Older New Yorkers Can Freeze Their Rents Without Rising

In New York there is housing program, which allows seniors and people with disabilities to freeze their rent and thereby save money.

SCRIE and DRIE are two rent freeze programs that are specifically designed for New Yorkers over 62 and disabled. They allow rent to be frozen at the current level specified in the lease agreement and prohibit increases.

Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE)

To qualify for SCRIE, New York residents must meet the following requirements:

1. Age – from 62 years
2. Family income – up to $50 per year
3. Living in a rent-regulated, rent-stabilized, or single room occupancy (SRO) apartment
4. Spend more than a third of your income on rent.

On the subject: All city benefits and services in one place: City Hall launched a convenient MyCity portal

Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE)

To qualify for DRIE, New York residents must meet the following requirements:

1. Be over 18 years old

2. Have a household income of up to $50 per year

3. Live in a rent-regulated, rent-stabilized, or SRO apartment

4. Spend more than a third of your income on rent

5. Receive one of the benefits:

• Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI);
• Federal Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI);
• Pension or disability compensation from the US Department of Veterans Affairs;
• Pension or disability compensation from the United States Postal Service (USPS);
• Have disability-related Medicaid coverage.

Call the hotline at 929-252-7242 to speak with a PEU rent freeze specialist.