Can Section 8 Find Out if Your Working? Read the Facts

In most cases yes, you can find out it.

Because section 8 housing requires a background check including income and household composition, the landlord or managers can determine if there is fraud occurring. 

If a participant is using section 8 benefits for an individual who is not entitled to it, then the participant will be removed from the program and not allowed to participate again for a number of years. Read about the eligibility.

You have a right to privacy. Therefore, yes, you can keep your employment a secret from the Section 8 officials.

• The only thing required of you is to report your income and that’s it. If you want to be extra secretive, you can tell them that the money came from the sale of an asset.

I’m not saying that this will get you in trouble with the law or anything like that. But, it could land you in trouble with your local Section 8 office if they find out and decide to punish you for lying to them.

The punishment could be as small as getting kicked out or as big as facing criminal charges depending on your local laws and policies. As long as you don’t commit any other fraud, I think that it should be alright.

The other thing is that you have to keep this income a secret from your landlord. This is a big deal because, without that income, you could be evicted, have your Section 8 voucher taken away, or even see your home foreclosed.

Don’t Want any Hassles at all, Just Come Clean About it.

You run the risk of losing your housing assistance if you don’t report your income. I would suggest that you don’t lie to them, but if you really want to keep your housing assistance, and don’t care about the consequences of getting caught, then go ahead and tell them. And if you have a choice between getting kicked out of your housing assistance, or going to jail for lying about your income, then I would suggest that you tell them the truth.

• Reporting requirements vary by program, so talk with your local public housing authority or HUD-approved housing counseling agency about your specific obligations.
• A counselor can also explain how to protect yourself from eviction or homelessness if you lose your benefits and help you plan ahead to avoid financial crises.
• Some groups have been accused of deliberately misleading callers and giving them incorrect information. The Fair Housing Council of San Antonio, for example, has been accused of giving out inaccurate information to callers who are seeking housing assistance.

If you’re already at risk of eviction, find a local legal aid provider for free legal help with your case.