Rent freeze for people with disabilities
Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) | NYC Department of Finance (DOF)
1. 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.
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?
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
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
3. 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. For example, if you apply in 2023, you will need income information for 2022.
That you receive a qualifying disability benefit (and award letter)
4. How to apply
Here are your options.
Apply online
Complete the online application through the Department of Finance (DOF) if you are applying for DRIE for the first time.
You can get help applying to DRIE by scheduling a virtual appointment with DOF.
Apply by mail
Print and complete the initial application (or call 311 for an application).
Mail your completed and signed application along with supporting documents to:
Rent Freeze Program – DRIE
P.O. Box 3179
Union, NJ 07083
Apply in person
Apply at a Department of Finance Assistance Center. You may need to schedule an appointment.