How does Disability Rent Increase Exemption work?

You can keep paying the same amount of rent in the future as you do now if you apply for DRIE and renew on time. You need to be receiving a qualifying disability benefit to qualify for DRIE. You are not required to file taxes to qualify for DRIE. You do not need your landlord’s permission to apply. Once you apply, it takes around 10-15 days to hear back. The NYC Rent Freeze program also includes the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) .

Am I eligible for Disability Rent Increase Exemption?

To be eligible for DRIE, you should be able to answer “Yes” to all of these questions: Are you 18 years old or older? Is your name on the lease? Is your combined household income $50,000 or less in a year? Do you spend more than one-third of your monthly income on rent? Did 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 have received either SSI or SSDI in the past 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

How do I Apply to Disability Rent Increase Exemption?

Apply online If you are applying for DRIE for the first time, you can apply online . Apply during a virtual appointment You can get help applying to DRIE by scheduling a virtual appointment . When scheduling: Under “Select Service”, choose Renter and Homeowner Exemption Programs. Then, choose “Rent Freeze (SCRIE or DRIE) Initial application. Under “Select Location”, choose “Exemptions Virtual Appointments.” Choose a date and time. Then, fill out your contact information to create your appointment. Print an initial application and fill it out. You can also pick one up from the DRIE Assistance Center or call 311 to request an application be mailed to you. Mail your completed and signed application along with supporting documents to: Rent Freeze Program – DRIE P.O. Box 3179 Union, NJ 07083 Find a Department of Finance Assistance Center near you to apply. You may need to schedule an appointment to visit a center.

Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE)

1. How it Works

DRIE helps eligible tenants with disabilities stay in affordable housing by freezing their rent. Tenants pay the frozen rent. A property tax credit covers the difference between the actual rent amount and the frozen rent.

You can keep paying the same amount of rent in the future as you do now if you apply for DRIE and renew on time.
You need to be receiving a qualifying disability benefit to qualify for DRIE.
You are not required to file taxes to qualify for DRIE.
You do not need your landlord’s permission to apply.
Once you apply, it takes around 10-15 days to hear back.
The NYC Rent Freeze program also includes the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE).

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2. Determine Your Eligibility

2. Determine your eligibility

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

Are you 18 years old or older?
Is your name on the lease?
Is your combined household income $50,000 or less in a year?
Do you spend more than one-third of your monthly income on rent?
Did 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 have received either SSI or SSDI in the past
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

Take a short survey to see if you might be eligible for this or 30 other programs.

Am I Eligible?

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3. How to Apply

3. How to apply

Here are your options.

Apply online

If you are applying for DRIE for the first time, you can apply online.

Apply during a virtual appointment

You can get help applying to DRIE by scheduling a virtual appointment. When scheduling:

Under “Select Service”, choose Renter and Homeowner Exemption Programs. Then, choose “Rent Freeze (SCRIE or DRIE) Initial application.
Under “Select Location”, choose “Exemptions Virtual Appointments.”
Choose a date and time. Then, fill out your contact information to create your appointment.

Apply online

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Rent freeze for people with disabilities