How the Section 8 Voucher Amount Is Calculated
The Housing Choice Voucher subsidy splits rent between you (TTP) and HUD (HAP). Here is the exact math from 24 CFR § 982 and HUD Handbook 7420.10.
1. Adjusted income
Start from gross monthly income, then subtract HUD deductions: $480/year per dependent, $525/year per elderly or disabled household member, dollar-for-dollar non-reimbursed medical (elderly/disabled only) and childcare, and any excluded disability assistance.
2. Tenant payment (TTP)
TTP = the greater of (a) 30% of adjusted income, (b) 10% of gross income, or (c) the PHA minimum rent. This is your share of the rent.
3. Housing Assistance Payment (HAP)
HAP = min(payment standard, total rent including utilities) − TTP. The PHA pays HAP directly to your landlord. The payment standard is usually the HUD Fair Market Rent for your unit size.
4. The 40% first-lease cap
When you first sign a lease, HUD caps TTP at 40% of adjusted income so very low-income households are not rent-burdened above that line. Later, the cap no longer applies.
Try it
Select your state and county to auto-load the HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent — no manual FMR entry needed.
Statutory Provenance & Fact-Checking Standards
✓ Verified HUD FY2026 FMR RulesMaintained under the editorial review of Raymond Vance, MSW (HUD Section 8 Housing Specialist). All calculation algorithms are calibrated against statutory federal regulations:24 CFR § 982.503 (Voucher Payment Standards),24 CFR § 982.505 (HAP Calculation),HUD Handbook 7420.10G, andFY2026 County-Level Fair Market Rent (FMR) Datasets (89 FR 73400).
VoucherFig Housing Policy Group. (2026). U.S. 3,143-County Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher & Fair Market Rent Analysis System (FY2026 ed.). VoucherFig. https://voucherfig.comFAQ
What is TTP?
Total Tenant Payment — what you pay toward rent. It is the highest of 30% of adjusted income, 10% of gross income, or a PHA minimum (often $0–$50).
What is HAP?
Housing Assistance Payment — the subsidy HUD pays your landlord. HAP = min(payment standard, total rent) − TTP.
What is the 40% cap?
At your first lease, TTP cannot exceed 40% of adjusted monthly income (the "40% rule"), so very low incomes get a capped TTP and a larger HAP.
Are deductions real?
Yes. HUD allows $480/yr per dependent and $525/yr per elderly/disabled member, plus dollar-for-dollar medical (elderly/disabled) and childcare. These lower adjusted income and your TTP.
Statutory Provenance & Fact-Checking Standards
✓ Verified HUD FY2026 FMR RulesMaintained under the editorial review of Raymond Vance, MSW (HUD Section 8 Housing Specialist). All calculation algorithms are calibrated against statutory federal regulations:24 CFR § 982.503 (Voucher Payment Standards),24 CFR § 982.505 (HAP Calculation),HUD Handbook 7420.10G, andFY2026 County-Level Fair Market Rent (FMR) Datasets (89 FR 73400).
VoucherFig Housing Policy Group. (2026). U.S. 3,143-County Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher & Fair Market Rent Analysis System (FY2026 ed.). VoucherFig. https://voucherfig.com