What's happening
This bill requires improved outreach, application status tracking, and timely response processes for the senior and disabled tax abatement program.
Why it matters
Expands proactive outreach. By requiring comprehensive efforts to identify and inform eligible but unenrolled seniors and disabled individuals, the bill aims to close gaps in program participation—potentially increasing financial support for vulnerable populations who may not otherwise access these benefits.
Improves accessibility and transparency. Mandating multilingual and disability-accessible status tracking ensures that all applicants, including those with language barriers, disabilities, or no internet access, can monitor their application or benefit status. This addresses common challenges that can prevent participation or cause anxiety and confusion.
Establishes clear response timelines. The bill sets specific deadlines for agencies to acknowledge receipt, process applications, and notify applicants, which can reduce bureaucratic delays and uncertainty. Faster and clearer responses could directly impact applicants’ financial planning and housing stability.
Strengthens applicant rights and recourse. By requiring detailed written notifications—including information on how to appeal or address dissatisfaction—applicants are better empowered to challenge errors or unfair denials, supporting greater fairness and accountability in program administration.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Improve Tax Abatement Access
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Substituted by A6037
- Ordered to third reading cal.1935
- Referred to rules
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to aging
- Referred to aging
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Improve Tax Help for Seniors
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Donna Lupardo
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4567
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 17, 2017
Introduced by Sen. GOLDEN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Aging
AN ACT to amend the real property tax law, in relation to outreach, status and time limits relating to the tax abatement program for rentcontrolled and rent-regulated property occupied by senior citizens or persons with disabilities
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 467-b of the real property tax law is amended by adding three new subdivisions 11, 12 and 13 to read as follows:
11. An entity that administers the tax abatement program pursuant to this section shall implement and administer a program that develops outreach initiatives to identify individuals who meet the eligibility criteria for the tax abatement program who are not participating in the program and ensure that they have information regarding the tax abatement program. Such outreach program may include, but shall not be limited to, mailings, advertisements, public service announcements, literature dissemination, internet technology, social media, community outreach, and partnerships with other municipal entities and agencies. An entity that administers the tax abatement program may consult with any other person or entity deemed pertinent to develop the outreach initiative.
12. Any municipality that adopts a local law, resolution, or ordinance pursuant to subdivision two of this section shall develop a program to allow applicants and participants to ascertain the status of any tax abatement or the status of any form that has been filed by such applicant or participant on the applicant or participant's behalf pursuant to this section. Such program shall include provisions to ensure that applicants and participants whose primary language is not English, who may have communication restrictions due to partial or total blindness,
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06951-01-7
S. 4567 2
deafness, speech impediment, or cognitive impairment, and/or who lack access to the internet may ascertain such status.
13. a. Within ten days of receiving any form for application, renewal, or adjustment of abatement for the tax abatement program, a letter acknowledging receipt of such form shall be sent to the applicant. Such letter shall include the date the form was received.
b. Within thirty days of the receipt of an application or renewal application from an applicant, the entity that administers the tax abatement program shall approve the application or renewal application for the tax abatement program, deny the application or renewal application for the tax abatement program, or request further information or documentation from the applicant. If a request is made for further information or documentation, the entity that administers the tax abatement program shall have fifteen days after such information or documentation requested is received by the entity to either approve or deny the application or renewal application.
c. Within thirty days of the receipt of any form other than an application or renewal application form from an applicant, the entity that administers the program shall act on such form.
d. Within ten days of approving or rejecting an application or renewal application pursuant to paragraph b of this subdivision or acting upon any other form pursuant to paragraph c of this subdivision, a written notification shall be sent to the individual who made such application or renewal application or sent such form. Such written notification shall include the action taken by the entity administering the tax abatement program, the date such action was taken, what recourse is available should the individual be dissatisfied with such action, and how to pursue the recourse available.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately, provided, however, that the amendments to section 467-b of the real property tax law made by section one of this act shall not affect the expiration of such section and shall be deemed to expire therewith.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the real property tax law, in relation to outreach, status and time limits relating to the tax abatement program for rent-controlled and rent-regulated property occupied by senior citizens or persons with disabilities
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill would require municipalities that have the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) and Disabled Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) programs to conduct outreach in the community to ensure individuals who may be eligible are aware that they can apply.
This bill would also require implementation of a mechanism for applicants and participant to determine the status of their exemptions and would set time limits within which the municipal agency operating the program must respond to applicants and participants when forms are submitted.
Read the full memo (633 words)
Summary of provisions
Section one of this bill amends section 467-b of the Real Property Tax Law to add three new subdivision, 11, 12, and 13. This section has three main parts that would:
*Require any entity that operates the SCRIE/DRIE program to implement a program of outreach initiatives in the community to encourage individuals who may be eligible to apply for the program;
*Require the development of a mechanism applicants and participants could use to determine the status of their exemptions and any forms they have filed; and
*Set specific time limits within which the municipal agency operating the SCRIE/DRIE program would be required to act. The agency would be required to send an acknowledgement of the receipt of a form within ten days of receiving the form. The agency then would have thirty days to act on the form by either approving or rejecting the form or requesting further information. If a request for further information were issued, the agency would have fifteen days to act on the form once the additional information was received.
Section 2 of this bill provides that this act shall take effect immediately, provided, however, that the amendments to section 467-b of the Real Property Tax Law made by section one of this act shall not affect the expiration of such section and shall be deemed to expire therewith.
Justification
SCRIE is an extremely important benefit for seniors and persons with disabilities living on fixed incomes when costs are rising for everything from housing to medications to food. Unfortunately, many seniors and persons with disabilities who could be receiving a break on their rent through this program do not even know it exists. It is very important that we get the word out so that those who need the benefit can apply.
Also, time and again we hear that applicants don't know the status of their applications as they wait for months or send in multiple applications in the hopes of hearing back. Participants also have problems with their renewals being delayed and their rent in danger of skyrocketing. A simple system to check the status of an abatement or form filed is important to make sure things are not lost and to avoid confusion. One of the most egregious situations faced by applicants and participants is waiting months to hear anything back regarding their paperwork. Many individuals face rent increases because applications are not processed in a timely fashion. Time restrictions are necessary to make sure applicants and participants aren't waiting six months or more just to find out the status of their paperwork.
Prior legislative history
2014: S.7057-B - Vetoed Memo. 530 2012: S.6592 - Senate Finance
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately, provided, however, that the amendments to section 467-b of the Real Property Tax Law made by section one of this act shall not affect the expiration of such section and shall be deemed to expire therewith.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.