Given the way things are now with the economy, it’s highly possible that you have moved in with friends or loved ones (parents, siblings or children). Can you still get government assistance if you’ve moved in? Here are some tips that can maximize your chances of getting assistance.
Determine who the head of the household is
For many government offers, like Section 8 or Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV), the application for a household or a unit can only be done by the head of the household, the one who will be recognized as the main income earner for the group of people living in one unit or house.
Group and individual details matter
Relationships, earnings and state of health of the various members of the group/family will be taken into account. These include individual benefits (such as those for unemployment or disability), as some states and programs may require that they be listed. Important information would be those for household members who qualify for disability or retirement benefits and considerations. This is particularly important for low-income or affordable housing programs.
Take stock of what you own
If you’re the head of the household, you should take into account what the household owns, in terms of luxury items, appliances and vehicles. For some housing assistance programs, these play a valuable part in their evaluation.
Get advice
The most important step is the first: Inquire at your local public housing agency or HUD-related government office for local qualifications for all possible housing assistance programs. After that, if you think there are ways to improve your application, don’t hesitate to get advice from non-profit organizations in your area that specialize in housing concerns – many of these also being public housing authority agencies.
Sign up on the box at the right for more information on public housing options and programs.
13 Responses
I’m a student in college and a working mom raising one young lady and right now we are living with a family member . However, there’s very little room for use. And my girl is 10 and needs her space for study and a room where she can get dress without other around. Please help use, how can we get a voucher so we can get our on place to stay.
Posted on July 22nd, 2010 at 6:42 pm
Hello I live in PA and trying to move to Fl could u possibly send me info on getting help from housing/hud or whatever you have in Melbourne Fl…I have 2 children and one of them has disabilities so I am a stay home mom and the only income i receive is my sons ssi and cash assistance from the county.
Posted on July 28th, 2010 at 4:39 am
Hello, Holly!
All cities and areas have a local version of the Section 8 or Housing Choice Vouchers Program. A representative should be available at your local government offices. For additional assistance, given your situation, we would also suggest that you apply for LIHEAP and SNAP assistance. You should also see if your disabled child qualifies for further disability benefits. If your children are still in elementary-level education, you should also see if there are available School Breakfast and Lunch programs (NSLP – National School Lunch Programs). Please do sign up for our offers – some of them may be able to help you with your concerns.
Posted on July 28th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
Hello, Reshunda!
Your best bet would be to contact your nearest Public Housing Authorities, and if there is more than one, to choose which among them will have the shortest waiting list. However, you should also take into consideration that you may need more support from the government if you will live on your own, given your situation right now. For now, you may have to make do until you can get a better job. Do sign up for our offers – one of them may have a solution for your concerns.
Posted on July 28th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Hi im a mother of two little girls and we are curently moving from house to house this is our last month to say here where we have been staying moving on to the womens shelther in sanjose its very hard for me to get around and i
want to know more about the housing programs to help me get back into school n these girls a roof over there head. they think hoping around is the way to live and it breaks my heart that i can not do much to help, i do all i can, and keep them well hygened n clothed its just im 21 and my babys father is in prison and left us here with nothing and out of a place to live due to his acctions. i want to know what i should do to get started on a new life and get some kind of assistence.?
Posted on August 5th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
Hello, Angelina!
Given your situation, I think the best thing to do right now is to apporach all possible contacts in the local government offices and, if there is, livelihood training programs in your neighborhood. No one program can answer all the needs you have at the moment, but a combination of TANF, Social Security, LIHEAP, WAP and local community programs may be able to help you get a head start at least. Do not be afraid to seek help to get back on your feet.
Posted on August 13th, 2010 at 6:43 am
My daughter and her 2 yr old is moving here to Fort Wayne and will be temporarily living in my home that I already share with my husband and 3 other adult kids. She has no transportation and no job but she is eager to get back on her feet and into the working forum. She has a tag-a-log baby daddy that has no job skills but he will be staying in a shelter. What steps should she take to get some assistance, get a job and get some means of transportation so that she can stand on her own and provide for her daughter and is there some schooling or assistance for the boyfriend so he can learn to do something more than fast food and help her provide for their daughter?
Posted on August 20th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
Hello Sylvie!
If they do apply for all possible assistance with the local government offices, chances are, some of those assistance programs will include job retraining as part of the requirements. What is important is that your daughter’s boyfriend should also apply along with her.
Posted on August 27th, 2010 at 8:00 am
im working but trying to get social sucruity
Posted on October 21st, 2010 at 10:29 pm
Hi my name is cierra smith and i want to no how can i get help i’m homeless and i have a 1year old little boy and i was living wit my mom but she kicked us out in the cold remind u that it is snowin out her my and my baby sleeps in side my granfathers car i really need an aparment asap please can u help me i’m currently look for a job but i really need to get my baby of the cold
Posted on December 10th, 2010 at 8:34 pm
Hi, I am lookin for a 4 bebroom house with 2 bathrooms .I have 2
Posted on December 21st, 2010 at 5:19 am
hi,my daughter is living in my house, I need her to move out,she has no job, she has a 15 year old,she want to wait on her voucher,it been 7years,I don’t under stand why it take this long for them to give someone them,they are building homes every day,so what the problem,I hate to put her in the street,But I want peace of mind,I am 54 years old,she is 35years old,please tell me what to do,or her,it hard to find work,she went to school and took a trade,what a person to do,she been in a shelter,it almost killed her,she was having hi blood pressure,and put her in the hospital,she don’t like it in there.she said it bad in there.
Posted on January 25th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
I have a couple friends who recently had a child(2mos old boy), they are doing EVERYthing they can to keep a roof over there head and their beautiful son fed. All of their money goes to paying the hotel and their child’s well being. They barely eat themselves so their son can be taken care of. SHE- is looking for a job while taking care of their son during the day & HE- does have a job (w/ a certification in underwater welding) and is working as manly hours as he can without completely exhausting himself. They both have horrible credit and can’t qualify for Section 8 because they still have about $3,500 in debt which they obviously can’t pay off. They have exhausted their resources, and know only a couple people where they(and just moved too for his job) living in NC. They can apply for medicare/caid once they have an actual address. I’m afraid their money will run out sooner then later. Is there ANY place they can turn too or get housing so they can remain on their feet and become more stable? (Without checking into a homeless shelter, which I fear is there next step within the next 30 days..) Thank you.
Posted on March 23rd, 2011 at 6:11 am
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