How to Apply for Section 8 Vouchers in Illinois

A Section 8 voucher is a federal subsidy provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development that covers the segment of a low-income family's private market rent that surpasses 30 to 40 percent of their income. Regardless of where you live in Illinois, you follow the same general process to apply for a voucher. Due to long waiting periods and closed waiting lists, actually getting a voucher can be a struggle.

• 1

  Consult HUD's Data Sets website for the latest income limits applicable to the Section 8 program. Your family's combined household income cannot exceed 50 percent of your area's median income. Particular numbers vary across Illinois. For example, in the Springfield, Illinois metropolitan area, 30 percent of the median is $33,000 for a family of four. In the DeKalb County metro, that number rises to $36,450, as of 2010.

• 2

  Contact the public housing agency that covers your area. Congress funds Section 8. And HUD oversees it, but local PHAs administer it. You can search for your PHA at HUD's website. Ask your PHA about the status of its Section 8 waiting list. Many PHAs across Illinois have either closed their waiting list or warn of long waits. For instance, the Chicago Housing Authority website indicates that it's list is closed, as of November 2010.

• 3

  Ask your PHA about local preferences. As HUD's Housing Choice Vouchers fact sheet explains, PHAs have the liberty to set their own preferences. The Rockford Housing Authority, for example, gives preference to families with one adult who has been employed for at least three months, families with one elderly or disabled member and families with at least one member who is between the ages of 50 and 61.

• 4

  Complete an application if and when your PHA's Section 8 waiting list is open. This application simply secures you a spot on the waiting list; it does not guarantee Section 8 benefits. If you qualify for a local preference, you might receive preferential placement on the list, which may decrease your wait time.

• 5

  Wait. When your name reaches the top of the list, a representative from your PHA will contact you to set up an eligibility interview. At this interview, you will confirm the details you submitted with your original application. This includes, but is not limited to, providing income documentation with paycheck stubs, tax returns and other financial documents. You will also need to verify your household composition, secure letters of reference from past landlords and submit to a criminal background check. After a PHA staffer approves your application, the PHA will issue your Section 8 benefits.