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Rent freeze for people with disabilities

Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) | NYC Department of Finance (DOF)

How it Works

DRIE helps eligible tenants with disabilities stay in affordable housing by freezing their rent. This means tenants can keep paying what they were paying even if the landlord increases the rent. The landlord will get a property tax credit that covers the difference between the new and original rent amount.

  • You need to be receiving a qualifying disability benefit to qualify for DRIE.
  • Renew on time to keep paying the same amount of rent in the future as you do now.
  • You are not required to file taxes to qualify for DRIE.
  • You do not need your landlord’s permission to apply.
  • The NYC Rent Freeze program also includes the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) for seniors 62 and older.

Determine your eligibility

To be eligible for DRIE, you should be able to answer “yes” to all of these questions:

  1. Are you 18 years old or older?
  2. Is your name on the lease?
  3. Is your combined household income $50,000 or less in a year?
  4. Do you spend more than one-third of your monthly income on rent?
  5. Do you live in NYC in one of these types of housing?
    • a rent stabilized apartment
    • a rent controlled apartment
    • a Mitchell-Lama development
    • a Limited Dividend development
    • a redevelopment company development
    • a Housing Development Fund Company (HDFC) Cooperative development
    • a Section 213 Cooperative unit
    • a rent regulated hotel or single room occupancy unit
  6. Do you have income from the following benefits?
    • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
    • Federal Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
    • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability pension or compensation
    • Disability-related Medicaid if you received either SSI or SSDI in the past

What you need to include

To apply for DRIE, you will need copies of documents that prove:

  • Who you are (and your age)
  • Where you live (with rental amount)
  • Income – This includes your income and the income of all household members who lived in your apartment the year before you submit your application.
  • That you receive a qualifying disability benefit (and award letter)

How to apply

Apply by mail

  1. Print and complete the initial application (or call 311 for an application).
  2. Mail your completed and signed application along with supporting documents to:
    Rent Freeze Program – DRIE
    P.O. Box 3179
    Union, NJ 07083

More information

Learn more online

Visit the NYC Rent Freeze Program website to learn more.

Contact DRIE

Ask for help from the Department of Finance.

Call 311

Ask about DRIE.

Get help with the application

Call 929-252-7242 to get one-on-one help with applying for DRIE from an NYC Public Engagement Unit Specialist.

Call DRIE using TTY

Call 212-639-9675 if you have a hard time hearing.


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Last Updated February 18, 2025