If you have run out of time to find a landlord (or you are about to run out of time) you may be able to request an extension. If you’ve already lost your voucher, you can request and extension in search time plus the voucher to be reinstated.
Below are examples from readers who had voucher reinstated and/or extensions in search time.
Reason A
Disability Creates Difficulty Finding Landlords
You are disabled. Your disability makes you less able to go out and call and meet with landlords.
Example: “I am disabled. I have the following limitations: Examples of Disability Limitations for Finding Landlord. Due to my disability limitations, I am not able to find a landlord or complete the housing search process as quickly as a person who is not disabled. I require extra time to find a landlord. I am enclosing a verification from my case worker confirming that I am unable to leave my home on most days.”
Reason B
Disability Creates Special Housing Needs
You are disabled. This disability creates special housing. Because the disability, you need a certain type of housing or housing in a certain location. It’s harder to find housing that meets these needs.
Example: “I am disabled. Due to my disability, I require an apartment that has the following features: Examples of Disability Housing Needs. Because an apartment with these features is more difficult to find, it takes additional time to find housing that meets my disability needs.”
Reason C
Disabled Child or Family Member
Your child or other family member is disabled. This disability creates special care needs, making you less able to go out and call and meet with landlords.
Note: The disabled person cannot be a random family member – it must be someone who is included on your voucher and will be living with you.
Example: “My child is on 24 hour home oxygen and requires 24 care. I am his sole caretaker. Due to his oxygen and special health needs, he cannot easily be transported. Because of my child’s disability, I am unable to leave the home and regularly meet with landlords.”
Example: “My child is disabled. Due to my child’s disability, we require an apartment that has the following features: Examples of Disability Housing Needs. Because an apartment with these features is more difficult to find, it takes additional time to find housing that meets my child’s disability needs.”
Learn More
🌸 Everything you need to know about: How to Get a Voucher Back
🌸 Facebook Group: HUD and Section 8 Disabled Residents & Family Members
🌸 Art on this page by Robin Mead and Elizabeth D’Angelo.
Please comment below with stories, ideas, questions or suggestions. Please let us know if any links on this page stop working. If you found this page helpful, please share it with others by pressing one of these magic little buttons:
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How long of an extension should one request? I have seen on here that people have gotten extensions for up to 9 months. Do people ask for extension for 30 days at a time and then the next month request another extension? Or can someone request four months extension at one time?
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I think it is unlikely that they will grant a four month extension all at once. 30 days is typical. It’s possible someone could try for 60.
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