Coronavirus (COVID-19) Alert

The Manhattan and Queens Assistance Centers are open for in-person assistance by appointment only. Customers can schedule an appointment anytime.

Need something else?

If you're applying for the program for the first time, visit the following pages for information and assistance:

If you're a current or former tenant of the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) or the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE), you can get information and help with the Rent Freeze Program.

The Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) administers their own SCRIE program for Mitchell-Lama residents and Housing Development Fund Corporation (HDFC) cooperative shareholders. If you are a Mitchell-Lama or HDFC tenant, you should contact HPD for help with SCRIE.

Call 311 for assistance.

If you need more time to submit an application or document or meet any other Rent Freeze program deadline because of a disability or physical or mental impairment, you may be eligible for an extension of time as a reasonable accommodation for such disability.

You may be eligible if you need more time to:

  • Apply or renew SCRIE or DRIE
  • Appeal the denial or termination of benefits
  • Apply for a benefit takeover after the primary tenant has moved or died

To request more time, you must complete and submit the Request for an Extension of Time form and include copies of any relevant medical documents.

Mail the form with supporting medical documentation to:

NYC Department of Finance
Attention: Rent Freeze Program
P.O. Box 3179
Union, NJ 07083

If you have any questions or need further assistance, contact the Department of Finance Disability Services Facilitator. Learn more on the Disability Access page.

Online

Download the SCRIE and DRIE Extension of Time Request Form.

By Mail

Call 311 to request a paper copy.

If you applied to the Rent Freeze Program and believe that you were wrongly denied benefits, or if you are a current participant in the program and believe that your benefits were wrongly revoked, you can appeal.

Along with a completed appeal application, you must include evidence to support the reason for your appeal.

Until your appeal is decided, you may continue to pay the rent listed in the most recently-issued Approval Order. Landlords must comply with the order and collect only that amount.

Submit the application and documents by mail or at a SCRIE and DRIE Walk-In Center. DOF will respond in 30 days.

By Mail

Mail to:

SCRIEDRIE
NYC Department of Finance
Rent Freeze Program - SCRIE
P.O. Box 3179
Union, NJ 07083
NYC Department of Finance
Rent Freeze Program - DRIE
P.O. Box 3179
Union, NJ 07083

In Person

Manhattan DOF Business Center
66 John Street (between Dutch and William Streets)
New York, NY 10038
Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Learn more or schedule an appointment at the Manhattan Business Center.

Queens DOF Business Center
144-06 94th Avenue (between Liverpool Street and Sutphin Boulevard)
Jamaica, NY 11435
Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Learn more or schedule an appointment at the Queens Business Center.

Call 311 to request a paper copy.

In Person

Manhattan DOF Business Center
66 John Street (between Dutch and William Streets)
New York, NY 10038
Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Learn more or schedule an appointment at the Manhattan Business Center.

Queens DOF Business Center
144-06 94th Avenue (between Liverpool Street and Sutphin Boulevard)
Jamaica, NY 11435
Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Learn more or schedule an appointment at the Queens Business Center.

When a Rent Freeze application is approved or renewed, both the building owner or landlord and the tenant will receive an Approval Order which will provide details about what the tenant is responsible for paying, the amount of the Tax Abatement Credit (TAC), and the exemption period. The order will also include the SCRIE or DRIE docket number. Make sure to keep the number for future reference.

The Approval Order includes:

  • The frozen rent amount
  • The amount your landlord will be credited
  • The benefit start date and end date

You can request a copy of an Approval Order.

Call 311 for assistance.

Permanent Loss of Income

If you have experienced a permanent loss of 20% or more of the combined household income that you reported in your last approved Rent Freeze application, you may apply for a redetermination of your frozen rent.

To have your frozen rent reduced in a redetermination of your benefit, you must:

  • Be listed as the SCRIE or DRIE primary tenant,
  • Submit the SCRIE or DRIE Redetermination Application,
  • Provide proof that you have sustained a loss of 20% or more of your combined household income as reported in your last approved SCRIE or DRIE application due to the death or permanent move to a nursing home of a household member or because a household member has permanently left the household,
  • Provide a death certificate or a letter from a nursing home indicating the move is permanent, or
  • Provide proof of legal separation or divorce, or an affidavit stating that the household member has permanently moved or left the household, along with proof of residency for any household member who has moved or left the household (i.e. lease, State ID, or utility bill with the new address).

