How does Disabled Homeowners' Exemption work?

Apply online by March 15th for benefits to begin on July 1. If March 15 falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline is the next business day. If you live in a co-op, you can apply online using the DHE co-ops application Requires proof of disability status, income, and tax deduction All owners must be persons with disabilities unless the property is owned by your spouse or by siblings, who do not need to be disabled If your property qualifies for DHE and the Senior Citizen Homeowner Exemption (SCHE), you will only be granted SCHE; you cannot get both The DHE benefit must be renewed annually. The Department of Finance will send you a renewal application when it is time to renew your benefit. You must renew your exemption by March 15, or your property taxes could increase significantly.

Am I eligible for Disabled Homeowners' Exemption?

To be eligible for DHE, you should be able to answer yes to all of these questions: Are all owners persons with disabilities, OR are other owners the spouses or siblings of the person(s) with disabilities? Is the property your primary residence? Is the combined income for all owners less than or equal to $58,399 per year? Income does NOT include SSI or Cash Assistance benefits. You may be eligible if your property is in a Housing Development Fund Corporation development and is in the Division of Alternative Management Program. Your property cannot be within a housing development controlled by a Limited Profit Housing Company, Mitchell-Lama, Limited Dividend Housing Company, or redevelopment company. Contact your property manager if you are not sure.

How do I Apply to Disabled Homeowners' Exemption?

Apply online by March 15th for benefits to begin on July 1st. If March 15 falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline is the next business day. If you live in a co-op, you can apply online using the DHE co-ops application . Use your address or borough, block and lot (BBL), or property address to find your property and start filing the form. Download the initial exemption application and fill it in. You can also contact 311 for an application to be mailed to you. You will be asked provide the borough, block, and lot (BBL) for your home. You can use the Property Address Search to determine this. Gather your required documents and include them with your application. Your application will not be processed without them. Mail your completed application and required documents to: New York City Department of Finance P.O.BOX 311 Maplewood, NJ 07040-0311 Applications must be postmarked by March 15th for benefits to begin on July 1st each year Apply in person at a Department of Finance Business Center.

Disabled Homeowners Exemption (DHE)

1. How it Works

People with disabilities who own one to three homes, condos, or coop apartments can get property tax on their primary residence lowered through DHE. DHE reduces property tax between five and fifty percent. The property tax reduction depends on how much the family earns.

Apply online by March 15th for benefits to begin on July 1. If March 15 falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline is the next business day.
If you live in a co-op, you can apply online using the DHE co-ops application
Requires proof of disability status, income, and tax deduction
All owners must be persons with disabilities unless the property is owned by your spouse or by siblings, who do not need to be disabled
If your property qualifies for DHE and the Senior Citizen Homeowner Exemption (SCHE), you will only be granted SCHE; you cannot get both
The DHE benefit must be renewed annually. The Department of Finance will send you a renewal application when it is time to renew your benefit. You must renew your exemption by March 15, or your property taxes could increase significantly.

Next section:

2. Determine Your Eligibility

2. Determine your eligibility

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

Are all owners persons with disabilities, OR are other owners the spouses or siblings of the person(s) with disabilities?
Is the property your primary residence?
Is the combined income for all owners less than or equal to $58,399 per year?
- Income does NOT include SSI or Cash Assistance benefits.

You may be eligible if your property is in a Housing Development Fund Corporation development and is in the Division of Alternative Management Program. Your property cannot be within a housing development controlled by a Limited Profit Housing Company, Mitchell-Lama, Limited Dividend Housing Company, or redevelopment company. Contact your property manager if you are not sure.

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. What You Need to Include

3. What you need to include

It’s important to include the right documents when you apply. Your documents show whether the program is right for you.

This page can help you choose the right documents for your application.

For each income source of each income earner, any one document:

Wages & Salary

Income tax return
W-2 form

Unemployment Income

1099-G

Social Security benefits (SSI, Dependent, Disability, Survivor’s, or Retirement)

Correspondence from Social Security Administration
Current award letter or certificate
Current benefit check

Pensions, Annuities, or IRA

1099-R

Interest, Dividends, Royalties

1099-DIV
1099-INT

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4. How to Apply

4. How to apply

Here are your options.

Apply online by March 15th for benefits to begin on July 1st. If March 15 falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline is the next business day.
If you live in a co-op, you can apply online using the DHE co-ops application.
Use your address or borough, block and lot (BBL), or property address to find your property and start filing the form.

Apply Online

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A property tax break for disabled New Yorkers