NYC Rent Freeze Program (SCRIE/DRIE)

Quick Facts

• Benefit type: Rent freeze for eligible tenants, funded through property tax abatements to landlords.
• Programs covered: Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) and Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE).
• What it does: Locks rent at the current legal amount for qualifying tenants so they do not pay future increases approved by the Rent Guidelines Board or housing agencies.
• Who qualifies: Low-income senior and disabled renters living in rent-stabilized, rent-controlled, Mitchell-Lama, or certain Housing Development Fund Corporation (HDFC) cooperative units.
• How to apply: Submit an application online, by mail, or in person to the NYC Department of Finance (DOF) with proof of age/disability, income, and rent-regulated status.

Program Overview

New York City’s Rent Freeze Program keeps housing affordable for vulnerable renters by preventing rent increases once tenants qualify. Instead of raising rent, landlords receive a property tax credit equal to the forgone rent increases. The program comprises two components: SCRIE for seniors age 62 or older, and DRIE for tenants with disabilities who receive federal or state disability benefits. Both require that the household income does not exceed $50,000 and that the rent is more than one-third of household income. Once granted, the rent freeze remains in effect as long as the tenant recertifies annually and remains eligible.

The freeze applies to rent-stabilized, rent-controlled, rent-regulated lofts, Mitchell-Lama developments, and certain HDFC cooperatives. Tenants in public housing or Section 8 units do not qualify because their rent is already capped based on income. Importantly, the program does not reduce rent below the current level—it simply locks it. The City issues the landlord an abatement credit, so landlords are compensated for the lost increases, ensuring cooperation.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, tenants must meet all the following:

1. Age or disability: For SCRIE, at least one head of household must be 62 or older. For DRIE, the tenant must receive disability benefits such as SSDI, SSI, VA disability pension/compensation, or be enrolled in the Access-A-Ride program with Social Security Disability as the reason.
2. Income limit: Total household income must be $50,000 or less. Include income of everyone living in the apartment whose name is on the lease or who is related to the head of household and contributes to rent.
3. Rent burden: Rent must be more than one-third of monthly household income. For example, a household earning $30,000 annually ($2,500 monthly) must pay at least $834 in rent to qualify.
4. Housing type: The unit must be rent-regulated (rent-stabilized, rent-controlled, or Mitchell-Lama). Tenants must have a valid lease or rent order showing the legal regulated rent.
5. Primary residence: The tenant must occupy the unit as their primary home and not sublet it.
6. Application and recertification: Tenants must submit a complete application and recertify annually to maintain the freeze.

Special Situations

• Cooperative shareholders: Certain HDFC co-ops regulated by HPD qualify if the shareholder occupies the unit and pays a carrying charge equivalent to rent.
• Succession rights: Family members who legally succeed a lease may apply if they meet age/disability and income requirements.
• Hotel stabilization: Some Single Room Occupancy (SRO) units with rent stabilization are eligible. Provide documentation of legal rent.

Benefit Details

• Freeze effective date: The rent freeze takes effect on the first day of the month following approval if submitted within 90 days of a rent increase notice. If applied later, the freeze starts on the first day of the month after DOF receives the application.
• Amount frozen: The tenant continues to pay the frozen rent. Future increases (e.g., annual Rent Guidelines Board hikes, Major Capital Improvement increases, Maximum Base Rent adjustments) are paid via tax abatement credits to the landlord.
• Retroactivity: DOF can grant retroactive freezes if you apply within 90 days of receiving a rent increase notice. Otherwise, you may owe interim increases until approval.
• Recertification: Tenants must renew annually by submitting updated income and rent documentation. Failure to recertify results in removal from the program, and rent can reset to the legal amount.

Application Process

1. Obtain application: Download forms from the NYC Rent Freeze page or call 311 to request a paper application. There are separate forms for SCRIE and DRIE, though they request similar information.
2. Gather documentation: Collect proof of age or disability, income documents for all household members, recent rent statements or lease, ID, and proof of primary residence (utility bills, voter registration).
3. Complete the form: Provide household information, rent amount, landlord details, and any recent rent increase notices. Indicate whether you are applying due to a new rent increase or renewing.
4. Submit application: Send the application online through DOF’s Rent Freeze portal, mail it to NYC Department of Finance, SCRIE/DRIE Exemptions, P.O. Box 3179, Union, NJ 07083, or deliver it to a DOF Business Center. Keep copies of everything.
5. Await determination: DOF typically processes applications within 10–15 weeks. You will receive an Approval Order (Form Notice of Benefit Approval) showing the frozen rent amount and effective date.
6. Notify landlord: Provide a copy of the approval to your landlord or managing agent so they can adjust billing. Landlords receive abatements automatically through the tax system but may need your order to update rent statements.
7. Recertify annually: Approximately 6 months before expiration, DOF sends recertification notices. Submit updated documents before the deadline to avoid losing the freeze.

