  1. Search for your local PHA.
    Go to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s “Find Your Local Public Housing Agency (PHA)” page on HUD.gov and look up agencies for your city or county.
  2. Check multiple PHAs if you live in a large metro area.
    Some regions have city, county, and state-level PHAs that each run their own waiting lists.
  3. Confirm which programs they run.
    Look for terms like “Housing Choice Vouchers,” “Section 8,” “Mainstream vouchers,” or “Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) vouchers.”

What to expect next: You’ll usually see whether voucher waiting lists are open or closed, and instructions for each open list.

2. Check If Waiting Lists Are Open and How to Apply

  1. Look for “Apply,” “Waiting List,” or “Applicant Portal” links on the PHA’s website.
  2. If a disability-focused voucher list is closed, ask whether disability preferences exist on other lists (like the main Housing Choice Voucher list).
  3. Note the method to apply:
    • Online application portal
    • Paper application by mail or drop-off
    • In-person intake appointment or application event

What to expect next: Many PHAs only accept applications during limited “opening” periods, which may last just a few days; others keep lists open year-round but move slowly.

3. Submit an Application (and Ask for Accommodations if Needed)

When the right list is open:

  1. Complete the application carefully with full names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, income, and disability/disability-preference questions as requested.
  2. If a disability makes it hard to complete forms, request a reasonable accommodation, such as:
    • Help filling out the application
    • Extra time to submit
    • Application in an accessible format (large print, screen-reader-friendly, etc.)
  3. Keep a copy or screenshot of your application confirmation page or any application number.

Phone script you can adapt:
“Hello, I’m calling about your Housing Choice Voucher or disability voucher programs. I have a disability and would like to know if there is an open waiting list I can apply for and whether any disability preferences or Mainstream or NED vouchers are available.”

What to expect next: You may receive a confirmation letter, email, or portal message stating you’re on the waiting list; you will not typically receive a voucher immediately.

4. Wait-List Stage: Respond Quickly to Any PHA Requests

Once on the list, PHAs often review and update their records:

  1. Watch your mail, email, and phone for requests to confirm you’re still interested or to update information.
  2. Respond by the deadline listed in any letter or notice; missed deadlines can lead to removal from the list.
  3. If your contact information changes, update the PHA in writing (online, form, or letter as they direct).

Real-world friction to watch for: A common reason applicants get removed from waiting lists is not updating their mailing address or email, so letters bounce or go unanswered; another frequent snag is missing short response deadlines for “update” or “interview” letters.

What to expect next: After sometimes months or years, the PHA may contact you for a voucher eligibility interview when your name reaches the top of the list.

5. Eligibility Interview and Voucher Issuance

When you’re called in:

  1. Bring all requested documents listed in the interview notice: IDs, income proof, disability proof, and anything related to preferences like homelessness or institutionalization.
  2. The PHA will verify your income, family composition, disability status, and immigration status according to HUD rules.
  3. If approved and a voucher is available, you’ll typically receive:
    • A voucher stating the number of bedrooms you qualify for.
    • Information on the payment standard (how much rent they can typically subsidize).
    • A deadline to find a suitable unit (commonly 60 days, though extensions may be possible, especially for disability-related reasons).

What to expect next: After you get a voucher, you must find a landlord who accepts it, then the unit must pass an inspection and be approved by the PHA before subsidy payments can begin.

Common Snags (and Quick Fixes)

  • Can’t find which agency to contact?
    Use HUD’s PHA locator on HUD.gov, then call and ask: “Do you administer Housing Choice Vouchers or disability-related vouchers for [your city/county]?”
  • Website or portal is confusing or not accessible?
    Call the PHA and request a reasonable accommodation for completing the application (phone assistance, paper forms, or in-person help).
  • Missing documents?
    Ask the PHA what substitutes they accept (e.g., benefit verification letters from Social Security, wage printouts, or provider-completed disability forms).
  • Waiting list closed everywhere nearby?
    Ask which neighboring PHAs accept applications from non-residents and whether they have any Mainstream or NED openings.

Quick Summary Box

  • Start by: Finding your local Public Housing Agency (PHA) and checking for open Housing Choice Voucher, Mainstream, or NED waiting lists.
  • Key documents:Photo ID, Social Security numbers, proof of income, disability verification, and immigration documents if applicable.
  • Access needs: You can request reasonable accommodations to complete the application or meet deadlines due to a disability.
  • Timeline: Vouchers are not immediate; you’re usually placed on a waiting list until your name is reached.
  • Stay active:Update your contact information and respond quickly to any PHA letters or emails.
  • Safety:Never pay anyone to “guarantee” you a voucher or a spot on a list; application help from PHAs and HUD-approved agencies is typically free.

Avoid Mistakes and Scam Warnings

Because vouchers involve rent money, scams are common:

  • Do not pay fees to get on a waiting list or to “jump the line.” Legitimate PHAs generally do not charge application fees for vouchers.
  • Only provide personal information (Social Security numbers, IDs) through official PHA channels, such as:
    • The PHA’s secure website (check that the address ends in .gov or matches the official agency site).
    • In-person at the PHA office.
    • By mail to the address listed on official letters.
  • Be wary of sites or individuals promising a voucher “guarantee” or “instant approval”; PHAs cannot skip required eligibility reviews.
  • If something seems suspicious, you can call the PHA directly using a phone number listed on its official site, or dial 211 to be connected to local housing resources and confirm you’re dealing with the right agency.

If you believe you shared information with a scammer, consider reporting it to your local PHA and checking resources from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC.gov) on recovering from identity theft.

If a Voucher Isn’t Available or You’re Denied

Because funding is limited, even eligible applicants might wait a long time or be denied:

  • If the waiting list is closed, ask the PHA:
    • When they last opened it and how they announce openings.
    • Whether you can sign up for email/text alerts or a mailing list.
  • If you receive a denial letter, read it closely. You typically have a right to an informal review within a stated deadline.
  • To request a review, follow the instructions in the letter and submit your request in writing before the deadline; you can also request an accommodation if your disability affects your ability to meet that deadline.
  • While you wait for vouchers or appeal a denial, you can contact:
    • 211 (by phone or 211.org) for local shelter, rapid rehousing, or emergency rental assistance.
    • Your state or local housing or human services department for short-term housing support options.

Following these steps with your local PHA and related agencies will give you the best chance to get onto the right waiting lists, keep your place, and use a disability-related housing voucher if one becomes available.