NYC SCRIE/DRIE: Income Ceiling Set at $75,000 Starting July 1, 2026

Starting July 1, 2026, New York State’s Office of Rent Administration updated tenant-facing SCRIE/DRIE materials to reflect a higher maximum total household income for rent-increase exemptions: $75,000. For NYC renters who qualify—seniors under SCRIE and tenants with disabilities under DRIE—this change affects whether they meet the income threshold used for the rent-increase freeze program.

Quick context: what SCRIE/DRIE does for qualifying NYC tenants

SCRIE (Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption) and DRIE (Disability Rent Increase Exemption) are rent-stability programs for rent-regulated housing. When a tenant qualifies and is approved, the program is designed to help prevent certain rent increases tied to the program rules from taking effect, and the paperwork describes how the rent-increase exemption certificate works after approval.

What changed on July 1, 2026

The key update is straightforward: in the updated forms and fact sheets, HCR states that, as of July 1, 2026, the total household income for SCRIE or DRIE cannot exceed $75,000.

HCR’s tenant-facing language also keeps a second requirement at the center of eligibility: for SCRIE and DRIE, more than 1/3 of the total household income must be paid toward rent.

Eligibility basics (in plain English)

• Income ceiling: total household income at or below the program’s maximum—$75,000 effective July 1, 2026.
• Rent-to-income test: more than 1/3 of total household income goes to rent.
• Program status: SCRIE is for qualifying senior citizens; DRIE is for tenants with qualifying disabilities (as described in the program’s tenant-facing materials).
• Not automatic: meeting the ceiling is necessary, but it’s not the only requirement described in the program materials.

Where the $75,000 threshold shows up in tenant paperwork

HCR’s Office of Rent Administration says multiple SCRIE/DRIE documents were updated to reflect the $75,000 maximum income eligibility level effective July 1, 2026, including tenant-facing materials such as:

• Annual Apartment Registration (RR-2A) tenant information: tenant-facing sections reference the updated $75,000 cap and the “more than 1/3” rent requirement.
• ETPA renewal lease form language (RTP-8 ETPA): renewal-lease paperwork reiterates the “as of July 1, 2026” income ceiling reference and again notes the >1/3 rent-to-income requirement.
• Fact sheets for senior and disability rights (Fact Sheets #21 and #20): these documents spell out the $75,000 “as of July 1, 2026” income cap and the basic eligibility tests.

What tenants should do next

• If you’re renewing or applying: use the updated SCRIE/DRIE materials referenced by your building or program administrator, and check that your household income calculation matches the program definition used in the HCR/ORA materials.
• Confirm both tests: review the $75,000 income ceiling and the more than 1/3 rent-to-income requirement together.
• Plan ahead: SCRIE/DRIE is not a guarantee of approval—these updates explain the eligibility thresholds and tenant instructions, not individual outcomes.

Sources

• HCR/DHCR Form RR-2A (2026) Annual Apartment Registration / SCRIE-DRIE notice language (sample)