What Counts as Disability-Related Expenses for a Housing Voucher?

Housing vouchers, such as the federal Housing Choice (Section 8) Voucher, sometimes give extra consideration to certain disability-related expenses when calculating what a household can afford to pay in rent. HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational site only; you must use official housing authority or government channels to apply or make changes.

Not every expense related to a disability is counted, and the exact rules can vary by program and location. Below is how disability expenses are typically treated in federal voucher programs and what you can do next.

Fast Answer: Which Disability Expenses Usually Count?

In most housing voucher programs that follow federal HUD rules, “disability assistance expenses” and “medical expenses” related to a disability can sometimes be deducted from your income calculation if:

• The expense is reasonable and necessary due to a disability, and
• It is not reimbursed by insurance, Medicaid, or another program.

Here are the types of disability-related expenses that are often counted:

• Attendant care services needed so a disabled adult can work (home health aide, personal care attendant, job coach).
• Special transportation costs related to a disability and work (paratransit fare beyond regular public transit, disability-related taxi or rideshare to work).
• Service animal costs, such as food and vet care, when the animal is needed due to a disability.
• Disability-related equipment needed to work or function independently at home (e.g., certain adaptive devices, special communications equipment), if not reimbursed.
• Ongoing medical or disability-related costs that meet program rules, such as some prescription drugs, treatments, or therapy.

These are not “extra money” you receive, but deductions that may reduce your “counted income,” which can lower your share of rent. The local Public Housing Agency (PHA) always makes the final decision case by case.

Key Terms You’ll See

• Public Housing Agency (PHA): The local housing authority or agency that runs the voucher program in your area.
• Disability assistance expenses: Unreimbursed costs for services or devices that enable a disabled family member (usually an adult) to work.
• Medical expenses: Certain unreimbursed health-related costs, sometimes including disability-related items.
• Adjusted income: Your income after subtracting approved allowances and deductions, which is used to calculate your rent share.

Does This Apply to Me?

This topic usually applies if:

• Your household already has or is applying for a Housing Choice (Section 8) Voucher or another HUD-funded voucher, and
• Someone in your household has a disability, and
• You pay out-of-pocket disability or medical expenses that are not reimbursed by insurance or another program.

PHAs often consider these deductions when they first determine your eligibility and each year when they recertify your income and rent. If you do not report disability-related expenses, they might not be counted, even if they qualify.

Because rules and names of deductions can vary by state and by housing authority, you should confirm with your local PHA what they recognize as disability and medical expenses under their policy.

What Typically Counts — and What Usually Does Not

Here is a simplified view of how PHAs often look at disability-related expenses. This is not a complete list, but it gives you a practical starting point.

Quick Summary Table: Disability-Related Expenses and Housing Vouchers

*“Commonly counted” means frequently allowed under HUD-style rules, but final decisions are made by the local PHA.

Disability Assistance Expenses (Work-Related)

PHAs typically allow disability assistance expenses that:

1. Are necessary to enable a disabled family member (usually an adult) to work, and
2. Are not covered or reimbursed by another source, and
3. Are reasonable in cost for your area.

Common examples include:

• Personal care attendants or in-home aides while the disabled person is at work.
• Specialized transportation when regular public transit is not usable due to disability.
• Job coaching or disability-related employment supports.

The PHA often compares these expenses to the income of the working family member to set how much can be deducted.

Medical Expenses Tied to a Disability

PHAs sometimes allow medical expenses as a separate deduction, especially for elderly or disabled households as defined by HUD. These may include:

• Health insurance premiums you pay yourself.
• Co-pays and deductibles for doctor visits, hospital care, or therapy.
• Prescription medications.
• Medically necessary equipment or supplies.

When an expense is disability-related and also medical, it may be counted under the medical expense category rather than “disability assistance,” depending on local policy.

Real-World Friction to Watch For

A common reason disability expenses are not counted is that people do not provide proof (like receipts, invoices, or letters from providers) or they assume the PHA already knows about their disability costs and do not list them at recertification. PHAs generally need clear documentation before they will approve a deduction.

Your Next Steps to Have Disability Expenses Counted

If you already have or are applying for a voucher and you pay for disability-related expenses, you typically need to proactively report and document them. Here’s a practical sequence:

1. Confirm the rules with your PHA.

   • Do this next: Call or visit your local housing authority or Public Housing Agency and ask, “Which disability and medical expenses can you deduct from income under your voucher program, and what proof do you need?”
   • You can find contact information for PHAs on HUD’s “Find Your Local Public Housing Agency” page on hud.gov.

2. Gather documentation.
   Commonly helpful items include:

   • Receipts or invoices for attendant care, transportation, medical equipment, or service animal costs.
   • Proof of payment (bank statements, canceled checks, payment app records).
   • Insurance statements showing what was or wasn’t reimbursed.
   • Letters or prescriptions from doctors or licensed providers stating that a service, device, or animal is needed due to a disability.
     Try to keep these organized by type and date.

3. Prepare a simple expense list.

   • Create a list by category and month (for example: “Attendant care – $350/month,” “Paratransit to work – $60/month,” “Service dog vet & food – average $80/month”).
   • Note whether each expense is ongoing or one-time.

4. Submit the information to your PHA.

   • Provide copies (not originals) of receipts and your expense list when you apply or at your annual recertification.
   • Some PHAs accept documents by mail, secure upload, or in person—ask for the method they prefer.
   • What to expect next: The PHA typically reviews your documents, may ask follow-up questions, and then issues a revised income and rent calculation if any deductions are approved.

5. Ask for written confirmation.

   • Request a copy of the income calculation or determination letter that shows what disability or medical expenses they allowed.
   • Keep this with your records so you know what to update next year or if your expenses change.

A simple phone script you can adapt:
“Hello, I’m a voucher applicant/participant. Someone in my household has a disability, and we have unreimbursed expenses related to that. Could you tell me which disability or medical expenses your office can deduct from income and what documents you need from me?”

Avoid Mistakes and Scams

Because housing vouchers involve money and identity information, use a few basic safety checks:

• Only give Social Security numbers, bank details, or full medical records to the official PHA or a clearly identified government agency, not to private individuals offering “help” for a fee.
• Be cautious of anyone who promises guaranteed voucher approval or faster processing in exchange for payment; PHAs typically do not charge application or processing fees.
• To locate trustworthy local help, you can contact 211 (by dialing 2‑1‑1 where available or visiting the official 211 website) and ask for “local housing authority” or “rental assistance” information.

If you are unsure whether a site or phone number is official, look for .gov domains or confirm through HUD’s website or a city/county government site before sharing personal information.

If Your Disability Expenses Weren’t Counted or You Disagree

If you believe your disability-related expenses should have been considered and they were not, you usually have options:

1. Ask for clarification in writing.

   • Request a written explanation of which expenses were disallowed and why.
   • Sometimes an expense can be approved once you provide additional documentation.

2. Provide missing or clearer documentation.

   • If the PHA says there wasn’t enough proof, submit clearer receipts, letters from providers, or proof that insurance didn’t reimburse the costs.

3. Use the informal review or grievance process.

   • Most PHAs have a review or appeal process for voucher decisions.
   • Check your voucher paperwork or the PHA’s website for how to request this and any deadlines.

While there is no guarantee that any particular expense will be approved, being organized, specific, and using the PHA’s official procedures gives you the best chance of having legitimate disability-related expenses counted correctly.