A non-primary tenant who has been listed as a household member and who is applying for a redetermination must also submit a Benefit Takeover Application if the primary SCRIE or DRIE tenant has passed away or moved permanently to a nursing home.

Online

Download the SCRIE Redetermination Application.

Download the DRIE Redetermination Application.

By Mail

Call 311 to request a paper copy.

One-Time Income Increase

If you lost SCRIE or DRIE because an income spike caused your annual income to increase above $50,000 in the previous year, and your income has now decreased back below the limit, you can reapply for the benefit and have your prior frozen rent amount restored.

Income spikes are one-time events that can increase your income over the program income limit or cause your rent to be less than 1/3 of your monthly household income.

Events that cause income spikes include:

  • Mandatory lump sum distribution from an IRA
  • Lump sum payment from Social Security
  • One-time payment from any source that is considered reportable income on tax returns
  • One-time cancellation of debt

You may be eligible to restore your benefit under the income spike policy if:

  • You were receiving SCRIE or DRIE
  • You had an income spike
  • Your Rent Freeze benefits were revoked because your income exceeded $50,000 or your rent was less than 1/3 of your income
  • You now have a total household income below $50,000 and rent that is more than 1/3 of your total household income

From September 2016 and going forward, you can only have a total of three income spike events while you are on the program. If your income spike occurred prior to September 2016, you are not eligible to have your frozen rent restored. You may apply as a new applicant.

To restore your benefit, you must:

  • Complete and submit a new SCRIE or DRIE Initial Application in the calendar year following the income spike (for example, if your benefit was revoked in June 2018, you must reapply in 2019)
  • Include proof of income for all household members for the prior calendar year
  • Include available leases, rental agreement, and rent increase documents for the prior and current calendar years

The Department of Finance will review your application to determine if you are eligible to have your frozen rent restored. If eligible, your frozen rent will be restored at the time your application is approved. Once approved, your frozen rent is restored for future payments. You won’t be reimbursed for time when the benefit was revoked, even if you were eligible during part of that time.

For SCRIE initial applications, eligibility information, and list of required documents, visit the Rent Freeze Program for Seniors page. For DRIE, visit the Rent Freeze Program for Tenants with Disabilities page.

Pandemic Related Increase In Income

The Economic Impact Payments (Stimulus Checks) are not counted towards income eligibility for the Rent Freeze Programs. However, pandemic related unemployment payments are counted towards income eligibility for the Rent Freeze Programs.

When a primary Rent Freeze tenant moves or passes away, the Department of Finance (DOF) needs to be notified so the benefit can be removed or transferred to another apartment or household member.

Remove Benefit

You need to complete a Rent Freeze Program Change Form and submit to the Rent Freeze Program along with any supporting documentation for the following changes:

  • The primary tenant has moved.
  • The primary tenant has vacated the apartment due to a fire or renovation.
  • The primary tenant is deceased or has moved permanently to a nursing home.
  • Request to discontinue Rent Freeze Benefit.
  • Add or remove an additional household member living in the apartment.

To end a SCRIE or DRIE benefit (Rent Freeze benefit) because of a death, a member of the family or the landlord must notify DOF by sending a completed a Rent Freeze Program Change Form along with a copy of the death certificate to the Rent Freeze Program. The benefit will be revoked as of the first day of the month following the date of the death, and any tax abatement credits issued after the death will be debited back to DOF.

If you're the primary Rent Freeze tenant and have permanently moved, you must notify DOF by sending a completed Rent Freeze Program Change Form to the Rent Freeze Program along with a statement clearly indicating the date of the move. If you plan to move in the near future, you must state the date that you are leaving the apartment.

You should mail your completed Rent Freeze Change Form and supporting documents to the mailing address on the form.

By Mail

Mail to:

SCRIEDRIE
NYC Department of Finance
Rent Freeze Program - SCRIE
P.O. Box 3179
Union, NJ 07083
NYC Department of Finance
Rent Freeze Program - DRIE
P.O. Box 3179
Union, NJ 07083

In Person

Manhattan DOF Business Center
66 John Street (between Dutch and William Streets)
New York, NY 10038
Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Learn more or schedule an appointment at the Manhattan Business Center.

