Housing or Section 8, etc in the USA

[Misfit Toy]

Is anyone in the US on SSDI and on Section 8 housing? I am really sick since Covid, CFS, Sjogrens and I know at some point I will have to go into Government housing. I want to get a head start on how to go about doing it.

 

[Alvin2]

I'm not in the USA so i don't have specific knowledge to impart but i presume the waiting lists are many years long so apply right away to get on the list so that you start the clock now.

 

[Misfit Toy]

I'm not in the USA so i don't have specific knowledge to impart but i presume the waiting lists are many years long so apply right away to get on the list so that you start the clock now.

I am not sure I should do that as I still have an inheritance and I would not qualify. I am not sure how this works.

 

[Alvin2]

I am not sure I should do that as I still have an inheritance and I would not qualify. I am not sure how this works.

Then you need to speak to a lawyer.
Around here many will do a free or 20-30 min free initial consult.
There may also be pro bono options available just to ask some questions.

 

[Misfit Toy]

Then you need to speak to a lawyer.
Around here any will do a free or 20-30 min free initial consult.
There may also be pro bono options available just to ask some questions.

Yes, thank you. I did reach out to a lawyer today and will wait to hear back. What surprises me is how few people who are sick are on government assistance. Also, it seems like Phoenix Rising has really died down since 2018. I could be wrong.

 

[Judee]

@gbells and I talk about public housing a bit in this thread (#17 & #18, I believe). https://forums.phoenixrising.me/threads/concerns-about-work-accommodation-in-us.82836/#post-2334429

He isn't on the site much anymore though so I don't know if he would be able to answer any other questions about that for you.

 

[Jessie~]

Just a side note to share about Section 8 housing vouchers:

About 12 years ago I applied for Section 8, and after a waiting period I was accepted and getting set up to receive it. I went to a meeting with others who were being accepted to go over the rules. Around that time I had also recently legally become a Medical Marijuana patient.

They don’t allow that. When the meeting was over, they took my Section 8 voucher away from me and I was absolutely crushed. I left there balling my eyes out and devastated.

Instead of finally getting the much needed housing assistance and living independently, they took it right away from me and I had to move into a family members basement.

I don’t know if any of that has changed since then, or if it varies by each state, but at that time:

*You can’t be a legal Medical Marijuana patient and receive Section 8 housing assistance.

 

[*GG*]

I am not sure I should do that as I still have an inheritance and I would not qualify. I am not sure how this works.

Just apply and see what they say. If you live in the town, you are higher up on the list compared to people who are Not. Some States have an application that can apply (just about) Statewide. So instead of applying to 5 or 10 towns, as an example, it could cover 20 plus?

Not every town/City is going to have affordable housing options. You could go the route of Section 8, but my concern with that is if the homeowner sells, and the new person doesn't want to accept Section 8.

GG

 

[Tammy]

Yes, I get Section 8 help. I'm not really sure there is a way to get a head start on this as to qualify you need to be in a certain financial bracket. Edit to add: I was going to suggest looking into a Special Needs Trust but I see from another thread that you are already familiar with it which is a good thing. More people need to know about it.

 

[Mary]

I just googled "how to apply for section 8 housing" and found this: Housing Choice Voucher Program Section 8 | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Apparently you have to apply with the state you live in. I think the income limits etc vary by region.

 

[Zebra]

The last time I looked into Section 8 Housing Vouchers for my city -- or perhaps county, I'm unsure -- I discovered that the need is so great where I live that even the *Wait List* to apply for Section 8 had been closed for *several* years. Can you believe it?!?!?

Lately I've been thinking about trying to connect with a social worker to see what kind of low-income housing opportunities I might qualify for either here, in my current city or county, or somewhere else entirely.

 

[Misfit Toy]

@Zebra -yes, it's crazy. It sounds like we have to move somewhere else.

 

[Zebra]

Hi, @Misfit Toy

I've got my hands full this spring with more pressing (medical) matters, but if I'm able to revisit the housing situation this summer, I will definitely return to this thread and share what I learn.

Thank you for raising this topic!

 

[PhoenixDown]

Also, it seems like Phoenix Rising has really died down since 2018. I could be wrong.

A bunch of users left in late 2017 due to a major disagreement with the moderators here. PM me for more info.

 

[cheeseater]

Hi, @Misfit Toy

I've got my hands full this spring with more pressing (medical) matters, but if I'm able to revisit the housing situation this summer, I will definitely return to this thread and share what I learn.

Thank you for raising this topic!

Yes, might need to move to a different county in your state. As I said yesterday. For some reason my comment saying that yesterday seems to have disappeared??

 

[Misfit Toy]

For some reason my comment saying that yesterday seems to have disappeared??

Hey, not sure, but I do remember seeing it.

 

[cheeseater]

My bad, it was another thread I mentioned it already.

 

[Jessie~]

Here is a screenshot that I took today from Michigan’s MiBridges website.

It says that the waiting list for Housing Choice Vouchers will be opening soon in 61 counties! On March 22, 2023. I thought it might be helpful for some (in Michigan) if I post this here to let you know of the opportunity opening up soon.

Perhaps this is also happening soon in other states as well? Wouldn’t hurt to check into it for your state or county etc. right now if you are in need.

 

[Rufous McKinney]

Around that time I had also recently legally become a Medical Marijuana patient.

super bummer.

The issue was likely Section 8 is federal $ and you needed to not mention your state-legalized medicine.

 

[Jessie~]

super bummer.

The issue was likely Section 8 is federal $ and you needed to not mention your state-legalized medicine.

Yes, that was exactly the reason. Federal $.

But I knew I couldn’t hide it, because there was so much proof of it in doctors paperwork and the state licensing. And when on assistance programs, you are constantly reminded of fines, jail time, and all of that much needed help that will be taken away from you if you lie about your details or break the rules.

Back then, I thought taking the opportunity to become a legal M.M. patient would be helpful and might protect me. But not in the Section 8 housing situation. It was a super bummer. Lesson learned.