Makes certain tax abatement forms more readily available to seniors and authorizes certain entities to assist in the completion of such forms

BILL NUMBER:S6761A

Title of bill

An act to amend the real property tax law, in relation to making certain tax abatement forms more readily available to seniors and authorizing certain entities to assist in the completion of such forms

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill would encourage a decentralization of services and assistance related to the senior citizen rent increase exemption (SCRIE) and disabled rent increase exemption (DRIE) program by requiring that forms and assistance be made available to applicants and participants in the community.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1. This section establishes the definition of "supervising agency" as the municipal agency administering the SCRIE/DRIE program to simplify further changes to the statute.

Section 2. This section would require the development and implementation of a plan to make participating in the SCRIE/DRIE program easier for applicants and participants in the community. This plan would include:

*Partnering with community-based organizations and other municipal agencies to make forms and assistance with completing those forms available in community settings;

*Providing training for individuals in the partnering organizations in assisting with SCRIE/DRIE forms;

*Authorizing partnering organizations to accept forms on behalf of applicants and participants and file them with the supervising agency; and

*Making direct contact information for the supervising agency available so applicants and participants could call with questions.

Section 3. This section would make a corresponding change to the statute to ensure that the supervising agency would accept forms from applicants and participants filed on their behalf by a partnering organization.

Section 4. Effective Date.

Justification

The change in administration of the SCRIE program in New York City from the Department for the Aging (DFTA) to the Department of Finance (DOF) has resulted in a closed door system that makes it difficult for seniors to get help. The only contact information for DOF is 311, and their customer service window is in Manhattan. Seniors live across the city in communities where it is a hardship to travel to the next neighborhood, let alone another borough. Many seniors are frail and physically unable to travel further than their local senior center.

It is important that seniors not be excluded from the program due to the very limitations that cause them to need assistance. De-centralization of services and assistance will ensure that everything a senior needs to participate in the program is available in their community. They will have the forms and assistance they need to make sure they can fully participate in the program.

Prior legislative history

2012 S.6593/A.9204, passed Assembly

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

Immediately