What's happening
This bill requires agencies to mail renewal notices for SCRIE and related tax abatement programs at least 30 days before application deadlines.
Why it matters
Reduces risk of benefit loss for vulnerable populations. By mandating mailed renewal notices for SCRIE and similar programs, the bill helps ensure that seniors and disabled tenants—who may be less adept with technology or who move infrequently—don’t miss crucial renewal deadlines and inadvertently lose vital rent relief.
Addresses administrative consistency and accountability. The requirement for agencies to send physical notices creates a standardized process across municipalities, making agencies more accountable for timely communication and reducing the chances of administrative errors leading to lost benefits.
Strengthens housing stability and tenant protections. By safeguarding timely renewal, the bill helps tenants maintain their rent freeze or tax abatement status, supporting continued housing affordability and stability for populations at risk of displacement or financial hardship.
Recognizes accessibility challenges. The focus on mailed notices, as opposed to digital-only communication, acknowledges that many beneficiaries of these programs may not reliably use email or online portals, addressing equity and accessibility concerns for older or less tech-savvy residents.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Send SCRIE Renewal Notices
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.641
- Referred to aging
- Referred to rules
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.
Mail SCRIE Renewal Notices
In Senate Committee · Aging · Sponsor Jeffrey Dinowitz
Full text
3 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6961
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
November 29, 2017
Introduced by Sen. ALCANTARA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the real property tax law, in relation to renewal notices for applications under the SCRIE program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 4 of section 467-b of the real property tax law, as amended by chapter 442 of the laws of 2016, is amended to read as follows:
4. a. (1) The head of the household must apply every two years to the appropriate rent control agency or administrative agency for a tax abatement certificate on a form prescribed by said agency.
(2) Upon the adoption of a local law, ordinance, or resolution by the governing board of a municipality, any head of household that has been issued a tax abatement certificate pursuant to this section for five consecutive benefit periods, and whose income and residence have not changed since their last renewal application, shall be eligible to file a short form renewal. Such statement shall be on a form prescribed by the appropriate rent control agency or administrative agency and shall include the following: (i) a sworn statement certifying that such head of household continues to be eligible to receive such certificate and that their income and residence have not changed; and (ii) a certification to be signed by the applicant stating that all information contained in their statement is true and correct to the best of the applicant's knowledge and belief and stating that they understand that the willful making of any false statement of material fact therein shall subject them to the provisions of law relevant to the making and filing of false instruments and loss of their benefit, and that subsequent reapplication shall be as a new applicant.
(b) A tax abatement certificate setting forth an amount not in excess of the increase in maximum rent or legal regulated rent for the taxable
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03557-03-7
S. 6961 2
period or such other amount as shall be determined under subdivision three of this section shall be issued by said agency to each head of the household who is found to be eligible under this section on or before the last date prescribed by law for the payment of the taxes or the first installment thereof of any municipal corporation which has granted an abatement of taxes. Copies of such certificate shall be issued to the owner of the real property containing the dwelling unit of the head of the household and to the collecting officer charged with the duty of collecting the taxes of each municipal corporation which has granted the abatement of taxes authorized by this section. The appropriate rent control agency or administrative agency shall send a notice of required renewal to each head of household currently receiving an exemption under this section via United States Postal Service to their primary residence no less than thirty days prior to the application renewal date.
§ 2. Subdivision 4 of section 467-b of the real property tax law, as added by chapter 689 of the laws of 1972, is amended to read as follows:
4. The head of the household must apply each year to the appropriate rent control agency for a tax abatement certificate on a form prescribed by said agency. A tax abatement certificate setting forth an amount not in excess of the increase in maximum rent for the taxable period shall be issued by said agency to each head of the household who is found to be eligible under this section on or before the last date prescribed by law for the payment of the taxes or the first installment thereof of any city, town or village which has granted an abatement of taxes. Copies of such certificate shall be issued to the owner of the real property containing the dwelling unit of the head of the household and to the collecting officer charged with the duty of collecting the taxes of each city, town or village which has granted the abatement of taxes authorized by this section. The appropriate rent control agency or administrative agency shall send a notice of required renewal to each head of household currently receiving an exemption under this section via United States Postal Service to their primary residence no less than thirty days prior to the application renewal date.
