SCRIE — the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption — is one of the most valuable and underused benefits available to older New Yorkers. If you are 62 or older, live in a rent-stabilized or rent-controlled apartment, and your household income is at or below the limit, SCRIE can freeze your rent permanently at its current level. Your landlord still gets their annual increases — but the city pays the difference. This guide explains exactly who qualifies, how to apply, and what happens after approval.
What Is SCRIE?
SCRIE is a New York City program administered by the NYC Department of Finance that exempts eligible senior tenants from rent increases. Once approved, your rent is frozen at the amount you were paying when you applied. Future rent increases — whether Rent Guidelines Board increases for stabilized apartments or other permitted increases — are absorbed by the city through a property tax credit to your landlord.
SCRIE is not temporary. As long as you remain income-eligible and renew every two years, your rent stays frozen indefinitely. For seniors on fixed incomes, it is one of the most powerful housing stability tools available anywhere in the country.
Who Qualifies for SCRIE?
You qualify if you meet all four of the following criteria:
- Age: You are 62 years of age or older and the head of household (or spouse/domestic partner of the head)
- Apartment type: You live in a rent-stabilized apartment, rent-controlled apartment, or certain Mitchell-Lama or limited-profit housing cooperative
- Income: Your total annual household income from all sources is at or below $50,000 — this includes all household members’ wages, Social Security, pensions, interest, and all other income
- Rent burden: You pay more than one-third (33%) of your monthly household income toward rent
How to Apply for SCRIE
Apply Online
The fastest method is the NYC Department of Finance online portal at nyc.gov/scrie. You can create an account, complete the application, and upload supporting documents entirely online.
Apply by Mail or In Person
Download the SCRIE application from nyc.gov/finance and mail it to the NYC Department of Finance, or bring it to any Department of Finance business center. Call 311 and ask for “SCRIE application assistance” for locations and hours.
Get Free Help Applying
- NYC Department for the Aging: (212) 244-6469 or 311 — benefits counselors can walk you through the application
- Your local NYC senior center — most offer free benefits enrollment assistance including SCRIE
- JASA (Jewish Association Serving the Aging): (212) 273-5200 — serves all older New Yorkers regardless of religion or background
- AARP Foundation BenefitsWork: 1-877-342-2277 — free help with benefits enrollment
Documents You Will Need
- Proof of age: birth certificate, passport, or government-issued ID with date of birth
- Current lease or rent receipt showing your monthly rent amount
- Proof of income for all household members: Social Security award letter, pension statements, most recent federal tax return, bank statements showing interest or investment income
- Social Security numbers for all household members
What Happens After You Apply
The NYC Department of Finance reviews your application and notifies both you and your landlord. If approved:
- Your rent is frozen at the level it was when your complete application was received
- You receive a SCRIE eligibility certificate to give to your landlord
- Your landlord receives a property tax credit equal to the increases they cannot collect from you — so they are made whole financially
- You must renew every two years — the Department of Finance will notify you when renewal is due
Processing takes several months. Your rent freeze is retroactive to the date your complete application was received, so apply as soon as you know you qualify — even while waiting for a decision, you are protected from the date you filed.
SCRIE and DREI: Understanding Both Programs
SCRIE is for tenants 62 and older. DREI (Disability Rent Increase Exemption) is a parallel program for tenants of any age who receive Social Security Disability (SSI or SSDI) or other qualifying disability benefits — and who are not yet 62. The income limit and eligibility rules are similar. If you have a disability and are under 62, DREI may be the right program for you. If you turn 62, you can transition to SCRIE. See our DREI guide for full details.
Other Senior Housing Benefits to Know
- SCHE (Senior Citizen Homeowners’ Exemption): Property tax exemption for senior homeowners — different from SCRIE, which is for renters
- Enhanced STAR: School tax relief for homeowners 65+ — apply through your county assessor
- CityFHEPS: Rental assistance voucher for low-income seniors at risk of homelessness — see our CityFHEPS guide
- NYC Housing Lottery: Income-targeted affordable housing with senior-preference units — see our housing lottery guide
Frequently Asked Questions
I just turned 62 and my rent was raised. Can I apply for SCRIE retroactively?
Apply immediately. Once approved, your rent is frozen retroactive to the date your complete application was received — not from when the increase happened. Future increases after your application date will be absorbed by the city. Do not wait.
My household income is $48,000. Does the whole $48,000 count against the limit?
The $50,000 limit applies to total gross household income from all sources, for all household members. However, certain income sources may be excluded or partially excluded — public assistance, SSI, and some disability payments may be treated differently. Contact NYC Aging at (212) 244-6469 or 311 to confirm how your specific income sources are counted.
What happens if my income increases above $50,000 after I get SCRIE?
You are required to report income changes at your two-year renewal. If your income is above $50,000 at renewal, you will no longer qualify and your rent freeze ends. Your rent will then be subject to normal permitted increases going forward — but you keep the frozen amount you had during your SCRIE period.
Can my landlord evict me or refuse to renew my lease because of SCRIE?
No. Retaliation for applying for or receiving SCRIE is illegal. Your rent-stabilized lease renewal rights remain fully intact. If your landlord takes any adverse action in response to your SCRIE application, contact the NYC Commission on Human Rights at (212) 416-0197 and a tenant attorney immediately.
I moved into a new stabilized apartment. Do I need to reapply for SCRIE?
Yes. SCRIE is tied to a specific apartment. When you move, you must file a new SCRIE application for your new address. Your frozen rent at the old apartment ends when you vacate. Apply at the new address as soon as you sign your lease.
