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Disability Rent Increase Exemption
Rent freeze for people with disabilities
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If this doesn't work
- Call NYC 311 — the City can point you to other options.
What this program is
DRIE helps keep your rent the same if you receive a qualifying disability benefit.
Who can get it
To qualify for DRIE, you'll need to meet basic requirements, live in certain types of apartments, and receive a qualifying disability benefit.
Basic requirements
- You're 18 years old or older
- Your name is on the lease
- Your household income is $50,000 or less per year
- You spend more than one-third of your monthly income on rent
Where you live
- Rent stabilized apartment
- Rent controlled apartment
- Mitchell-Lama development
- Limited Dividend development
- Redevelopment company development
- Housing Development Fund Company (HDFC) Cooperative development
- Section 213 Cooperative unit
- Rent-regulated hotel or single-room occupancy unit
Qualifying disability benefits
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- Veterans Affairs (VA) disability pension or compensation
- Disability-related Medicaid
Heads up
- Even if your landlord raises the rent, you keep paying what you were paying before. Your landlord gets a tax credit to cover the difference.
- What you need to know:
- Renew your DRIE enrollment each year to keep your rent frozen
- You're not required to file taxes to qualify
- You don't need your landlord's permission to apply
- The NYC Rent Freeze program also offersthe Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) (https://access.nyc.gov/programs/senior-citizens-rent-increase-exemption) for seniors 62 and older
How to apply
Online
Applying for the first time? Apply online (https://www1.nyc.gov/site/rentfreeze/tools/nyc-tap.page).
Schedule a virtual appointment (https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/finance/jump/dof-appointments.html) for help with applying.
By mail
Applying for the first time? Print an application at home, pick one up from a DRIE Assistance Center, or call 311 to request one.
Mail completed applications and supporting documents to
Rent Freeze Program DRIE
P.O. Box 3179
Union, NJ 07083
In-person
Find a Department of Finance Assistance Center (https://www1.nyc.gov/site/rentfreeze/help/help-temporary-centers.page) near you to apply. You may need to schedule an appointment to visit a center.
By phone
Live in a Housing Development Fund Company (HDFC) apartment? Call HPD at 212-863-8494 to apply.
Online
Applying for the first time? The fastest way to apply is online through the NYC Tenant Access Portal (https://www.nyc.gov/site/rentfreeze/tools/nyc-tap.page).
Schedule a virtual appointment (https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/finance/jump/dof-appointments.html) for help with your application.
In person
Apply at a Department of Finance Assistance Center (https://www1.nyc.gov/site/rentfreeze/help/help-temporary-centers.page). You may need to schedule an appointment.
By mail
Applying for the first time? Print an application at home (https://www.nyc.gov/site/rentfreeze/apply/apply-renew.page) (available in multiple languages) or call 311 to request one.
Mail completed applications and supporting documents to:
Rent Freeze Program DRIE
P.O. Box 3179
Union, NJ 07083
What to bring
When you apply, have copies of these documents ready:
- Proof of identity and age: Government-issued ID (passport, driver's license, state ID)
- Proof of where you live: Current lease, recent rent receipt or payment confirmation
- Proof of income: Last year's tax return, W-2s, pay stubs, and benefit letters for all household members
- Proof of your disability benefit: Award letter from SSI, SSDI, VA, or Medicaid
Get help
Learn more online
Visit the NYC Rent Freeze Program website (http://www1.nyc.gov/site/rentfreeze/index.page) for more information.
Call 311
Ask about DRIE.
Source and last updated
- Source
- NYC Benefits Platform (kvhd-5fmu) View dataset
- Agency
- NYC Department of Finance (DOF)
- Updated
- Source: May 12, 2026 · Synced August 18, 2026
How we verified this
Source record ID: P005en · S2R005
WayMakr shows only what this source publishes. Program details are not attached to specific facility listings unless a relationship has been verified.