§ 3. Subdivision 4 of section 467-c of the real property tax law, as amended by chapter 442 of the laws of 2016, is amended to read as follows:
4. a. (1) Any such local law or ordinance may provide that the eligible head of the household shall apply annually to the supervising agency for a rent increase exemption order/tax abatement certificate on a form to be prescribed and made available by the supervising agency.
(2) Upon the adoption of a local law, ordinance, or resolution by the governing board of a municipality, any head of household that has been issued a tax abatement certificate pursuant to this section for five consecutive benefit periods, and whose income and residence have not changed since their last renewal application, shall be eligible to file a short form renewal. Such statement shall be on a form prescribed by the appropriate rent control agency or administrative agency and shall include the following: (i) a sworn statement certifying that such head of household continues to be eligible to receive such certificate and that their income and residence have not changed; and (ii) a certification to be signed by the applicant stating that all information contained in their statement is true and correct to the best of the applicant's knowledge and belief and stating that they understand that the willful making of any false statement of material fact therein shall subject them to the provisions of law relevant to the making and filing
S. 6961 3
of false instruments and loss of their benefit, and that subsequent reapplication shall be as a new applicant.
(b) The supervising agency shall approve or disapprove applications and, if it approves, shall issue a rent increase exemption order/tax abatement certificate. Copies of such order/certificate shall be issued to the housing company managing the dwelling unit of the eligible head of the household, to the eligible head of the household and to the collecting officer charged with the duty of collecting the taxes of the municipality. The appropriate supervising agency shall send a notice of required renewal to each head of household currently receiving an exemption under this section via United States Postal Service to their primary residence no less than thirty days prior to the application renewal date.
§ 4. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law; provided that the amendments to section 467-b of the real property tax law made by section one of this act shall be subject to the expiration and reversion of such section pursuant to section 17 of chapter 576 of the laws of 1974, as amended, when upon such date the provisions of section two of this act shall take effect.
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 renewal notices for applications under the SCRIE program
Purpose or general idea of bill
To put in place a reminder mechanism for renewal for senior citizens enrolled in the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption Program.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. Amends subdivision 4, section 467-b of the Real Property Tax Law, as amended by chapter 651 of the laws of 1988. Requires that the appropriate rent control agency or administrative agency shall send a notice of required renewal to each head of household receiving SCRIE via US Mail no less than 30 days prior to expiration.
Section 2. Amends subdivision 4, section 467-b of the Real Property Tax Law, as added by chapter 689 of the laws of 1972. Requires that the appropriate rent control agency or administrative agency shall send a notice of required renewal to each head of household receiving SCRIE via US Mail no less than 30 days prior to expiration.
Section 3. Amends subdivision 4, section 467-c of the Real Property Tax law, as added by chapter 208 of the laws of 1975. Requires that the appropriate rent control agency or administrative agency shall send a notice of required renewal to each head of household receiving SCRIE via US Mail no less than 30 days prior to expiration.
Section 4. Effective Date.
Existing law
None
Justification
The Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption Program provides much needed assistance to senior citizens in New York City by supplementing their rent payments, thereby keeping them in their homes and out of nursing homes. When this program was initially instituted it was administered by the New York City Department for the Aging. The administration of the SCRIE program has been transferred to the Finance Department, which does not have the capacity to assist seniors in the application and renewal process for this program. As a result many recipients have missed their renewal deadlines and have been forced to endure reapplication processes and in some cases a suspension of benefits. This bill is designed to make the renewal process simpler by putting in place a mechanism to remind eligible seniors to renew their benefits before they expire.
Prior legislative history
2016: S.465-REFERRED TO AGING/A1087-passed assembly 2015: S.465- REFERRED TO AGING/A1087- passed assembly 2014: S.16A - Referred to Aging/A.350A - Passed Assembly 2013: S.16A - Amend and Recommit to Finance/A.350 - Passed Assembly 2012: S.482A - Referred to Aging/A.473A Referred to Aging 2011: S.482A - Reported and Committed to Finance/A.473A - Reported, Referred to Ways and Means 2010: S.6853 - Passed Senate/A.9932 Reported, Referred to Ways and Means
Fiscal implications
None to the State of New York.
Effective date
This act shall take effect 90 days after it shall have become law; provided that the amendments to section 467-b of the real property tax law made by section one of this act shall be subject to the expiration and reversion of such section pursuant to section 17 of chapter 576 of the laws of 1974, as amended, when upon such date the provisions of section two of this act shall take effect.
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