Section 8

• Though Section 8 housing isn't available to all disabled individuals, those with limited income may qualify. The Department of Housing and Urban Development sponsors the Section 8 housing program, which provides safe and affordable housing to qualifying families in all states. If Section 8 approves your application, you will receive a housing voucher. Section 8 will calculate a fair rent for the area and it will promise to pay 70 percent of that amount each month. You can choose a unit even if it exceeds this fair rent amount, but you can't pay more than 40 percent of your monthly income for rent.
  
  

Section 811

• The Section 811 housing program funds developers of housing for disabled individuals with limited income in all states. To receive funds that don't require repayment, housing providers must maintain supportive, affordable housing for disabled individuals for at least 40 years. Tenants who live in Section 811 housing must pay approximately 30 percent of their monthly income toward housing and Section 811 will provide the remainder of the rent. To find a Section 811 housing provider, contact your local HUD office.
  
  

One-Time Assistance

• For disabled individuals who only need temporary assistance, one-time rental assistance programs are available. In California, a disabled individual may apply for rental assistance from community-based programs, such as the Northern California Grantmakers Rental Guarantee Program and the Discretionary Housing Assistance Program. Most one-time rental assistance programs only provide funds to individuals whose situations are likely to improve. Most programs assist an individual more than once in his lifetime.
  
  

Social Security Disability

• Social Security disability insurance benefits may be available for individuals who paid into the Social Security system for a sufficient amount of time prior to becoming disabled. Though SSDI doesn't provide funds specifically for rent assistance, it provides supplement payments each month that recipients can use to pay rent. An individual's previous wages will determine the amount of benefits he receives each month. Additional benefits may also be available for disabled individuals with dependents.