DREI — the Disability Rent Increase Exemption — works exactly like SCRIE but for tenants with qualifying disabilities who are under age 62. If you receive SSI, SSDI, or certain other disability benefits, live in a rent-stabilized apartment, and meet the income threshold, DREI can freeze your rent permanently at its current level. This guide explains eligibility, how to apply, and how DREI interacts with other programs.
What Is DREI?
DREI is administered by the NYC Department of Finance alongside the SCRIE program. Once approved, your rent is frozen at the level you were paying when you applied. Future permitted rent increases are paid by the city to your landlord as a property tax credit — you never see them on your rent bill.
DREI exists because people with disabilities are often on fixed incomes that make rent increases just as destabilizing as they are for seniors. The program provides the same rent freeze mechanism as SCRIE but is accessible to tenants of any adult age who meet the disability and income criteria.
Who Qualifies for DREI?
You qualify for DREI if you meet all four of the following criteria:
- Disability: You (the head of household or spouse/domestic partner of head) receive one of the following benefits: Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), United States Department of Veterans Affairs disability pension or compensation, U.S. Railroad Retirement Board disability annuity, or Workers’ Compensation
- Apartment type: You live in a rent-stabilized apartment, rent-controlled apartment, or certain Mitchell-Lama or limited-profit housing
- Income: Your total annual household income from all sources is at or below $50,000
- Rent burden: You pay more than one-third (33%) of your monthly household income toward rent
There is no minimum age for DREI — it is for tenants of any adult age who receive qualifying disability benefits. If you are 62 or older and also receive disability benefits, you can apply for either SCRIE or DREI, whichever benefits you more (they are essentially identical programs at this income level).
Qualifying Disability Benefits
The key eligibility trigger for DREI is receiving a qualifying government disability benefit. The most common qualifying benefits are:
- SSI (Supplemental Security Income): Need-based disability benefit for low-income individuals with disabilities
- SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance): Work-history-based disability benefit for those unable to work due to disability
- VA disability pension or compensation: Benefits for veterans with service-connected or other qualifying disabilities
- Railroad Retirement disability: Disability benefits from the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board
- Workers’ Compensation: Benefits for work-related injuries or illnesses
You must be currently receiving one of these benefits when you apply. If you are awaiting a disability determination and have not yet been approved, wait until you receive your award letter before applying for DREI.
How to Apply for DREI
Apply Online
Apply through the NYC Department of Finance at nyc.gov/drei or through the combined SCRIE/DREI portal at nyc.gov/finance. The online application allows document upload and case status tracking.
Apply by Mail or In Person
Download the DREI application from nyc.gov/finance, complete it, and mail to the NYC Department of Finance or bring it to a Finance business center. Call 311 for the nearest location.
Free Help Applying
- NYC Department for the Aging: (212) 244-6469 — benefits counseling for all eligible New Yorkers including those under 62
- Center for Independence of the Disabled NY (CIDNY): (212) 674-2300 — benefits navigation for people with disabilities
- Legal Aid Society: (212) 577-3300 — housing and benefits assistance
- 311: Ask for “DREI application assistance”
Documents You Will Need
- Proof of disability benefit receipt: current SSI or SSDI award letter, VA benefit letter, or other qualifying benefit documentation
- Current lease or rent receipt showing your monthly rent amount
- Proof of income for all household members: benefit award letters, pay stubs if working, most recent federal tax return, bank statements
- Social Security numbers for all household members
- Government-issued ID
What Happens After You Apply
The Department of Finance reviews your application and notifies you and your landlord. Processing takes several months. If approved:
- Your rent is frozen at the level it was when your complete application was received — retroactive to your application date
- You receive a DREI eligibility certificate to give your landlord
- Your landlord receives a property tax credit for increases they cannot collect from you
- You must renew every two years when the Department of Finance notifies you
DREI, SCRIE, and Other Benefits
DREI can stack with other programs:
- SCRIE: If you turn 62 while receiving DREI, you can transition to SCRIE — the process is similar. You remain protected through the transition.
- Medicaid: SSI recipients are automatically enrolled in Medicaid in New York. If you’re receiving SSI and not yet enrolled, contact HRA.
- SNAP: Most SSI recipients qualify for SNAP food benefits. Apply through ACCESS HRA at a069-access.nyc.gov.
- Reasonable accommodation: As a tenant with a disability, you have the right to request reasonable accommodations from your landlord. See our reasonable accommodations guide.
- SSI/SSDI navigation: If you haven’t yet applied for disability benefits, our SSI/SSDI guide walks through the full process.
Frequently Asked Questions
I receive SSDI but I still work part-time. Does that disqualify me from DREI?
Not necessarily. DREI uses total household income from all sources. If your combined income (SSDI plus part-time earnings) is at or below $50,000, you may still qualify. The key is your total household income, not your disability benefit amount alone.
My disability benefit was just approved. When should I apply for DREI?
Apply immediately — the same week if possible. Your rent freeze is retroactive to the date your complete application is received, not to when your disability was approved. Every month you wait is a month of potential rent increases you could be protected from going forward.
I’m on Workers’ Compensation. Does that count for DREI?
Yes. Workers’ Compensation is one of the listed qualifying benefits for DREI. You must currently be receiving Workers’ Compensation payments and meet the income and apartment type requirements.
What if my disability benefit is terminated? Does my DREI end?
At your two-year renewal, you must show that you are still receiving a qualifying disability benefit. If your benefit has been terminated, you would no longer qualify for DREI at renewal. If you are appealing a benefit termination, contact a legal aid attorney about your options during the appeal period.
Can I get DREI if I have a roommate who is not disabled?
The qualifying disability must be held by the head of household or their spouse/domestic partner. Having non-disabled roommates does not disqualify you, but their income counts toward the $50,000 household income limit if they live in the apartment.
