Senior Citizens Rent Exemption Legislation

SENATOR JOSEPH P. ADDABBO, JR.
ANNOUNCES SENATE PASSAGE OF SENIOR CITIZENS RENT EXEMPTION LEGISLATION
 
Law excludes certain medical expenses from income.
 
State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens) today announced the passage
of legislation that will make more senior citizens eligible for the Senior
Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program.
 
“As a member of the Senate Standing Committee on Aging, I wholeheartedly
supported this legislation because I believe that it is yet another step in
recognizing and addressing the fact that our seniors are suffering greatly,
particularly in the weak economy”, said Senator Addabbo. “This proposal
would deduct the amount of any unreimbursed out-of-pocket medical and
prescription drug expenses from their annual income”.
 
The legislation, which passed the Senate on June 2, would exclude all
medical and prescription drug expenses not reimbursed or paid for by
insurance, from the definition of “income” for the purpose of determining
eligibility for the SCRIE program.
 
“SCRIE benefits tens of thousands of seniors all across New York City",
Senator Addabbo explained. Under this expanded program, when a landlord
raises the rent, seniors enrolled in SCRIE are exempt from such increases.
Instead, the landlord receives an equivalent credit on his or her property
taxes”.
 
The legislation, which passed the Assembly on April 27th, now goes to the
Governor for consideration.
 
“We want to help people remain in the communities they know and love. To
succeed, we must work to ensure that our seniors are not overburdened with
increased housing expenses”, said Senator Addabbo. “SCRIE is one of the
best programs we have for our seniors and I am very pleased that we are
working to expand eligibility to benefit even more people”.