Queens DOF Business Center
144-06 94th Avenue (between Liverpool Street and Sutphin Boulevard)
Jamaica, NY 11435
Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Learn more or schedule an appointment at the Queens Business Center.

Keep Benefit After Move

If you receive SCRIE or DRIE and move to a different rent-regulated apartment, you may apply to move the benefit to your new apartment. To apply, you must submit the benefit transfer application after your move.

Please note that if you qualify to transfer your benefit, your frozen rent amount may be adjusted depending on the legal rent of your new apartment.

Online

Download the SCRIE Benefit Transfer Application.

Download the DRIE Benefit Transfer Application.

By Mail

Call 311 to request a paper copy.

In Person

Manhattan DOF Business Center
66 John Street (between Dutch and William Streets)
New York, NY 10038
Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Learn more or schedule an appointment at the Manhattan Business Center.

Queens DOF Business Center
144-06 94th Avenue (between Liverpool Street and Sutphin Boulevard)
Jamaica, NY 11435
Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Learn more or schedule an appointment at the Queens Business Center.

Take Over Benefit from Primary Tenant

If you aren’t the primary SCRIE or DRIE tenant but are listed as a household member and the primary tenant has died or moved permanently to a nursing home, you may apply to continue the benefit as the new primary tenant.

To apply for benefit takeover, you must submit the Application for Benefit Takeover along with the required documents within six months of the primary recipient's move or death or within 90 days of the date of the "tenant deceased revocation" notice from the Department of Finance, whichever is later.

If the household income has been reduced by 20% or more as a result of the death, the household can request a recalculation of the benefit. However, in the case of a benefit takeover, the redetermination can only be processed if the takeover is approved.

Mail to:

SCRIEDRIE
NYC Department of Finance
Rent Freeze Program - SCRIE
P.O. Box 3179
Union, NJ 07083
NYC Department of Finance
Rent Freeze Program - DRIE
P.O. Box 3179
Union, NJ 07083

Call 311 to request a paper copy.

Landlords can raise the legal rent in accordance with guidelines put out by the New York City Rent Guidelines Board, Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) or Division of Housing and Community Renewal (HCR).

They must issue valid, current leases to all rent-stabilized tenants, or valid, current HCR-issued rental orders to all rent-controlled tenants. For DRIE Mitchell-Lama tenants, landlords are required to provide a letter specifying the start date and the amount of the rent increase.

Recalculating Frozen Rent Amount

If you applied to and were approved for the Rent Freeze program as a new applicant after July 1, 2015, your renewal application is subject to a 1/3 income eligibility check. When you renew, DOF will recalculate your benefit based on your household income and legal rent to make sure the frozen rent amount is 1/3 of your income.

If:

  • 1/3 of your monthly household income is less than your frozen rent, then your rent will remain the same.
  • 1/3 of your monthly household income is greater than your frozen rent, then your frozen rent will be recalculated so it is equal to 1/3 of your monthly household income.
  • 1/3 of your monthly income is greater than your legal rent (before benefits are applied), then you are no longer eligible for the SCRIE or DRIE benefit.

Rent Increase and Lease Issues

You can get help from the New York State Division of Homes and Community Renewal with rent or lease renewal problems, including if:

  • If it’s been fewer than 180 days since your lease expired but your rent has been increased, or
  • You have legal actions such as eviction, or
  • Your landlord is charging the full rental amount because the 180-day grace period for renewing your benefit has elapsed

In general, tenants in rent-stabilized apartments must be offered renewal leases for one or two years.

An owner can refuse to renew a lease for several reasons, including:

  • The owner or a member of the owner's immediate family needs the apartment for their personal use and primary residence
  • The apartment is not used as the tenant's primary residence
  • The owner wants to take the apartment off the rental market, either to demolish the building for reconstruction or to use it for other purposes permitted by law

However, when the owner doesn’t offer the tenant a renewal lease for one of these reasons, the owner must give the tenant written notice of non-renewal by mail or personal delivery 90 to 150 days before the existing lease expires.

You can learn more about the laws for rent stabilized and rent controlled apartments and how to contact HCR for more assistance on the Rent Regulated Apartments page.

