To find out how to apply for Section 8 housing in Mississippi, applicants should familiarize themselves with the Section 8 program and discover the requirements set forth by the Public Housing Agency (PHA) and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) . Before submitting a Section 8 application, prospective petitioners can find out if their annual gross income matches the eligibility criteria established for the Section 8 program. There are many different facets when learning how to apply for housing assistance that are often misunderstood or overlooked. For instance, applicants who sign up for HUD housing are encouraged to submit a Section 8 application to as many housing authorities as possible in order to increase the chances of securing a housing voucher. For this information, plus tips on when to submit a Section 8 application and how to sign up for Section 8 in multiple counties of Mississippi, continue on to review the sections below.

Learn When to Submit HUD Section 8 Applications in Mississippi

Applicants who wish to know how to apply for housing assistance in Mississippi should know when to apply. A common misconception that occurs when learning how to sign up for Section 8 is the idea that a petitioner can submit an application at any time he or she wishes. However, applicants are only able to sign up for HUD housing when the PHA office is open and accepting applications. This means that applicants who register for Section 8 housing program benefits should first determine the county they wish to live and whether or not that county office is accepting applications. Mississippi has various housing authorities that may be closed for enrollment at any given time. Since the amount of applicants who sign up for HUD housing exceeds the number of housing units available, a PHA office will close once the waiting list becomes longer than anticipated. Applicants who register for Section 8 housing program benefits should understand that simply because an office is open does not mean that the Section 8 application will be approved or will receive priority to immediate homes. A waiting list is almost guaranteed upon approval.

Learn How to Sign up for Section 8 Benefits in Mississippi

Part of understanding how to sign up for Section 8 in Mississippi includes the expectations from every PHA office an applicant applies to. While one PHA office may accept a Section 8 application in person or by mail, another PHA office may only accept online submissions. Those who register for Section 8 housing program benefits online will realize this is the fastest and most efficient way to apply to the Section 8 program. It will make the Section 8 application as smooth as possible to know in advance what each PHA office expects from their applicants. It is important to note that a Section 8 application may receive preference in Mississippi depending on the criteria set forth by the local PHA office. Applicants who sign up for HUD housing benefits that are involuntarily displaced from their home, elderly, disabled or working at least 20 hours a week may have the opportunity for their place on the waiting list to improve. It is important to know how to apply for housing assistance by being prepared for what to expect from the Section 8 application. Applicants who sign up for HUD housing may be required to submit a preliminary application which requests the following information:

• Names of all family members in the household
• Dates of birth for all family members in the household
• Relationship to the head of household
• Social Security Number for all family members in the household
• Total household income
• Place of employment for all working family members in the household
• Any government benefits being received by any family members in the household

Once a claimant submits the Section 8 application and is approved, he or she will be added to the waiting list for housing assistance. Be warned, some waiting lists can reach up to four years depending on the county. Applicants who sign up for HUD housing and are placed on the waiting list will be responsible for reporting any changes to their current living situation in the interim. Changes to a Section 8 application involving income, phone number, current address and more should be sent to the local PHA office.

Learn How to Check the Status of Your Section 8 Application in Mississippi

After understanding how to apply for Section 8 housing in Mississippi and submitting a Section 8 application, it is important to know what comes next. For those applicants who register for Section 8 housing program benefits online, it may be as easy as signing back into the dashboard periodically to verify any status updates. Applicants who sign up for HUD housing in Mississippi are encouraged not to call the local PHA office to check the status of the pre-application. Instead, they will be notified in writing upon approval. Once a Section 8 application is submitted and approved, the individual or family will be placed on the waiting list and will be notified by mail when to come in to the office to submit a formal application and interview . Applicants who register for Section 8 housing program benefits will be placed on the waiting list according to when the Section 8 application was submitted to the local PHA.