Required Documentation Checklist

• Proof of age (birth certificate, passport) for SCRIE applicants or proof of disability benefits (SSDI/SSI award letter, VA award letter) for DRIE.
• Government-issued photo ID for all adult household members.
• Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) letters.
• Income documents: recent federal and state tax returns, W-2s, 1099s, SSA-1099, pension statements, pay stubs, unemployment records.
• Current lease, rent registration, or Rent Guidelines Board order showing legal rent.
• Recent rent bill or statement showing current rent charged.
• Proof of primary residency (utility bills, bank statements, voter registration at the address).
• If applying for succession, provide proof of relationship and occupancy (birth certificates, marriage certificates, prior leases).

Deadlines and Timing

• Initial application: Apply within 90 days of a rent increase notice for retroactive protection. You can apply anytime, but the freeze starts after DOF receives the application.
• Recertification: Submit renewals by the date indicated on your approval order (usually annually). DOF allows late renewals within a limited grace period; beyond that, benefits lapse.
• Processing: Expect 10–15 weeks for initial approvals, longer during peak periods (summer). Check status via 311 or the Rent Freeze portal.
• Landlord abatements: Landlords receive abatements through the Department of Finance property tax billing cycles; tenants do not need to take action once approved.

Interaction with Other Programs

• Section 8 and NYCHA: Tenants receiving Section 8 vouchers or living in public housing are not eligible because their rent is already income-based.
• HEAP and SCRIE/DRIE: Rent freeze benefits do not count as income, so they do not affect eligibility for the Home Energy Assistance Program or SNAP.
• Senior Citizen Homeowners’ Exemption (SCHE): Some seniors who become homeowners later can transition from SCRIE to SCHE. Notify DOF to avoid overlap.
• Rent overcharge complaints: If you suspect your landlord is charging more than the legal regulated rent, file an overcharge complaint with the state Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) even while on the freeze.

Maximizing Your Benefit

1. Apply early: Don’t wait for a rent increase to become effective. As soon as you receive a renewal lease with a higher rent, submit your application to ensure the freeze applies immediately.
2. Maintain documentation: Keep a binder with income statements, rent bills, and approval letters. You’ll need them each year for recertification and any landlord disputes.
3. Verify rent registration: Check the rent history for your unit via DHCR to confirm the legal regulated rent. Ensure the freeze is applied to the correct rent amount.
4. Coordinate with roommates: If multiple eligible tenants share the apartment, apply together. Only one rent freeze per apartment is granted, but income from all household members is considered.
5. Use counseling services: Community organizations such as LiveOn NY, Legal Aid Society, and BronxWorks offer free assistance filing applications and appeals. They can ensure forms are complete and help with denials.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Missing the 90-day window: Applying more than 90 days after a rent increase notice may cost you retroactive coverage, leading to temporary higher rent charges.
• Incomplete income documentation: Failing to provide all income sources, including small pensions or interest, can result in denial.
• Ignoring recertification letters: If you miss the recertification deadline, the freeze ends and rent jumps to the legal amount. Mark your calendar.
• Misreporting household members: All household members and their income must be listed. Undocumented occupants can jeopardize benefits.
• Not informing landlord: While landlords receive notice through tax billing, providing them with the approval order ensures they stop billing rent increases.

Example Scenarios

• Senior in rent-stabilized apartment: Eleanor, age 75, earns $27,000 annually from Social Security and a small pension. Her rent increased from $1,200 to $1,260. She applied for SCRIE within 60 days and now pays $1,200 going forward. Her landlord receives tax abatements for the $60 monthly increase.
• Disabled tenant in Mitchell-Lama building: Carlos, 48, receives SSDI of $22,000 per year. His rent was set to rise from $950 to $1,020. DRIE approval freezes his rent at $950. The Mitchell-Lama management company receives the equivalent tax credit.
• Successor tenant: After her mother passed away, Denise (age 64) succeeded the rent-controlled lease. She provided proof of succession and income of $18,000, qualifying for SCRIE. Her rent remains at $750 despite Maximum Base Rent adjustments.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does the program reduce arrears? No. SCRIE/DRIE only freezes future increases. You must still pay existing arrears or work out a payment plan with your landlord.
• What happens if income rises above $50,000? You must report income changes. If income exceeds the limit, the freeze ends, and rent returns to the legal amount at the next lease renewal.
• Can I transfer the benefit if I move? No. You must reapply for the new apartment and meet eligibility requirements.
• Is there an asset limit? No. Only income and rent burden determine eligibility, though DOF may review large assets if they generate income.
• Can landlords challenge the freeze? Landlords can file appeals with DOF if they believe the tenant is ineligible. Tenants should respond promptly with documentation to maintain benefits.

Additional Resources

• NYC Rent Freeze Program overview and applications
• Rent Freeze portal for online applications
• LiveOn NY SCRIE/DRIE assistance
• Legal Aid Society tenant help line
• DHCR Rent Info Line: 833-499-0343