Finding affordable housing on disability benefits is one of the biggest challenges facing SSI and SSDI recipients. When your monthly income is $994 from SSI — and average rent in most parts of the country far exceeds that — figuring out how to keep a roof over your head requires knowing what programs exist and how to access them. The good news is there are several housing assistance options available, and many are specifically designed for people with disabilities.
In this article, we'll cover:
- How much SSI allows for rent and housing expenses
- HUD Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers for people with disabilities
- Section 811 Supportive Housing for people with disabilities
- How SSI's in-kind support and maintenance rules affect your housing situation
- State and local housing programs you may not know about
- Tips for applying and getting off waiting lists faster
How Much of Your SSI Can Go to Rent?
SSI doesn't set a specific cap on how much of your benefit you can spend on rent — that's your decision. But the reality is that the federal SSI payment of $994 per month in 2026 doesn't leave much room. In most cities, even a modest one-bedroom apartment takes up the majority of that payment, leaving very little for food, transportation, medical co-pays, and other essentials.
This is exactly why housing assistance programs exist. Without some form of rental subsidy, many SSI recipients face impossible math every month.
It's also important to understand how your living situation can affect your SSI payment amount. If someone else is paying your rent or letting you live rent-free, SSA may reduce your SSI through a rule called in-kind support and maintenance (ISM). The maximum ISM reduction is roughly one-third of the federal benefit rate plus $20 — approximately $351 per month in 2026. So if you're living with family who covers your housing costs, your SSI check could be reduced to around $643 per month. This makes finding your own subsidized housing even more important for maximizing your income.
HUD Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers
The Housing Choice Voucher program, commonly known as Section 8, is administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) and funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). If you qualify, the program pays a portion of your rent directly to your landlord, and you pay the difference — typically 30% of your adjusted monthly income.
For an SSI recipient earning $994 per month with no other income, that means your share of the rent would be approximately $298 per month, with the voucher covering the rest up to the local payment standard. This can make housing that would otherwise be completely unaffordable suddenly within reach.
People with disabilities often receive priority on Section 8 waiting lists, though the specifics vary by PHA. Some PHAs have dedicated voucher allocations for non-elderly people with disabilities. The biggest challenge with Section 8 is the waiting list — in many areas, the list is years long, and some are closed to new applications entirely. Apply to every PHA in your area and any surrounding areas where you'd be willing to live. Vouchers are portable, meaning you can use them at any participating landlord in any PHA jurisdiction.
Section 811 Supportive Housing
Section 811 is a HUD program specifically for very low-income adults with disabilities. Unlike Section 8, which provides a voucher you can use at private-market rentals, Section 811 funds the development of affordable housing units that are set aside for people with disabilities. Some Section 811 housing is integrated into mainstream apartment communities, while other projects are dedicated affordable housing developments.
Rent in Section 811 housing is typically set at 30% of your adjusted income, similar to Section 8. The advantage is that these units are purpose-built or designated for people with disabilities, so they're more likely to be accessible and connected to supportive services. The disadvantage is that the supply is extremely limited — there are far fewer Section 811 units than there are people who need them.
To find Section 811 housing in your area, contact your state's housing finance agency or HUD's local field office. Your local Center for Independent Living can also help you identify available units.
Other Housing Programs Worth Exploring
Beyond Section 8 and Section 811, several other programs can help with housing costs. HUD Public Housing is government-owned affordable housing where rent is set at 30% of income, similar to Section 8. Many public housing developments have accessible units. USDA Rural Development Housing offers rental assistance for people in rural areas through its Section 521 program, and people with disabilities often receive preference. State-funded housing programs vary widely but many states have their own rental assistance, housing trust funds, or emergency housing programs for people with disabilities. Medicaid HCBS waivers in many states cover certain housing-related supports (though generally not rent itself), such as home modifications, assistive technology for the home, and personal care services. The monthly income threshold for many Medicaid waiver programs is 300% of SSI, which is approximately $2,982 per month in 2026.
Tips for Getting Housing Assistance
Apply everywhere and apply early. Don't limit yourself to one waiting list — apply for Section 8 at every PHA within commuting distance, and apply for any Section 811 or public housing that's accepting applications. Ask about disability-specific set-asides, since some PHAs reserve a portion of their vouchers for people with disabilities, and these separate waiting lists are often shorter. Keep your contact information current, because if a PHA tries to reach you and can't, they'll skip to the next person on the list. Work with your local Center for Independent Living — CILs specialize in helping people with disabilities find housing and can guide you through the application process, help with paperwork, and connect you with programs you might not find on your own. Consider related programs like HUD-VASH if you're a veteran with a disability, as these vouchers often have shorter waiting lists.
Housing is the biggest expense for most people on disability benefits. Purple helps SSI and SSDI recipients manage their finances with checking accounts designed to track resources, monitor spending, and stay compliant with benefit rules.