Income

• Section 8 vouchers provide eligible applicants with a subsidy based on annual income. The income rules for disabled persons are less stringent than for able-bodied individuals. The Section 8 home ownership program stipulates that disabled income cannot equal less than the Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, of an individual living alone multiplied by 12. In addition, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, income does not count toward the income requirement used to determine eligibility.
  
  

Deductions

• Deductions reduce the amount of countable income for qualification determination. Disabled persons, or families with a disabled member, receive deductions that able-bodied applicants do not. Income deductions in Illinois include a $400 household deduction, $480 dependent deduction and deductions for expenses. Expenses include approved medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, ramps or vehicle modifications.
  
  

Reexamination

• The Section 8 program requires a reexamination, which involves the review of income, assets, resources and family composition. Families with able-bodied members complete the reexamination on a biennial basis in Illinois. Families with a disabled member complete the process on a triennial basis, or every three years. The reexamination recalculates the recipient's income, which can result in an increased or decreased rental payment.
  
  

General Rules

• The Section 8 program requires participants to follow a set of general guidelines. Recipients of the subsidy must allow an annual inspection of the unit to ensure habitability. Recipients must also notify the Illinois housing authority within 10 days when income or family composition changes. Disabled participants must provide updated documentation on their disability status.