Renting on SSI, SSDI or another fixed income

The short answer

Two different income tests can apply to the same apartment. The program sets the most you can earn for a restricted unit. The owner may set the least you need to earn in screening. On benefits, you can be well under the program’s limit and still fall short of the owner’s minimum.

Before you pay any fee, find out which test you’re facing, whether the unit comes with rental assistance and what the full monthly cost is.

Ask which income test they mean

When a property mentions an income requirement, ask whether it means the program’s maximum or the owner’s minimum. Get both numbers in writing. You can check the published tax credit limits with our income comparison tool, but the provider works out what counts as program income.

Find out if the unit has rental assistance

A rent restricted unit without assistance may quote a fixed rent. With an assisted unit, the provider may work out your share of the rent based on your income. Ask which one you’re looking at. A “senior affordable” label doesn’t tell you. HUD describes senior and disability housing programs.

If you have a voucher, we ask each community whether its income rule looks at your share of the rent or the full rent. The agency running your assistance can walk you through the proposed rent math. A blanket “three times the full rent” rule may not be the one that applies.

For more on how assisted units differ, see our guides to Housing Choice Vouchers and project based Section 8.

Build a rent budget you can keep up with

Make a budget from the money you get after deductions. Keep it separate from the property’s program income math. List food, medical costs, transportation, utilities and other regular bills before you pick a rent target.

Then add up these costs next to the rent:

• Electricity, water or other utilities you pay.
• Required monthly services and optional services you want.
• Getting to regular appointments, groceries and other basics.
• Deposits, application fees and moving costs.
• Any rent change you expect once a temporary special ends.

Compare the full monthly cost with the income you can use. Our application fee calculator can help you see what several applications would cost.

Documents for benefit income

SSA’s benefit verification letter can show your benefits and amounts. It covers Social Security and SSI. SSA says you can get one right away through a my Social Security account, then view, print or save it. You can call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). A mailed letter goes to the address SSA has on file within 10 business days.

Ask management what else they need, and whether you have to report other household income or assets too. The amount that lands in your account after deductions isn’t always the number a program counts. Let the provider work that out.

See the full list in what documents you need to apply.

Age rules, access and services

We look at each community’s age and occupancy rules. Management makes the final call. Ask about accessible features and services yourself, in writing if you can. An age rule doesn’t mean a community provides personal care.

For the difference between age qualified and standard units, see senior affordable vs standard income restricted units. For access needs, see finding an apartment that meets your access needs.

If a disability makes a rule hard to meet

Reasonable accommodation guidance explains how to ask for a change to a rule or practice. Each request turns on its own facts, and asking doesn’t mean every money requirement gets waived. Keep the request and response, and get qualified help if you want to challenge a denial.

If the numbers don’t work

Ask about assisted options and local help before you pay another fee. TDHCA’s Help for Texans lists assistance providers. You may qualify for other benefits too. See what else you may qualify for. You can find official Texas assistance routes on our housing assistance page.