Am I able to freeze my rent through the SCRIE/DRIE housing program?

What is SCRIE and DRIE?

The Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) and the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) are housing subsidy programs that allow seniors and people with qualifying disabilities in affordable housing to freeze their rents and protect them from future increases. Tenants can keep paying what they were paying even if their landlord increases the rent. The landlord gets a property tax credit that covers the difference between the new and original rent amount.

NOTE: As of July 1, 2026, the maximum household income limit to be eligible for the program INCREASED from $50,000 to $75,000.

Am I eligible?

Below are the eligibility requirements for the SCRIE and DRIE programs. For more information or to check your eligibility, visit https://www.nyc.gov/site/rentfreeze/index.page. 

SCRIE Eligibility:

• Be at least 62 years old
• Have a combined household income of less than $75,000
• Be spending more than 1/3 of combined household income on rent
• Be named on the lease of a rent-controlled, rent-regulated, or rent-stabilized apartment (Please note that tenants who wish to apply for SCRIE but reside in HDFC or Mitchell-Lama apartments must contact/apply through HPD)

DRIE Eligibility:

• Be at least 18 years old;
• Receive SSI or SSD income or other disability-related income
• Have a combined household income of less than $75,000
• Be spending more than 1/3 of combined household income on rent
• Be named on the lease of a rent-controlled, rent-regulated, or rent-stabilized apartment, or HDFC, or Mitchell-Lama development

Which apartment types are not eligible? 

• If your apartment is not rent-regulated (fair market rent), you are not eligible
• If your apartment is a cooperative that is not rent-regulated, you are not eligible 
• If your apartment is located in a building with a mortgage that was federally insured under Section 213 of the National Housing Act or is owned by a Limited Profit Housing Company or Limited Dividend Housing Company (Mitchell-Lama development), Redevelopment Company or Housing Development Fund Company (HDFC) incorporated under New York State’s Private Finance Housing Law, you must contact the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) to apply for SCRIE. For applications or more information, please call (212) 863-8494 or visit www.nyc.gov/hpd
• If you live in a one-, two-, or three-family home, you are not eligible
• If you have a sublease, you are not eligible.
• If you live outside of New York City, you are not eligible

How do I apply?

The SCRIE and DRIE initial and renewal applications have been consolidated into one form, with the following documents required as detailed:

Initial Applications

• Proof of age
• Proof of income for the applicant and each additional household member for the year prior to the date of filing (for example, if you file an initial application in 2026, you will need to submit proof of income for the 2025 calendar year)
• Proof of rent (current and expired leases for RS apartments or a current Maximum Base Rent (MBR) notice for RC apartments)
• Power of Attorney (if applicable)

Renewal Applications

• Proof of income for the applicant and each additional household member for the year prior to the date of filing (as described above)
• Proof of rent (renewal applications only require current rent stabilized renewal leases or MBR forms, for example)
• Power of Attorney (if applicable)

Do I have to be a US Citizen to apply?

No, NYC doesn’t ask about your immigration status in the application process.

What else do I need to know?

• More about NYC’s Rent Freeze program here
• SCRIE/DRIE Frequently Asked Questions here
• Apply for SCRIE/DRIE online here or here

For free legal help, call Legal Services NYC at 917-661-4500 Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn more about our intake process here.

* The information does not constitute legal advice. You should always consult an attorney regarding your matter. Legal help subject to capacity and location.