Renewal Lease Not Provided by Landlord

If you live in a rent stabilized apartment and can’t get a renewal lease from your landlord or managing agent, you can still retain your benefits at the current amount if you meet all of the eligibility requirements and submit the:

  • Certification of No Renewal Lease Form
  • SCRIE or DRIE Renewal Application
  • Proof of tenancy, such as a rent due statement from the current or previous month
  • Proof of address, such as a utility bill with your name from the current or previous month
  • Copies of rent statements or receipts as required

You can get the certification form online or request a paper copy by mail.

Online

Download the certification form.

By Mail

Call 311 for assistance.

The New York City Tenant Access Portal (NYC TAP) allows tenants and their representatives to access and update important information related to the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) and the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE), collectively known as the Rent Freeze Program.

Opening a NYC TAP account is optional. If you do not open an account, your Rent Freeze benefit will not be affected.

The Department of Finance is rolling out NYC TAP in phases. Currently, tenants who are enrolled in the program, and their representatives on file, can:

  • Apply for the Rent Freeze Program online (first-time applicants only)
  • View their application status
  • View benefit amounts
  • View benefit expiration dates
  • View their online applications
  • View and download tax abatement credit (TAC) reports
  • View notices sent
  • Check the status of documents
  • Check the status of appeals
  • View missing documentation requests for pending applications
  • Update contact phone numbers and email addresses

Registration

You must log in to NYC.ID to access NYC TAP. If you have an existing NYC.ID account you can use that to log in. If you do not have an NYC.ID account you can log in using one of the social media/email options or create an account.

Access the Tenant Access Portal (TAP).

Information on the registration process and using NYC TAP is available in users guides.

Download the Tenant Representative User Guide for current Rent Freeze recipients.

Download the Tenant Representative First Time Applicant Walk-Through.

Download the Tenant User Guide for current Rent Freeze recipients.

Download the Tenant First Time Applicant Walk-Through.

DOF updates SCRIE and DRIE tenant status reports on its website every week.

The report includes application status and information for current Rent Freeze Program participants and those active within the past year. It is organized by borough and docket number.

If you recently mailed an application, it may take up to 4 weeks from the mailing date for the application to be processed and for the status to be available.

Check your SCRIE status.

Check your DRIE status.

Call 311 if you need more help.

Landlords in the Rent Freeze Program receive a tax abatement credit (TAC) applied to their property tax bill in the same amount as the increase that the tenant is exempted from paying. The TAC is the difference between the preferential rent and the frozen rent amount that the program has calculated for the tenant to pay.

Online

DOF publishes a TAC report on its website each month. You can also view a customized report through the Landlord Express Access Portal (LEAP).

View the SCRIE TAC Report.

View the DRIE TAC Report.

Access LEAP.

By Mail

Call 311 for assistance.

If you believe the amount of the Tax Abatement Credit (TAC) is incorrect, you can request an adjustment.

Reasons for TAC adjustments include:

  • Maximum Collectible Rent (MCR) increase
  • Fuel Cost Adjustment (FCA)
  • J-51 reduction
  • Casado vs. Markus court action
  • Rent discrepancy, such as a lease adjustment or preferential rent

You can get the application online or by mail.

Mail to:

SCRIEDRIE
NYC Department of Finance
Rent Freeze Program - SCRIE
P.O. Box 3179
Union, NJ 07083
NYC Department of Finance
Rent Freeze Program - DRIE
P.O. Box 3179
Union, NJ 07083

Online

By Mail

Call 311 to request a paper copy.

The SCRIE and DRIE programs are identical. There’s no additional benefit to transfer from SCRIE to DRIE or from DRIE to SCRIE if you meet the eligibility criteria for both programs.

You can apply to transfer your benefits from the SCRIE program to the DRIE program if:

  • You receive SCRIE and have a disability, or
  • You're a surviving household member registered with SCRIE as a household member who qualifies for DRIE

 If you receive DRIE and are 62 or older, you can apply to transfer to the SCRIE program.

The application is available online, by mail, or in person.

Mail to:

SCRIEDRIE
NYC Department of Finance
Rent Freeze Program - SCRIE
P.O. Box 3179
Union, NJ 07083
NYC Department of Finance
Rent Freeze Program - DRIE
P.O. Box 3179
Union, NJ 07083

Call 311 to request a paper copy.

In Person

Manhattan DOF Business Center
66 John Street (between Dutch and William Streets)
New York, NY 10038
Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Learn more or schedule an appointment at the Manhattan Business Center.

Queens DOF Business Center
144-06 94th Avenue (between Liverpool Street and Sutphin Boulevard)
Jamaica, NY 11435
Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Learn more or schedule an appointment at the Queens Business Center.

If your SCRIE or DRIE record contains errors, or if your information or lease has changed, you can request an update.

You need to complete a Rent Freeze Program Change Form and submit to the Rent Freeze Program along with any supporting documentation for the following updates:

  • Correct a misspelled name or wrong apartment number
  • Add or change a name, phone number, or email address
  • Add or change a tenant representative

You should mail your completed Rent Freeze Change Form and supporting documents to the mailing address on the form.

Online

Contact the SCRIE program.

Contact the DRIE program.

By Mail

Mail to:

SCRIEDRIE
NYC Department of Finance
Rent Freeze Program - SCRIE
P.O. Box 3179
Union, NJ 07083
NYC Department of Finance
Rent Freeze Program - DRIE
P.O. Box 3179
Union, NJ 07083

In Person

Manhattan DOF Business Center
66 John Street (between Dutch and William Streets)
New York, NY 10038
Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Learn more or schedule an appointment at the Manhattan Business Center.

Queens DOF Business Center
144-06 94th Avenue (between Liverpool Street and Sutphin Boulevard)
Jamaica, NY 11435
Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Learn more or schedule an appointment at the Queens Business Center.

Call 311 for assistance.

In Person

Manhattan DOF Business Center
66 John Street (between Dutch and William Streets)
New York, NY 10038
Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Learn more or schedule an appointment at the Manhattan Business Center.

Queens DOF Business Center
144-06 94th Avenue (between Liverpool Street and Sutphin Boulevard)
Jamaica, NY 11435
Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Learn more or schedule an appointment at the Queens Business Center.

Call 311 for assistance.

In Person

Manhattan DOF Business Center
66 John Street (between Dutch and William Streets)
New York, NY 10038
Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Learn more or schedule an appointment at the Manhattan Business Center.

Queens DOF Business Center
144-06 94th Avenue (between Liverpool Street and Sutphin Boulevard)
Jamaica, NY 11435
Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Learn more or schedule an appointment at the Queens Business Center.

If you have contacted DOF to get an answer or solve a problem with a SCRIE or DRIE application or benefit but have not been able to get the information or solution you requested, you can speak to the SCRIE and DRIE Ombudspersons to see if there are any other options. Landlords may also contact them on behalf of their tenants, but the same requirements would apply.

If you meet one of the following categories you can contact the Ombudspersons even if you did not previously contact DOF:

  • An application or benefit has been denied or revoked and the applicant (or tenant representative) would like assistance in understanding or appealing the denial or revocation; or
  • The situation is extremely urgent (such as a tenant whose landlord is threatening to evict or has started eviction procedures).

The Ombudspersons do not handle routine status updates on applications or other documents submitted to SCRIE and DRIE (unless you have already tried to get this information from DOF and have not been able to). This includes:

  • Questions about when you will receive a response from SCRIE/DRIE
  • Requests for confirmation as to whether submitted documents have been received by SCRIE/DRIE
  • Questions about whether your application is now complete

The Ombudspersons cannot:

  • Provide copies of SCRIE or DRIE letters and notices, such as letters of approval or denial from SCRIE
  • Assist SCRIE tenants who live in a Mitchell-Lama or Housing Development Fund Corporation (HDFC) building (the Ombudspersons can only assist DRIE tenants in those buildings)

The SCRIE and DRIE Ombudspersons can be reached by phone or online. You are likely to get a faster response by submitting your inquiry online.

SCRIE Ombudsperson

Online

Contact the SCRIE Ombudsperson.

By Phone

Call 311 for assistance.

DRIE Ombudsperson

Online

Contact the DRIE Ombudsperson.

By Phone

Call 311 for assistance.

Need more help?

If you have already contacted the Department of Finance about an issue and were unable to resolve it, visit the Taxpayer Advocate page to learn how to get help.

  Was this information helpful?   Yes    No